Procedures For Licensure

To become licensed as a Psychologist in Tennessee, a person must comply with the following procedures and requirements: (1) Any applicant for licensure or certification may visit the Board’s website or contact the Board administrative office to obtain an electronic or physical copy of the application. Applications may be completed online via the Board’s website or by submitting all application paperwork to the Board administrative office. (2) An applicant shall respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the application form. The completed application form and all fees required by the form and these rules shall be submitted to the Board’s administrative office. (3) Applications will be accepted throughout the year. (4) An applicant shall submit with the applicant’s application a signed passport-type photograph taken within the preceding twelve (12) months. (5) An applicant shall submit with the applicant’s application, verification of U.S. citizenship or legal presence in the U.S. pursuant to T.C.A. § 4-58-103(a)(2). (6) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request that the institution(s) of higher education submit the transcript(s) of all graduate course work directly to the Board office. The transcript(s) must show the highest degree(s) earned and must carry the official seal of that institution. (7) An applicant must comply with T.C.A. § 63-11-208(c)(1) and provide evidence of ethical practice as follows: (a) Such evidence shall be a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation. (b) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request letters of recommendation from individuals who have personal knowledge of, and can attest to, the applicant’s education, training, and performance. (c) All letters of recommendation must contain a statement specifying whether the recommendation is for licensure as Psychologist or Psychologist with HSP designation. (d) All letters shall be original letters dated within the last twelve (12) months, written specifically for the licensure application, and sent directly to the Board by the person providing the information on the signatory’s letterhead. RULES GOVERNING PSYCHOLOGISTS CHAPTER 1180-02 (e) For applicants at the Psychologist level, the Board requires letters of recommendation from three (3) Psychologists, two (2) of whom must be licensed. If the application is for HSP designation, two (2) endorsers must be licensed HSP designated Psychologists or if the endorser is from another jurisdiction, HSP equivalent Psychologist. (f) If the application is for licensure with HSP designation, at least one (1) letter must be from an internship director or supervisor in addition to the internship documentation. The letter(s) shall provide specific information about the types of clients and range of services provided as well as the nature of the internship or practicum site. An overall evaluation of the quality of services provided by the trainee must be included. (g) If the applicant for licensure with HSP designation is already licensed as a Psychologist at the doctoral level for five (5) years in another jurisdiction, then documentation verifying an APA or APPIC-listed internship may be sent in lieu of the letter(s) from the director or supervisor of the internship required by the preceding subparagraph (b). (8) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: (a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state or municipality, except minor traffic violations. (b) The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure by any state. (c) Loss or restriction of licensure. (d) Any civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity, or any other civil action remedy recognized under the country’s or state’s statutory, common or case law. (9) An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (10) If an applicant holds or has ever held a license or certificate to practice psychology in another state, regardless of the type or level of licensure or certification, the applicant shall cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Fitness (verification of license) from the authorizing regulatory agency which indicates the applicant holds or held an active license or certificate and whether it is in good standing presently or was at the time it became inactive. (11) When necessary, all required documents shall be translated into English and the translation and original document certified as to authenticity by the issuing source. Both versions must be submitted to the Board’s administrative office. (12) Reciprocity. The Board may expedite the review process of an applicant requesting licensure who holds a valid license in good standing in another jurisdiction, meets the criteria established by T.C.A. § 63-11-211 and: (a) Submits the completed application with the non-refundable application fee. (b) Submits supporting documents and proof of a qualifying doctoral program, a qualifying internship and supervised postdoctoral experience if application is made for designation as a health service provider pursuant to 1180-02-.02(2). RULES GOVERNING PSYCHOLOGISTS CHAPTER 1180-02 (c) Submits proof of a written examination score that meets the standards for licensure in Tennessee. (d) Submits proof of valid licensure or certification, including information regarding any disciplinary action, from the agency of another jurisdiction empowered with the oversight of the practice of psychology. (e) An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (f) Instead of submitting the documentation required in subparagraphs (12)(b) and (12)(c), applicants who have been continuously licensed in good standing for five (5) or more years in another jurisdiction may submit proof of current certification by the ABPP, or current listing in the National Register of Health Service Providers, or cause to have submitted a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) sent directly from the ASPPB to the Board’s administrative office. (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (12)(f) or T.C.A. § 63-11-208(d)(2)(A), under no circumstances shall an applicant for licensure by reciprocity with HSP designation be approved without successful completion of the qualifying internship required in Rule 1180-02-.02(2)(a) and the postdoctoral supervised experience required in Rule 1180-02-.02(2)(d). (13) Endorsement. (a) The Board may designate as a Health Service Provider any applicant who has held a valid license or certificate in another state to practice psychology and has practiced in that state for at least ten (10) years within the last fifteen (15) years preceding the date of application, as outlined in T.C.A. § 63-11-208(f)(1): (b) To apply for licensure by endorsement, an applicant who meets the criteria in T.C.A. § 63-11-208(f)(1) shall: 1. Submit the completed application with the non-refundable application fee. 2. Submit a Board-supplied form attesting to achieving a passing score on the written examination and the general equivalency of the applicant’s doctoral program, internship, and postdoctoral experience to the licensure requirements in Tennessee. The Board-supplied form may be obtained by contacting the Board’s administrative office, or by downloading it from the Board’s web page on the Internet. 3. Submit proof of valid licensure or certification, including information regarding any disciplinary action, from the agencies of all other jurisdictions empowered with the oversight of the practice of psychology that have issued the applicant a license or certificate. 4. An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. 5. Instead of submitting the Board-supplied attestation form, applicants who have been continuously licensed in good standing for five (5) or more years in another jurisdiction may submit proof of current certification by the ABPP, or current listing in the National Register of Health Service Providers, or cause to have RULES GOVERNING PSYCHOLOGISTS CHAPTER 1180-02 submitted a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) sent directly from the ASPPB to the Board’s administrative office. (14) Under no circumstances shall the ethics and jurisprudence examination be waived.