Please support Telehealth.org’s ability to deliver helpful news, opinions, and analyses by turning off your ad blocker.
Oklahoma’s Governor Kevin Stitt signed PSYPACT legislation (NC HB 297) into law on 4/29/2019, making Oklahoma the 9th state to enact the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board (ASPPB) model act known as PSYPACT.
Just a few days ago on April 23rd, 2019, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp signed GA HB 26 into law, making Georgia the eighth state to enact the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), thereby officially legalizing interjurisdictional telepsychology for states who have joined the PSYPACT. The PSYPACT involves the formal approval of a “model act” developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to allow approved professionals from a PSYPACT state to legally practice over state lines in any one of the other PSYPACT member states. These states now include Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, and Georgia. Illinois is slated to join this group as of January 1, 2020. States seeking to join the PSYPACT must formally accept the ASPPB model act into state law.
In addition to the 8 other states who have joined the PSYPACT, the following states also have active, pending PSYPACT legislation:
- District of Columbia B 145
- New Hampshire HB 483
- New Hampshire SB 232
- North Carolina HB 297
- Pennsylvania SB 67
- Rhode Island SB 682
- Texas HB 1501
- Texas SB 601
What happens next for licensed psychologists interested in the Oklahoma PSYPACT?
An Oklahoma PSYPACT Commission will be established to create the state’s PSYPACT Bylaws and Rules. After the Bylaws and Rules are finalized, licensed psychologists meeting criteria outlined in ASPPB’s PSYPACT will be able to apply for and use ASPPB certificates, including the E.Passport and the Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC). They initially will be allowed to conduct temporary, in-person, face-to-face practice in PSYPACT states.
Stay tuned to the TBHI blog for more news or register for the free TBHI newsletter to be sent to your inbox weekly.
Telehealth: How to Legally and Ethically Practice Over State Lines & International Borders
Practicing telehealth across state lines or international borders? Operate legally & ethically 100% of the time.
Disclaimer: Telehealth.org offers information as educational material designed to inform you of issues, products, or services potentially of interest. We cannot and do not accept liability for your decisions regarding any information offered. Please conduct your due diligence before taking action. Also, the views and opinions expressed are not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual. Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks or images are the property of their respective trademark holders. There is no affiliation, sponsorship, or partnership suggested by using these brands unless contained in an ad. We do not and cannot offer legal, ethical, billing technical, medical, or therapeutic advice. Use of this site constitutes your agreement to Telehealth.org Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Is this for psychologists only or are masters level independent licensed clinicians elgible also?
Still waiting for California…
Steven,
California rejected the PSYPACT in 2015. Write to your board and let them know what you want.
What states permit tele- therapy?
Have taken your courses in person but now live in remote area of NY and hold both a CA license and MA license.
Thanks
Susan,
Al states allow telepractice or tele-therapy (same thing). Just as all states allow us to speak on the telephone with clients/patients. The thing is, if you use it for clinical work, you are responsible for knowing how to use it legally and ethically. That requires a fair amount of training, just as starting an addictions practice would require a fair amount of training to be legal and ethical. The PSYPACT allows for professionals in the PSYPACT states to share licensure. If one applies, pays fees and is approved, they can practice over state lines in the other PSYPACT states. The details of this are still being worked out within the PSYPACT states, so it isn’t as automatic as some people would like to think.
The PSYPACT is for psychologists only. But write to your board and ask them to move the issue forward however they deem appropriate. In my view, the boards have a responsibility to the practitioners to keep them fully informed of any and all decisions about telehealth, and to let them express their views prior to voting for or against it. Write to them.