Tennessee § 63-11-207 - Qualifications and application to practice as examiner — Expiration of period to issue licenses — Certification of psychological assistants.

§ 63-11-207. Qualifications and application to practice as examiner — Expiration of period to issue licenses — Certification of psychological assistants.

Any person wishing to obtain the right to practice as a psychological examiner in this state, who has not heretofore been licensed to do so, shall, before it is lawful for such person to practice as a psychological examiner in this state, make application to the board through the chair, upon such form and in such manner as shall be adopted and prescribed by the board. Unless such a person has obtained a license as prescribed in subdivision (a)(1), it is unlawful for such person to practice; and if such person practices as a psychological examiner without first having obtained such a license, such person has violated this chapter. A candidate for such license shall furnish the board with satisfactory evidence that such candidate: Is of good moral character; Is a citizen of the United States; Has had two (2) academic years of graduate training in psychology, including a master's degree, from an accredited educational institution recognized by the board as maintaining satisfactory standards, or in lieu thereof, such training and experience as the board shall consider equivalent thereto. The board may, at its discretion, consider equivalent training and experience when presented by qualified applicants with a masters' degree in psychology whose credentials differ slightly than those prescribed in this subdivision (a)(3)(C). In such cases the qualified candidate must petition the board for a waiver and specifically request the board utilize its discretionary authority; Is competent as a psychological examiner, as shown by passing such examinations, written or oral, or both, as the board deems necessary; Is not considered by the board to be engaged in unethical practice; and Has not, within the preceding six (6) months, failed an examination given by the board; provided, that the board may, at its discretion, accept satisfactory substitute training and experience in lieu of that prescribed in subdivision (c)(3). No new psychological examiner licenses shall be issued for applications received by the board after December 31, 2004. The discontinued issuance of psychological examiners licenses or the designation of senior psychological examiners shall in no way impair or abridge the right of duly licensed psychological examiners to practice within the scope of their license or to renew their licensure status as required by law. Any person seeking to practice as a certified psychological assistant in this state shall, before it is lawful for such person to practice as a certified psychological assistant, make application to the board through the chair, upon such form and in such manner as shall be adopted and prescribed by the board, including, but not limited to, the proper registration with the board of the supervisor of record for the certified psychological assistant. Unless such person obtains a proper certificate as issued by the board, it is unlawful for a person to practice; and if such person practices as a certified psychological assistant without first having obtained a proper certificate, such person has violated this chapter. A candidate for certification shall furnish the board with satisfactory evidence that such candidate: Is of good moral character; Is a citizen of the United States; Is not considered by the board to be engaged in unethical practice; and Has had two (2) academic years of graduate training in psychology, including a master's degree, from an accredited educational institution recognized by the board as maintaining satisfactory standards, or in lieu thereof, such training and experience as the board shall consider equivalent thereto. Such graduate training must include specialized training in psychological assessment, test construction and measurement, the administration and interpretation of psychological testing, interviewing skills and social history methods. The board may, at its discretion, consider equivalent training and experience when presented by qualified applicants with a master's degree in psychology whose credentials differ slightly than those prescribed in this subdivision (b)(2)(D). However, all applicants must in their graduate training show evidence of supervised practicum experience in the administration and interpretation of psychological testing, assessment procedures and social history and feedback interviewing techniques as determined by the board in order to fulfill educational requirements for certification. Acts 1953, ch. 169, § 8 (Williams, § 7082.8); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 63-1111; Acts 1984, ch. 937, § 44; 1995, ch. 167, § 5; 1996, ch. 973, § 3; 1996, ch. 980, § 1; 2001, ch. 123, § 17. Law Reviews. Tennessee Civil Disabilities: A Systemic Approach (Neil P. Cohen), 41 Tenn. L. Rev. 253 (1974).