Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-2 — The Application Process

750 Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.01 Candidates For Licensure

(1) Any person wishing to obtain the right to practice as a psychologist in this state, who has not heretofore been licensed to do so, shall, before it shall be lawful for him or her to practice as a psychologist in this state, make application to the Board of Examiners in Psychology through the chair upon such form and in such manner as prescribed by the board.

(2) Unless a person has first obtained a valid license as aforesaid, it shall be unlawful and a violation of §34-26-1, et seq. for him or her to practice.

(3) A candidate for licensure as a psychologist shall furnish the board with satisfactory evidence of all of the following:

(a) He or she is of good moral character.

(b) He or she is at least 19 years of age.

(c) He or she has received a doctorate degree from a department of, or school of, psychology, from an educational institution accredited and recognized by national and regional accrediting agencies as maintaining satisfactory standards.

(d) He or she is competent in psychology as shown by passing such examination, written or oral, or both, as the board will prescribe, unless exempted pursuant to 750-X-2-.08(2).

(e) He or she is not engaged in unethical practice as defined in the Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association.

(f) He or she has not within the preceding six months failed an examination given by the board.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.; 34-26-41.
• Rule entitled "Application Deadlines" filed September 21, 1982. Repealed and new rule entitled "Candidates for Licensure" filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 6, 1989; April 5, 1990. Repealed and Replaced: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1998; effective June 18, 1998. Amended: Filed September 16, 2008; effective October 21, 2008. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014, pursuant to Act No. 2013-386.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.02 Application Deadlines

Upon request, all persons intending to apply for licensure will be supplied with a licensure application form, a copy of the Alabama law, and an "Information for Applicants" brochure. The cut-off dates for completion of application files will be the first day of odd numbered months, to be reviewed at the Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Rule entitled “Application Form” filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed March 18, 1996; effective April 22, 1996. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed November 15, 2000; effective December 20, 2000. Amended: Filed May 15, 2013; effective June 19, 2013.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.03 Application Form

Applications will be reviewed under the laws and rules and regulations in effect the date the application is received. All applications shall be submitted on a form prescribed and provided by the Board of Examiners in Psychology and accompanied by such evidence, statements, and documents as are therein required. The licensure application form must be filled out legibly and in detail, giving requested information and dates. It shall include a complete list of job positions in chronological sequence. A certified copy of each transcript shall be sent by the registrars of each institution directly to the Board. The applicant shall have the registrar, the graduate school dean, or other approved official of the doctoral degree granting institution to certify (1) the degree granting school or college, (2) the exact name of the department which granted the degree, and (3) the exact title of the doctoral degree. The entire licensure application form shall be notarized. The Board must be informed if a previous application for licensure has been submitted in this state. Four references are required (see Rule 750-X-2-.05 below). The licensure application fee or any application for a fee waiver as allowed by these rules must accompany the application form.

All applicants for licensure shall submit to a criminal history background check by providing fingerprints and executing a criminal history information release using forms provided to the applicant by the Board. The applicant is responsible for having his or her fingerprints made. The applicant shall provide his or her completed fingerprint cards, along with a Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) in the amount sufficient to cover the actual cost of the background check, to the Board office to be submitted to the ALEA. ALEA is responsible for forwarding the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check. Information received by the Board pursuant to a criminal history background check shall be confidential and shall not be a public record, except that such information received by and relied upon by the Board in denying the issuance of a certificate of qualification may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the denial.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq., 34-26-43.
• Rule entitled "Doctoral Degree from Department or School of Psychology" filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed May 29, 1986. Repealed and new rule entitled "Application Form" filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990; March 6, 1992. Amended: Filed August 4, 1993; effective September 8, 1993. Amended: Filed December 3, 1993; effective January 7, 1994. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed November 15, 2000; effective December 20, 2000. Amended: Filed May 15, 2013; effective June 19, 2013. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014, pursuant to Act No. 2013-386. Amended: Filed July 11, 2016; effective August 25, 2016. Amended: Published November 30, 2022; effective January 14, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.04 Doctoral Degree From Department Or School Of Psychology

All applicants (see Rule 750-X-2-.08 below for certain exceptions) shall have a doctoral degree from a department of or school of psychology as defined herein. Departments or schools which have programs fully or provisionally accredited by the American Psychological Association at the time the applicant graduated will be recognized as meeting the Board's definition of a department or school of psychology, and applicants who graduated from these APA accredited programs will be considered to have met the Board’s educational requirements. Departments or schools which do not meet the requirements above will be recognized as meeting the Board’s definition of a department or school of psychology if they met the following organizational and curriculum criteria at the time the applicant graduated:

(1) Organizational Requirements.

