Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 11.

ON MARCH 17, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2356, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill and revises present law provisions governing temporary and provisional licenses for psychologists.<br /> <br /> Present law authorizes the board of examiners in psychology to issue a temporary license to an applicant who has successfully completed the academic course work and training for the license sought and who is scheduled for initial written examination. This provision does not apply to psychological examiners; present law prohibits the issuance of a temporary license for that level of practice unless the applicant applied prior to December 31, 2004. <br /> <br /> This amendment adds that a temporary license is valid for a period not to exceed one year. This amendment authorizes the board to extend the expiration date of a temporary license following a petition from the licensee and finding that extraordinary circumstances exist that necessitate a delay in taking a required written examination prior to the expiration of the initial temporary license period. Under this amendment, a temporary license will be revoked 30 days after the date a temporary licensee receives notice of the licensee's second failure of the examination for professional practice in psychology (EPPP) or jurisprudence examination. During the 30-day period prior to revocation of the temporary license, the licensee and the licensee's supervisor must ensure the notification, and transfer, of care for the temporary licensee's clients.<br /> <br /> Under present law, a provisional license to practice as a psychologist with the designation as a health service provider may be issued by the board to an applicant who has successfully completed the academic and internship requirements and who is to be engaged in a one-year post-doctoral experience as required by present law. <br /> <br /> Present law provides that:<br /> <br /> (1) In order for a provisional license to remain valid, the licensee must take and pass the examination for professional practice in Tennessee (EPPP) at the level set for licensure as a psychologist in Tennessee within one year of the issuance of the provisional license unless the applicant previously passed the EPPP at that level. A second failure of the EPPP after the issuance of a provisional license results in its revocation; and<br /> <br /> (2) In order for the provisional license to remain valid, the licensee must take and pass the oral and/or jurisprudence examination developed by the board within two years of the issuance of the provisional license. The second failure of the oral and/or jurisprudence examination results in the revocation of the provisional license.<br /> <br /> This amendment revises the provisions of (1) and (2) as follows:<br /> <br /> (1) Under this amendment, a provisional license will be revoked 30 days after the date a provisional licensee receives notice of the licensee's second failure of the EPPP following issuance of the provisional license. During the 30-day period prior to revocation of the provisional license, the licensee and the licensee's supervisor must ensure the notification, and transfer, of care for the provisional licensee's clients; and<br /> <br /> (2) Under this amendment, a provisional license will be revoked 30 days after the date a provisional licensee receives notice of the licensee's second failure of the oral or jurisprudence examination following issuance of the provisional license. During the 30-day period prior to revocation of the provisional license, the licensee and the licensee's supervisor must ensure the notification, and transfer, of care for the provisional licensee's clients.<br />