Other Psychology Board Laws and Rules

Question 0

“The practice of psychology” definition

Answer 0

Rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, or organizations, or to the public any service involving the application of psychological procedures of assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or amelioration of psychological problems or emotional or mental disorders of individuals or groups; or to the assessment or improvement of psychological adjustment or functioning of individuals or groups, whether or not there is a diagnosable pre-existing psychological problem. Practice of psychology includes the practice of school psychology. For purposes of this chapter, teaching or research shall not be regarded as the practice of psychology, even when dealing with psychological subject matter, provided it does not otherwise involve the professional practice of psychology in which patient or client welfare is directly affected.

Question 1

Psychologist definition

Answer 1

Any person who holds self out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “psychologic,” “psychological,” “psychologist,” “psychology,” or any other terms that imply the person is trained, experienced, or an expert in the field of psychology.

Question 2

Psychological procedures definition

Answer 2

Psychological procedures include but are not restricted to application of principles, methods, or procedures or understanding, predicting, or influencing behavior, such as the principles pertaining to learning, conditioning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions, or interpersonal relationships; the methods or procedures of verbal interaction, interviewing, counseling, behavior modification, environmental manipulation, group process, psychological psychotherapy, or hypnosis; and the methods or procedures of administering or interpreting tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characeristics, emotions, or motivation.

Question 3

School psychologist definition

Answer 3

Any person who holds self out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words “school psychologist” or “school psychology,” or who holds self out to be trained, experiences, or an expert in the practice of school psychology.

Question 4

“Practice of school psychology” means rendering or offering to render the individuals, groups, organizations, or the public any of the following services:

Answer 4

1. Evaluation, diagnosis, or test interpretation limited to assessment of intellectual ability, learning patterns, achievement, motivation, or personality factors directly related to learning problems in an educational setting.
2. Counseling services for children or adults for amelioration or prevention of emotionally related learning problems
3. Educational or vocational consultation or direct educational servcies. This does not include industrial consultation or counseling services to clients undergoing vocational rehabilitation.

Question 5

Licensed psychologist definition

Answer 5

An individual holding a current, valid license to practice psychology issues under the code.

Question 6

Licensed school psychologist definition

Answer 6

An individual holding a current, valid license to practice school psychology issued under the code

Question 7

Certificated school psychologist definition

Answer 7

An individual holding a current, valid, school psychologist certificate issued under the code

Question 8

When and how often must a psychologist register his/her license

Answer 8

On or before the 31st of August of each even-numbered year (a person licensed for the first time before August 31 shall register in the next even-numbered year)

Question 9

What documentation must be provided for license registration

Answer 9

A form with name, address, license number; continuing education information; other reasonable information asked for; a fee not exceeding $350 after fiscal year 2000. If license is not registered by September 30, it will be automatically suspended.

Question 10

Reinstatement of license

Answer 10

Within 5 years of allowing license to lapse, the board may reinstate upon payment of registration fee and late fee of up to $50, and completion of form. Fees and continuing education credits may be waived for psychologists on active duty in the armed forces.

Question 11

Changes of address and employment

Answer 11

Shall be reported to the secretary within 90 days of the change.

Question 12

Licenses can be denied, revoked, suspended or reprimand issued on any of the following grounds:

Answer 12

1. Conviction of a felony, or any offense involving moral turpitude, in a court of this or any other state or in a federal court
2. Using fraud or deceit in the procurement of the license to practice (school) psychology or knowingly assisting another in the procurement of such a license through fraud or deceit
3. Accepting commissions or rebates or other forms of remuneration for referring persons to other professionals
4. Willful, unauthorized communication of information received in professional confidence
5. Being negligent in the practice of (school) psychology
6. Using any controlled substance or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs the person’s ability to perform the work of a (school) psychologist with safety to the public
7. Violating any rule of professional conduct promulgated by the board
8. Practicing in any area of psychology for which the person is clearly untrained or incompetent
9. An adjudication by a court that the person is incompetent for the purpose of holding the license. In this case, it may be issued or restored only upon determination of competence by the court.
10. Waiving the payment of all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan that covers psychological services, would otherwise be required to pay if the waiver is used as an enticement to a patient or group of patients to receive health care services from that provider.
11. Advertising that the person will waive the payment of all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan that covers psychological services, would otherwise be required to pay
12. Sanctions shall not be imposed against any licensee who waives deductibles and copayments
    a. In compliance with the health benefit plan that expressly allows such a practice. Waiver of deductibles or copays shall be made only with the full knowledge and consent of the plan purchaser, payer, and third-party administrator. Such consent shall be made available to the board upon request.
    b. For professional services rendered to any other person licensed pursuant to this chapter to the extent allowed by this chapter and the rules of the board.

Question 13

What must happen before the board may deny, suspend, or revoke a license, or otherwise discipline the holder of a license

Answer 13

1. Written charges shall be filed with the board by the secretary
2. A hearing shall be had theron in accordance with Chapter 119 of the revised code

Question 14

What does the practice of psychology or school psychology include?

Answer 14

Use of the title “psychologist” or “school psychologist,” and/or the exercise of the professional judgments of psychological or school psychological diagnosis, psychological or school psychological prescription, or psychological or school psychological client supervision

Question 15

“Psychological or school psychological diagnosis” definition

Answer 15

the determination, after study, analysis and description, that a problem is a psychological problem

Question 16

“Psychological or school psychological presciption” definition

Answer 16

the determination of which psychological procedures should be applied for the prevention, treatment or amelioration of psychological problems

Question 17

“Psychological or school psychological client supervision” definition

Answer 17

the determination of when, in what sequence, and to what degree particular approaches for dealing with the psychological problem of the client shall be initiated, continued, or discontinued. It may include the evaluation and management of patients and psychological effects to determine if prescribed medications might be helpful in alleviating their psychological symptoms and referring a client to a physician for prescription medications if that is in the best interest of the client. When a client is on a prescribed medication, the psychologist may evaluate and monitor the psychological effects of that medication to determine the psychological effects of such medications on the patient, in a consultative relationship with the prescribing physician.

Question 18

A “consultative relationship” with a physician licensed to practice medicine means:

Answer 18

1. That when a licensed psychologist judges the medical problems of his/her client warrant medical attention, he/she will either determine that the client is under the medical care of a physician or offer to assist the client to obtain the medical help of an appropriate physician, and shall consult with that physician as the psychologist deems necessary for the client’s welfarre, consonant with the code related to privileged communication
2. Shall not be interpreted to imply that the physician is to supervise the licensed psychologist or is necessarily to be the source of referrals of patients/clients to the licensed psychologist
3. May include evaluating and managing the psychosocial effects of various medications on a patient who has been prescribed medications by a physician and reporting, as appropriate for the welfare of the client

Question 19

“Evaluee” means

Answer 19

A person evaluated by a psychologist or school psychologist pursuant to a third party referral from a court, other adjudicative body, or other agency or organization when the referring party might serve as the client for the purpose of recieving a report of services specific to the person(s) evaluated

Question 20

“Professional psychological role” means

Answer 20

1. exists when a psychologist renders directly or through supervision to an individual, group, organization, or the public any service involving the application of psychological procedures to the assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or amelioration of psychological problems or emotional or mental disorders; or the the assessment or improvement of psychological adjustment or functioning of individuals or groups, whether or not there is a diagnosable pre-existing psychological problem.
2. A professional psychological role exists when school psychological services are rendered and when psychological supervision or mental health worker supervision is provided.
3. Professional psychological roles do not include teaching or research even when dealing with psychological subject matter, provided that is does not otherwise involve rendering or offering to render professional services in which patient or client welfare is directly affected.

Question 21

“Telepsychology” definition

Answer 21

The practice or psychology or school psychology as those terms are defined in the code, including psychological and school psychological supervision, by distance communication technology such as but not necessarily limited to telephone, email, internet-based communications, and videoconferencing.

Question 22

When can non-psychologists use hazardous psychological procedures?

Answer 22

1. When consistent with their professions
2. Provided they do not hold themselves out to the public by the title “psychologist”
3. They do not use the terms “psychologic” “psychological” or “psychology” in describing the services offered (as this constitutes holding oneself out to the public as a psychologist even though the use of procedures under other names may be permitted)

Question 23

The following psychological procedures are a serious hazard to mental health and require professional expertise in psychology:

Answer 23

1. Psychological and school psychological diagnosis
2. Psychological and school psychological prescription
3. Psychological and school psychological client supervision
4. Sensitivity training
5. Confrontation groups
6. Hypnotic techniques for diagnostic, treatment, or other psychotherapeutic purposes
7. Individual intelligence testing, assessment of cognitive processing, or determination of individual intelligence
8. Personality evaluation
9. Individual and group psychotherapy
10. Psychological behavior psychotherapy such as, but not limited to, implosive therapy, aversive therapy, and desensitization
11. Couples and family psychotherapy
12. Psychological psychotherapy for sexual dysfunctions or disorders
13. Psychological pharmacological consultation, as defined in the code

Question 24

Exemptions from licensure requirements include:

Answer 24

1. A certificated or educator licensed school psychologist while practicing school psychology within the scope of employment by a board of education or by a private school meeting the standards prescribed by the state board of education or while acting as a school psychologist within the scope of employment in a program for persons with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities
2. A nonresident temporarily employed in this state to render psychological services for not more than thirty days a year who submits a board-prescribed application prior to practicing in Ohio and who meets the standards for admission to the psychology examination and who hold whatever license or certificate, if any, is required for such practice in his/her home state or home country; those who hold an active inter-jurisdictional practice certificate from ASPPB qualify for permission to practice
3. Any unlicensed person registered with the board to practice (school) psychology under the license of a licensed (school) psychologist, while carrying out specific tasks under the licensee’s supervision as an extension of the licensee’s legal and ethical authority
4. A student in an accrediated educational institution, while carrying out activities that are part of the prescribed course of study, provided such activities are supervised by a professional person who is qualified to perform such activities and is licensed as a (school) psychologist or is license eligible or license exempt as described in this rule. Such student shall hold him/herself out to the public only by clearly indicating student status and the profession in which he/she is being trained
5. A duly ordained minister while functioning in his/her ministerial capacity
6. A person in the employ of the federal government, including use of an official title, insofar as such activities are a part of the duties in his/her position
7. A person licensed, certified, or registered under a provision of the code other than this chapter, providing he/she is practicing those arts and utilizing psychological procedures that are allowed and within the standards and ethics of the other profession or within new areas of practice thar represent appropriate extensions of that profession and providing he/she does not hold himself/herself out to the public by the title “psychologist”
8. A person in any capacity who offers services of a psychological nature, provided he/she neither holds himself/herself out to the public by the title “psychologist” or “school psychologist” not utilizes any psychological procedures this board judges to be a serious hazard to mental health and to require professional expertise in psychology
9. A person using the term “social psychologist” who has an earned doctoral degree in social psychology or in sociology with a social psychology major, from a sociology or social psychology department of an accredited educational institution, and who has filed with this board an appropriate official transcript demonstrating possession of such a degree, providing that such a person does not engage in the practice of psychology as set forth in the code
10. A person who is teaching, even when dealing with psychological subject matter, provided it does not otherwise involve the professional practice of psychology in which student or client welfare is directly affected
11. A person who is conducting research in the field of psychology, provided it does not otherwise involve the professional practice of psychology in which student or client welfare is directly affected