(a) Training in psychology must have been doctoral training offered in an institution of higher education accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting body in the United States or, in the case of Canadian programs, the institution is publicly recognized by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada as a member in good standing.

(b) The department or school, at the time the applicant graduated, must have specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train psychologists.

(c) The department or school was a recognizable, coherent organizational entity within the institution.

(d) The department or school assumed authority and primary responsibility for course work in the core and specialty areas whether or not the program cuts across administrative lines.

(e) The department or school provided a curriculum that was an integrated, organized sequence of study.

(f) The department or school provided an identifiable full-time psychology faculty, some of whom were licensed psychologists; and a psychologist was responsible for the curriculum.

(g) The department or school had an identifiable body of students who were regularly matriculated in that program for the doctoral degree.

(2) Curriculum Requirements.

(a) The applicant’s curriculum shall have encompassed a minimum of three academic years (nine months each) of full-time graduate study.

(b) At least two years of the full-time graduate study must be at the institution from which the doctoral degree is granted.

(c) At least one year of the full-time graduate study must be in full-time residence at the institution from which the doctoral degree is granted.

(d) Full-time graduate study includes residence at the educational institution in which the students pursue full-time graduate study together with other students enrolled in that program. Residence provides students access to a core psychology faculty whose primary time and employment responsibilities are to the educational institution, and access to other students matriculated in that program. Full-time study in residence also requires education and training to be distributed over the days and weeks of an academic year on campus. However, there should be flexibility in the application of residency requirements with respect to an individual student who has particular needs, assuming that such an exception does not interfere with the general applicability of the residency requirement for the program. The intent of a full-time residency requirement is to provide the interactions with faculty and fellow students necessary for acculturation and socialization in the science and practice of psychology. An internship year requirement will not contribute to the academic year requirements of this criterion.

(e) The curriculum must have included a minimum of 60 semester hours (90-quarter hours) of graduate -1evel course work in psychology, excluding internship. Course work must have been programmatic and sequential in nature. If the applicant’s doctoral and master’s degree programs were in different departments or schools, the majority of psychology coursework must have been taken at the doctoral level. Only courses with grades of B or above will be counted in evaluating graduate transcripts. Where grades are recorded as Pass (P) or Fail (F), passing grades will be required. Course credit for masters’ thesis research, doctoral dissertation research, research projects, practical or internship will not count as meeting any of the curriculum requirements. Post-doctoral work in psychology submitted for the Board’s consideration must have been taken from a department which offered a doctoral degree as defined herein.

(f) Required Core Areas.

1. A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours must have been taken from the areas as specified in (4)-(5). Courses which were limited to a particular student population (e.g., “Theories of Learning for Teachers”), are not applicable.

2. Courses must have been generic and comprehensive in nature and must have provided the student with an empirical and theoretical foundation of the subject matter. For instance, “Personnel Motivation” and “Research in Guidance” would be disallowed. Applied coursework will be evaluated only under specialty and elective areas as defined in f. below.

3. Transfer of credit from a master’s degree or undergraduate department must have been accepted by the doctoral degree granting department and reflected on the doctoral transcript or otherwise have been documented as acceptable transfer credit from the master’s degree program by the doctoral degree granting department.

4. The following core courses are required:

(i) Statistics

(ii) Ethics and Professional Standards*

(iii) Experimental Design/Research Methods

(iv) Theory of Psychological Measurement

(v) History and Systems of Psychology

*If the applicant did not have a specific course in ethics, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate coverage in this area.

5. In addition, at least one core course of at least 3 semester or 4.5-quarter hours is required in each area as follows:

(i) Biological Bases of Behavior

e.g., Comparative Physiological Perception/Sensation Psychopharmacology Neuropsychology

(ii) Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior

e.g., Cognitive Psychology Learning Memory Motivation and Emotion

(iii) Social Bases of Behavior

e.g., Cultural/Ethnic/Sex Role Processes Group Processes Organizational Theory and Systems Social Psychology

(iv) Individual Behavior

e.g., Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology Developmental Psychology Individual Differences Personality Theory

(g) Psychology Specialty and Elective Courses.

