Okla. Admin. Code § 575:10-1-2

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 575:10-1-2 - Requirements to become licensed as a psychologist

(a)Application. Persons desiring licensure as a psychologist may obtain official application information from either the Board office or the Official Board Website. Applicants are required to submit a non-refundable four hundred dollar ($400.00) application fee in the form of a personal or certified check or acceptable money order. A minimum of three references from licensed psychologists shall be required for each applicant. Board members shall not serve as references for applicants except to verify portions of completed training or experience.

(b)Consideration of application. The Board may appoint a committee to consider and approve, the request of each applicant to take the examination for licensure as a psychologist under 59 O.S., Section 1362. In instances where the applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within five years of the date of approval, the Board may destroy the application and all related documents.

(c)Doctoral programs. Applicants for licensure shall have completed a doctoral program in psychology that is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), unless the doctoral program meets any of the following exceptions:

(1) Areas where no accreditation exists. This exception applies to doctoral programs, within the United States, that are in specialty areas of professional psychology that are not accredited by the APA.

(2) New specialty areas of professional psychology. When a new specialty of professional psychology is recognized as being within the accreditation scope of the APA, doctoral programs within that specialty will be afforded a maximum transition period of eight (8) years from the first class of students to the time of accreditation. To be eligible for this exception the program must have a pending application for accreditation with the APA at the time of the applicant's application for licensure.

(3) New doctoral programs in specialty areas currently within the scope of APA accreditation. This exception is available to new doctoral programs developed in APA accredited specialty areas of professional psychology. A doctoral program is only eligible for this exception during a maximum transition period of eight (8) years from the first class of students to the time of accreditation. To be eligible for this exception the program must have a pending application for accreditation with the APA at the time of the applicant's application for licensure.

(4) Applicants trained in institutions outside the United States shall have completed a doctoral program in psychology that is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association or that is deemed the equivalent of a program accredited by the APA by the Board in its sole discretion. The Board shall consider, but is not limited to, determinations made by a foreign credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or from a recognized foreign credential evaluation service approved by the Board.

(d) All doctoral programs in 575:10-1-2(c) shall meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The doctoral program, wherever it may be administratively housed, must be clearly identified and labeled as a psychology program. Such a program must specify in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train psychologists.

(2) The psychology program must stand as a recognizable coherent organizational entity within the institution.

(3) There must be clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty areas whether or not the program cuts across administrative lines.

(4) The program must be an integrated, organized sequence of study.

(5) The program must have an identifiable psychology faculty and a psychologist responsible for the program.

(6) The program must have an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree.

(e)Practica and internship required. The assessment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and/or the treatment of individuals, couples, families, or groups with such disorders, by psychologists, requires a doctoral degree from an academic program designed to train psychologists to provide these services which integrates coursework and other experiences toward the goal of training psychologist practitioners. Practica and an internship experience are required.

(f)Evaluating doctoral programs. The doctoral program shall be documented in writing to the Board by official transcript. The official transcript shall document the name of the department granting the degree, the date of completion of the degree requirements, and the major program of study. A certified letter from the Registrar, with the above-mentioned information, may be submitted as documentation until an official transcript is available f or submission to the Board. Applicants trained in institutions outside the United States, besides those accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association, shall submit an evaluation of their doctoral program as described in 575:10-1-2(c)(4). All doctoral programs submitted for review under this subsection will be evaluated by the following criteria:

(1) Except in school psychology, the three academic years leading to the doctoral degree must include a minimum of two years of full-time, on campus, graduate study (excluding internship). In school psychology, the three academic years leading to the doctoral degree must include a minimum of one year of full-time, on campus, postmaster's graduate study as defined by the institution (excluding internship).

(2) At least forty-two (42) hours of the specified course work must be primarily psychological in content. The applicant must have a minimum of three (3) or more graduate semester hours in each of the following substantive content areas, for a total of twenty-one (21) hours:

(A) scientific and professional ethics and standards,

(B) research design and methodology,

(C) statistics and psychometrics,

(D) biological bases of behavior [e.g. physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation, psychopharmacology].

(E) cognitive-affective bases of behavior [e.g. learning, memory, perception, cognition, thinking, motivation, emotion].

(F) social bases of behavior [e.g. social psychology, cultural, ethnic, and group processes, sex roles, organization and systems theory], and

(G) individual behavior [e.g. personality theory, human development, individual differences, abnormal psychology].

(3) The remaining twenty-one (21) hours of specified course work may be in the foregoing basic areas or in courses pertaining to the specific program of study.

(g)Doctoral degree in area related to psychology not sufficient. The possession of a doctoral degree from an area related to psychology does not qualify one for licensure as a psychologist. This includes, but is not limited to, applicants with degrees in special education, pastoral psychology (or counseling), counseling and guidance, speech and hearing, and counselor education.

