New Regulations Approved: Supervised Professional Experience and Registered Psychologists/Registered Psychological Assistants

On December 16, 2004, the Office of Administrative Law approved proposed changes to the board's regulations regarding the requirements for Supervised Professional Experience and registered psychologists/registered psychological assistants. These changes become effective January 1, 2005. Following is a highlight of the major changes being implemented:

SUPERVISED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (SPE)

• Prior to the start of the SPE, the primary supervisor and the trainee must sign a supervision agreement that identifies the following:
  • Capacity in which the trainee will be performing (i.e. intern, psychological assistant, etc.)
  • Starting date of the SPE
  • Anticipated completion date of the SPE
  • Duties to be performed by the trainee
  • Address of each location at which the specified duties will be performed
  • Goals and objectives of the plan for supervised professional experience
  The primary supervisor must maintain the agreement until the hours of SPE are completed. Once completed, the primary supervisor must submit both the agreement and a verification of the experience signed under penalty of perjury by the supervisor directly to the board. The board has created a sample supervision agreement and verification of experience form for your convenience. To view/use these forms, click here
• Primary supervisors shall ensure that a plan is in place to protect the patient/client in the event of a crisis or emergency occurs while the supervisor is not present.
• Primary supervisors must ensure that each client or patient is informed that:
  • the trainee is unlicensed and is functioning under the direction and supervision of the primary supervisor
  • the primary supervisor has full access to the treatment records in order to perform supervision responsibilities
  • any fees paid for the services of the trainee must be paid directly to the primary supervisor or employer