HB307 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Patricia Todd

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Psychology, Board of Examiners in, qualifications and membership, inactive license fee, criminal history background checks, penalty for violations increased, obsolete language removed, Sec. 34-26-20 repealed; Secs. 34-26-21, 34-26-41, 34-26-43.1, 34-26-62, 34-26-65, 34-26-66 am'd.

Summary

HB307 updates Alabama's psychology licensing rules by clarifying board composition, adding background checks and inactive-license fees, and strengthening education, supervision, and reciprocity requirements for psychologists and psychological technicians.

What This Bill Does

It defines an eight-member Board of Examiners in Psychology, including one member who is a college faculty member primarily engaged in teaching, research, or administration. It requires fingerprints and FBI background checks for license applicants, with background information kept confidential, and creates a fee structure for activating and maintaining inactive licenses. It establishes a new psychological technician license with specific supervision and training requirements, and tightens degree program standards for psychology education, including residency and practicum rules. It also allows limited temporary practice for out-of-state licensed psychologists and during disasters, and outlines reciprocity and disciplinary standards for licensure across state lines, while noting a local-fund expenditure trigger that is exempt under constitutional exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Applicants for psychology licenses and current licensees (psychologists and psychological technicians) in Alabama — subject to background checks, fingerprinting, inactive-status fees, license reactivation rules, and limited temporary practice provisions.
• Colleges, universities, psychology programs, and students — must meet new program standards, residency requirements, practicum and supervision rules, and credentialing pathways for licensure.

Key Provisions

• Board composition: eight members total, including five licensed psychologists, one member from academia primarily engaged in teaching/research/administration, one licensed psychological technician, and one member of the general public.
• Inactive license designation: licensees may request inactive status with a board-set fee up to $500 for initial designation and up to $500 annually for continuation; all privileges are revoked while inactive, with reactivation procedures to be established by the board.
• Background checks: all license applicants must undergo criminal history background checks, including fingerprints; the Alabama Bureau of Investigation forwards fingerprints to the FBI; background information is confidential and used in license-denial decisions as allowed by law.
• Obsolete language removed and related amendments: repeals 34-26-20 and updates several sections (34-26-21, 34-26-41, 34-26-43.1, 34-26-62, 34-26-65, 34-26-66) to reflect new procedures and qualifications.
• Local funds exemption: the bill notes it may require local funds but is exempt from Amendment 621 voting requirements due to specified exceptions.
• Licensing requirements for psychologists: applicants must show good moral character, be at least 19, hold an accredited psychology doctorate, pass board-prescribed examinations, and not engage in unethical practice; reciprocity provisions allow licensure from other states with evidence of good standing and comparable credentials (CPQ/ABPP accepted).
• Examinations and reciprocity: the board may recognize CPQ or ABPP certifications and requires verification from other jurisdictions; applicants may be licensed in Alabama if meeting specified cross-state criteria and examinations.
• Temporary practice and out-of-state licensure: licensed psychologists from other jurisdictions may practice in Alabama for up to 30 days per year without a license, and there are extended allowances during disasters (up to 60 days per year) with proper notification; non-licensed practice provisions apply under certain conditions.
• Psychological technician supervision: requires written supervision contracts, scheduled supervision, disclosure of services, ongoing compliance, and at least six months and 500 hours of supervised training with designated licensed psychologists guiding the program.
• Degree program standards: psychology degree programs must be publicly identified as psychology programs, maintain clear authority, provide a two-year program with a one-year residency, include substantial graduate coursework (minimum 45 semester hours) and field experiences, and require practicum with specified supervision and competency criteria.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Psychology, Alabama Board of Examiners in