(h)Supervised experience. An applicant for licensure as a psychologist must have two years of supervised experience satisfactory to the Board. These two years of experience must be as a psychologist and in line with the applicant's major program of study for the doctoral degree. Supervisors may not be members of the psychologist's immediate family or other individuals with whom the necessary level of objectivity cannot be maintained. This will include, but is not limited to, spouses, children, siblings, and parents or anyone with whom the psychologist has an emotionally or sexually intimate relationship. Any experience gained under such supervision will be disallowed.

(i)General requirements for predoctoral internships. An applicant for licensure as a health service psychologist must have completed an internship experience pursuant to 575:10-1-6(b)(5). A predoctoral internship may be used to partially fulfill the two-year experience requirement for licensure. Under no circumstances may more than 2,000 hours of predoctoral internship experience as an intern be accepted. The predoctoral internship must be consistent with the major program of study in the doctoral program, which was documented in writing to the Board by the accredited institution [see 575:10-1-2(e)] . Predoctoral internships must be an organized program designed to provide a planned, programmed sequence of training experience. The predoctoral internship must provide a training experience in a range of assessment and treatment activities conducted directly with patients or clients seeking psychological services. The following are required for a predoctoral internship:

(1) At least 25 percent of the trainee's time must be in direct patient or client contact.

(2) training is at the post-coursework, post candidacy, post-clerkship, post-practicum, post-externship level.

(3) A written statement or brochure must be available which describes the goals and content of the internship, states clear expectations for the quantity and quality of trainee's work and is furnished to prospective interns.

(4) must have a clearly designated licensed psychologist, who is responsible for the integrity and quality of the training program, and

(5) shall be a full-time experience (40 hours per week) either for one calendar or academic contract year, or a half-time experience (20 hours per week) for two calendar or academic contract years (total of 2,000 hours, except for an academic setting it is 1,500+ hours). An academic contract year means the school year of the elementary or secondary school setting in which an intern is fulfilling the internship requirement.

(j)Supervision in predoctoral internships. Supervision must be conducted by a licensed staff psychologist who is trained in the applicant's major program of doctoral study, or a closely related program For school psychology internship, the licensed psychologist may be employed in a setting other than the school district in which the internship is situated. Supervision shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Interns must have experience with three or more licensed psychologists' supervisors (two or more for those in an academic setting).

(2) Supervision shall consist of an average of at least 10 percent of the full-time or half-time intern's week (200 hours, except in an academic setting where it is 150+ hours).

(3) At least half of the supervision (minimum of 100 hours, except in an academic setting it is 75+ hours) must be regularly scheduled, formal, face-to-face, individual supervision by one or more licensed psychologists with the intent of dealing with psychological services rendered directly by the intern. The remaining half of the supervision may be conducted individually or in a group by licensed psychologists as appropriate to the internship experience.

(4) The internship agency should have a minimum of two interns at the internship level of training during the applicant's training period.

(k)Hybrid Supervision. For internships and/or post-doctoral experiences, no more than fifty (50) percent of the minimum required hours of individual supervision and no more than fifty (50) percent of the additional required hours of supervision shall be conducted virtually.

(l)Postdoctoral experience. At least one year of the two-year experience requirement must be postdoctoral experience as a psychologist and in line with the applicant's major program of doctoral study as determined according to the procedure stated in 575:10-1-2(e).

(1) The postdoctoral experience shall be full-time (40 hours per week) either for one calendar or academic contract year, or a half-time experience (20 hours per week) for two calendar or academic contract years (total of 2,000 hours, except for an academic setting it is 1,500+ hours) of appropriate experience, or equivalent, for a period not to exceed three years. An academic contract year means the school year of the elementary or secondary school setting in which the postdoctoral experience is fulfilled.

(2) The postdoctoral experience must be under the supervision of a licensed psychologist(s) who was trained in the applicant's major program of doctoral study, or a closely related program, and who is currently engaged in rendering psychological services relevant to that training.

(3) Applicants must have received and accumulated 75 hours of regularly scheduled, formal, face-to-face, individual supervision from his/her supervisor(s) reasonably distributed throughout each month of the postdoctoral experience.

(4) The postdoctoral experience does not have to be in a private setting.

(5) Applicants completing their postdoctoral experience in an academic or clinical research setting, a minimum of two-years is required to fulfill the Health Service Psychologist requirements. An applicant is required to spend 50% of his/her time performing the following activities:

(A) Direct service/multiple client contacts per week (minimum of five clients) including service in an agency or university-based clinic, or in a private practice under supervision. Minimum for applicants in an academic or clinical research setting is 250 hours per year, for a minimum of two years, over the course of the postdoctoral supervision experience.