1. A minimum of 36 additional semester (54 quarter) hours in psychology is required. Each course may be counted only once; if already credited under a “core area,” a course will not be credited again under “specialty and/or elective area.”

2. If the applicant wishes an untitled seminar, independent study, or special problems course counted, he/she must provide a detailed description of course taken, including the name of the instructor/professor, books required, and content of course. The Board must be given university references (specific professors) so that course content may be verified. In all cases the burden of proof rests with the applicant that special seminars, special problems courses, etc., meet the Board’s requirements for coursework in either core or specialty/elective areas.

(h) Course Deficiencies. Applicants who have a doctoral degree from a department or school of psychology, as defined herein, and who meet all other requirements excepting only two courses as noted above may take up to 6 semester (9 quarter) hours from a psychology department which grants a doctoral degree with prior approval from the Board. Applicants who elect to meet curriculum requirements in this manner must register for a grade of “B” or better as reflected on the official transcript. Such courses must be taken within one year of the Board’s letter of approval or re-application will be required.

(i) Total Graduate Hours Required. Psychology coursework must include a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) hours; 24 semester (36 quarter) hours core, and 36 semester (54 quarter) hours specialty and elective courses.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-26-1, et seq. §34-26-41
• Rule entitled “Appropriateness of Training Offered: References” filed September 23, 1982. Repealed and New rule entitled “Doctoral Degree from Department or School of Psychology” filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed December 3, 1993. Amended: Filed September 21, 1994, November 25, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1998; effective June 18, 1998. Amended: Filed September 17, 2002; effective October 22, 2002. Amended: Filed July 23, 2007; effective August 27, 2007.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.05 References

In evaluating additional qualifications, the Board shall take into consideration the applicant's training, supervision, ethical conduct and professional competence. Four positive references from psychologists, three of whom must be licensed or certified at the doctoral level, are required. One reference must be from the applicant's doctoral dissertation or doctoral directed study advisor, chairperson, or program director of the doctoral degree granting department. From applicants whose training included a pre-doctoral or post-doctoral internship in an applied field (e.g., clinical, counseling, school, industrial/organizational) at least one reference shall be from an internship supervisor or the director of internship training. For applicants with prior professional experience, a reference from a supervisor or licensed colleague will be required. When it is impossible to obtain a required reference the Board may consider an alternative reference on a case-by-case basis.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Rule entitled "Competency Statement" filed September 21, 1982. Repealed and new rule entitled "References" filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 6, 1989; April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed September 21, 1994; effective October 26, 1994. Amended: Filed March 17, 1998; effective April 21, 1998.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.06 Area Of Specialization

(1) The Board recognizes specialization in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and School Psychology. Applicants who meet all other requirements for licensure and who are graduates from programs accredited by the American Psychological Association in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology, and who have completed an acceptable internship accredited by the American Psychological Association or who have met the internship criteria defined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 will be recognized as having a specialty in one of those areas. Applicants who meet all other requirements for licensure and who present a Diplomat awarded by the American Board of Professional Psychology in an area other than the areas of specialization recognized by the Board will be evaluated by the Board to determine whether or not the applicant meets the requirements for any of the specializations recognized by the Board.

(2) Applicants who seek recognition in a specialty area and who do not meet the above criteria must satisfy the criteria below:

(a) Clinical Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train clinical psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 27 semester hours or 40 quarter hours):

(i) Abnormal Behavior/Psychopathology

(ii) Intellectual Assessment

(iii) Personality Assessment

(iv) Theory of Intervention and Treatment of Mental Disorders

(v) Practicum in Psychological Assessment

(vi) Practicum in Psychological Intervention

(vii) Advanced Clinical Electives

3. An internship in clinical psychology which emphasized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders and which met the criteria outlined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 must have been completed.

(b) Counseling Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train counseling psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 27 semester hours or 40 quarter hours):

(i) Theory of Counseling/Psychotherapy

(ii) Assessment of Aptitude and Abilities and/or Personality

(iii) Human Adjustment or Development, or Abnormal Behavior

(iv) Vocational Assessment

(v) Practicum in Assessment

(vi) Practicum in Intervention

(vii) Advanced Electives in Counseling Psychology

3. An internship in counseling psychology which emphasized the application of psychological principles to facilitate effective functioning during life-span development and which met the criteria outlined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 must have been completed.

(c) Industrial/Organizational Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train industrial/organizational psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours):

(i) Assessment and Measurement in Industrial/ Organizational (Organizational Behavior)

(ii) