Non-Licensed Persons Engaging in Activities Defined as the Practice of Psychology

PURPOSE: This rule defines the restrictions of non-licensed persons engaging in activities defined as the practice of psychology and any licensee associated with the practice of such person. (1) A person who does not hold a license to practice as a psychologist but who nonetheless may engage in activities defined as the practice of psychology under the provisions of section 337.045(3), RSMo, and any licensee associated with the practice of such a person, shall abide by the following restrictions: (A) Psychological Trainee. A trainee shall neither deliver psychological services nor be requested to deliver psychological services, but may participate in the delivery of services by a licensed psychologist. Patient records shall document disclosure of the psychological trainee’s status and reflect the activities of the psychological trainee. Training is part of the educational process and not an alternative to licensure; (B) Psychological Intern. A psychological intern may deliver psychological services, in accordance with the requirements of a degree program, under the immediate supervision of a licensed psychologist who has complete responsibility for the needs of the patient and the actions of the psychological intern. Patient records must reflect the activities of the intern and be signed by the responsible psychologist. Patient records must document disclosure of the psychological intern’s status and the responsibility of the supervising psychologist. Internships are part of the educational process, and are not an opportunity to practice psychology without a license; (C) Psychological Resident. A psychological resident may deliver psychological services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist who has complete responsibility for the needs of the patient and the actions of the psychological resident. Patient records must reflect the activities of the resident, and be signed by the responsible psychologist. Patient records shall document disclosure of the psychological resident’s status and the responsibility of the supervising psychologist. The practice of psychology by a resident is done under close supervision to ensure the protection of the public and to permit the profession to judge the qualifications of the resident. It is done to determine fitness for licensure, and is not intended to allow the practice of psychology without a license; (D) Psychological Assistant. A psychological assistant’s practice shall be under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Patient records must reflect the activities of the assistant, and be signed by the responsible psychologist. Patient records shall document disclosure of the psychological assistant’s status and the responsibility of the supervising psychologist. The assistant’s practice is for the benefit of the patients treated during a brief period of time between residency and licensure. Continuity of patient care is the sole purpose of allowing a psychological assistant to deliver psychological services. New patients should not be accepted during this brief time period. Practice as a psychological assistant is not an alterative to licensure. A psychological assistant who is not provisionally licensed shall file a Supervision Agreement with the committee prior to acting as an assistant. A person working in the capacity of psychological assistant who is not provisionally licensed may do so for up to two (2) years from the date of formal approval of the Supervision Agreement by the committee; (E) Qualified Assistant. The activities and functions of the qualified assistant are the full responsibility and liability of the licensed psychologist. Qualified assistants may not diagnose, interpret psychological tests, or perform psychotherapy. Patient records shall document disclosure of the status of the qualified assistant and reflect the activities of the qualified assistant. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to require a person who is otherwise exempt from licensure pursuant to section 337.045, RSMo, to act or otherwise serve as a qualified assistant; and (F) Provisionally Licensed Psychologist. The scope of practice of a provisionally licensed psychologist is limited by section 337.020.5, RSMo, and the applicable limitations placed on either psychological residents or psychological assistants, whichever classification applies to the provisional licensee. AUTHORITY: sections 337.045 and 337.050.9, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed April 8, 2009, effective Sept. 30, 2009. *Original authority: 337.045, RSMo 1977, amended 1981, 1989, 1996, 1998 and 337.050.9, RSMo 1977, amended 1981, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999.