(B) Academic or clinical research setting applicants may also perform any of the following activities:

(i) Modeling and demonstrating clinical techniques, including assessment and therapy.

(ii) Supervision of clinical services, wherein the faculty supervisor assumes direct responsibility for supervisee's clinical work.

(iii) Conducting workshops or community groups or public presentations on mental health related topics.

(6) The postdoctoral experience of applicants who desire a Health Service Psychologist designation must also meet the requirements of 575:10-1-6(b)(5)(B).

(m)Examination process. The full examination for licensure shall consist of two component examinations:

(1)Objective examination. An objective examination in basic psychology, known as the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology ("EPPP"), all parts of the exam, as required by the Board.

(2)Jurisprudence examination. A jurisprudence examination based on the Rules of the Board, Psychologists Licensing Act, Code of Ethics and applicable Oklahoma Mental Health Law.

(n)Passing scores on examinations. An applicant is deemed to have passed the objective examination if he/she has obtained at least the minimum pass point designated by the developer of the examination. An applicant is deemed to have passed the jurisprudence examination if he/she has 70 percent of the total items correct.

(o)Notification of results. All applicants will be notified by mail of the results of each component examination within 30 days of the examination date. At the request of the applicant, specific information about his/her performance on any component examination will be provided to the extent the integrity of the exam is not violated.

(p)Re-examination. If either of the two component examinations is failed a total of four times, the application process shall cease. The former applicant may reapply for licensure by submitting a new application for consideration by the Board in accordance with the requirements to become licensed as a psychologist.

(q)Waiver of portion of examination or re-examination. Failure on either portion of the licensing examination will be considered failure of the entire examination for purposes of licensing; however, satisfactory performance on the objective examination or jurisprudence examination will be grounds for waiver of that portion of the examination for future reexamination.

(r)Confidentiality of exam scores. Exam results shall be kept confidential by the Board.

(s)Licensing by endorsement. Applicants for licensure by endorsement may only be licensed if they meet the requirements in 59 O.S. Section 1366(2).

(t)Post-Military Service Applicants.

(1) The Board shall consider the equivalent education, training and experience completed by an applicant while the applicant was a member of the United States Armed Forces or Reserves, National Guard of any state, the Military Reserves of any state, or the Naval militias of any state, and apply it in the manner most favorable toward satisfying the qualifications for licensure.

(2) While examining the education, training and experience completed by an applicant while the applicant was a member of the military as described in the preceding paragraph, the Board may consider, but is not limited to, determinations made by institutions of higher education based on the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education.

(u)Disqualifying offenses. Pursuant to 59 O.S, § 4000.1, the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners shall maintain a list of offenses under Oklahoma law that could disqualify a person from obtaining a license under the Oklahoma Psychologists Licensing Act (59 O.S. § 1351-1376).

(1) The offenses included on the list substantially relate to the practice of psychology and pose a reasonable threat to public safety. The list of disqualifying offenses is available on the Board's website or by contacting the Board office and requesting the current list. The Board may modify the list as needed to protect the public health and safety.

(2) Individuals may request an initial determination from the Board regarding whether the individuals' criminal history would disqualify that individual from obtaining a license. Such request must be in writing and directed to the Board. The individual must submit a copy of their criminal history and any related documents and court records that specify the criminal history of the individual. A ninety-five dollar ($95.00) fee shall accompany any request for initial determination. The fee shall be collected by the Board office prior to the determination.

(3) If an individual has a criminal history that includes offenses from another state or federal law violations, the offenses will disqualify an individual if the conduct would also be a crime under Oklahoma law.

(4) The individual may appeal the Board's initial determination of disqualification by submitting a request in writing of the circumstances the individual would like the Board to consider. The Board may discuss the individual appeals at any scheduled meeting of the Board. The individual may be allowed to address the Board during public comment by signing in at the beginning of the meeting at which the appeal may be on the agenda.

Okla. Admin. Code § 575:10-1-2

Amended at 9 Ok Reg 1593, eff 4-27-92; Amended at 10 Ok Reg 1861, eff 5-14-93; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 1881, eff 5-13-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1263, eff 5-11-95; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 2002, eff 5-27-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 1784, eff 5-11-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1239, eff 5-13-99; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 2640, eff 6-25-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 1752, eff 5-25-01; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1016, eff 5-12-03; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1815, eff 9-14-12

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 31, Issue 24, September 2, 2014, eff. 9/12/2014

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 24, September 1, 2015, eff. 9/11/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 33, Issue 24, September 1, 2016, eff. 9/11/2016

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 35, Issue 24, September 4, 2018, eff. 9/14/2018

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 41, Issue 23, August 15, 2024, eff. 8/25/2024