SB240 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
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fee, criminal history background checks, penalty for violations increased, obsolete language removed, Sec. 34-26-20 repealed; Secs. 34-26-21, 34-26-41, 34-26-43.1, 34-26-62, 34-26-65, 34-26-66 am'd.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: SB240 updates the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology by clarifying membership, adding inactive-status and background-check requirements, and removing outdated language.
What This Bill Does
It clarifies the board has eight members: one teaching/research/administration-focused member, five licensed psychologists, one licensed psychological technician, and one public member. It allows licensees to designate their license as inactive with fees (up to $500 for designation and up to $500 annually for continuation) and requires reactivation to regain licensure privileges. It requires fingerprints and criminal history background checks for license applicants, with the background information kept confidential, and directs ALEA to forward fingerprints to the FBI. It removes obsolete language, repeals a prior section, and notes an exemption related to local funds under Amendment 621 because the bill changes or creates a crime definition.

Who It Affects
People applying for psychology or psychological technician licenses in Alabama, who must submit fingerprints, undergo background checks, pay related costs, and may be denied licensure for disciplinary reasons.
Current licensed psychologists and psychological technicians who may choose to place their license on inactive status, paying designated fees and losing licensure privileges until they request reactivation.

Key Provisions
Defines the board as eight members with a specific mix: one teaching/research/administration-focused member, five licensed psychologists, one psychological technician, and one public member.
Allows an inactive license status for licensees, authorizes a fee not exceeding $500 for designation and up to $500 annually for maintaining inactive status, and revokes licensure privileges while inactive; reactivation rules to be set by board rule.
Requires criminal history background checks for all licensure applicants, including fingerprint submission and transmission to the FBI via ALEA, with confidential handling of background information.
Repeals Section 34-26-20 and removes obsolete language; updates several sections (34-26-21, 34-26-41, 34-26-43.1, 34-26-62, 34-26-65, 34-26-66).
Notes the bill may involve new local funds but is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it changes the crime definitions or creates a new crime.

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