La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LXIII-1101

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section LXIII-1101 - Conditions for Utilization of Assistants

A. Upon, or pending, employment of an ATAP, but prior to assisting in psychological duties, the Supervising Psychologist shall submit a complete application for initial registration, required registration fee, and documentation on such form and in such manner as may be prescribed by the board to demonstrate that the registrant meets all of the following criteria:

1. is 18 years of age or older;

2. possesses a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent;

3. is of good moral character as determined by a criminal background check conducted under the authority of R.S. 37:2356.1 and the provisions of this Part;

4. is not in violation of any of the provisions of the La. Revised Statutes Title 37, Chapter 28. Psychologists; or the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part LXIII; or any provision governing the practice of psychology under the jurisdiction of the board;

5. is qualified, or will receive supervised training commensurate with the services to be performed and is under the direct and continuous supervision of the Supervising Psychologist as defined in this Chapter.

B. Prior to the approval of any registration, the registrant shall initiate a criminal background check from the Louisiana State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information in accordance with this Part, and the criminal history records information report must be received and cleared by the board.

C. Upon review of the application, the board shall notify the licensed psychologist of record that the application and evidence submitted for registration is satisfactory and the registration has been approved; or that the application or evidence is unsatisfactory and rejected; or other pending status. If the application is rejected, a notice from the board shall include the reasons for the rejection.

D. An assistant to a psychologist may be dually registered and provide services under the direction of more than one supervising psychologist. A single application and fee shall be required if services are provided under a single employer or organization.

E. An approved registration shall be subject to annual renewal, during the month of July, and beginning in the year immediately subsequent to the initial registration of the ATAP.

a. The registration of an ATAP may be renewed if the psychologist of record submits to the board a renewal application and associated fee as prescribed by the board. The renewal fee shall be determined annually by the board and shall not exceed $50.

b. The registration of any ATAP that has not been renewed by the supervising psychologist during the month of July immediately following the initial issuance of the registration, shall be considered lapsed.

c. The registration of any ATAP that has lapsed due to failure to renew, may be reinstated in accordance with the provisions of section 1107 of this Chapter.

F. An assistant registered under the provisions of this Chapter shall utilize the title "assistant to a psychologist" also referred to as "ATAP" only within the context of their employment with a licensed psychologist or their employment within an agency or hospital while under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist; other titles an assistant to a psychologist may use include psychological technician, psychometrician, and other titles as approved by board.

G. An ATAP providing psychological services must be under the general and continuing professional supervision of a licensed psychologist. In order to maintain ultimate legal and professional responsibility for the welfare of every client, the supervisor must be vested with functional authority over the psychological services provided by an ATAP.

H. Supervisors shall have sufficient contact with clients, and must be empowered to contact any client in order to plan effective and appropriate services and to define procedures. The supervisor shall be present at the point of service, for emergency consultation and intervention.

I. Work assignments shall be commensurate with the skills of the ATAP and procedures shall under all circumstances be planned in consultation with the supervisor.

J. The supervisory contact with the ATAP shall occur in the service delivery setting, unless otherwise approved by the board of examiners.

K. Public announcement of fees and services and contact with lay or professional public shall only be offered in the name of the supervising psychologist; in all advertisements and descriptions of services ATAPs shall be clearly identified as being under the supervising authority of a psychologist.

L. Billing for psychological services shall not be in the name of an ATAP.

M. A provisional licensed psychologist may not supervise unlicensed assistants.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LXIII-1101

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Board of Examiners of Psychologists, LR 5:250 (August 1979), amended LR 36:1246 (June 2010), Amended LR 412620 (12/1/2015), Amended by the Department of Health, Board of Examiners of Psychologists, LR 49669 (4/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:2353.