Tennessee House Bill HB0666

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/23
• Refer: 2/1/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, Chapter 11, relative to psychologist licensure.

Impact

The bill introduces a provision allowing the state board to designate a psychologist as a health service provider if they have maintained a valid license in another state for at least ten years in the prior fifteen years and have met equivalent training standards. This stipulation acknowledges the qualifications of out-of-state practitioners and aims to attract experienced professionals to Tennessee. Thus, it has the potential to enhance the availability of psychological services, particularly in underserved areas of the state.

Summary

House Bill 666 amends the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 4 and Title 63, Chapter 11, which pertain to psychologist licensure. The primary provision of the bill is the modification of licensure requirements, particularly the removal of a specific hour threshold for education and experience that was previously mandated. This change is aimed at streamlining the process for individuals seeking to become licensed psychologists in Tennessee, allowing for greater flexibility in the qualifications that can be accepted.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, the bill may face contention regarding the assessment of 'equivalent' training standards and the criteria for determining an individual's qualifications. The criteria set forth could lead to discussions about maintaining the quality of care in psychology, as some may argue that loosening the licensure requirements could compromise the integrity and reliability of psychological services provided in Tennessee. Additionally, there may be concerns surrounding the lack of a mandatory review of previous disciplinary actions, despite such a requirement outlined in the bill.