SB251 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
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fee, criminal history background checks, penalty for violations increased, obsolete language removed, Sec. 34-26-20 repealed; Secs. 34-26-21, 34-26-41, 34-26-43.1, 34-26-62, 34-26-65, 34-26-66 am'd.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: SB251 updates the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology by clarifying its membership, adding inactive-license fees, and requiring fingerprint-based background checks for licensure.
What This Bill Does
It clarifies the board consists of eight members, including at least one member primarily engaged in teaching, research, or administration. It authorizes the board to charge an inactive license fee (up to $500) for placing a license in inactive status and an annual continuation fee (up to $500) for maintaining inactive status. It requires criminal history background checks for all licensure applicants, including fingerprints submitted to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and forwarded to the FBI, with the background information kept confidential. It repeals obsolete language and notes the act is exempt from local-funds approval requirements under Amendment 621 due to specific exceptions; it becomes effective several months after passage.

Who It Affects
Licensure applicants for psychology or psychological technician in Alabama, who must provide fingerprints, consent to criminal history checks, and pay related costs.
Licensed psychologists and psychological technicians who may place their licenses in inactive status and pay associated inactive-status fees, affecting their licensure privileges and ongoing costs.

Key Provisions
Board of Examiners in Psychology to have eight members, including one member primarily engaged in teaching, research, or administration of psychology.
Authorization of an inactive license status with a nonrefundable inactive-status fee and an annual continuation fee, each not exceeding $500, and reactivation required to regain licensure.
Mandatory criminal history background checks for licensure applicants, including fingerprint submission to ABI and FBI investigation, with confidential handling of background information.
Repeal of obsolete language (Section 34-26-20) and amendments to related sections; clarified constitutional exemption for local funds under Amendment 621.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

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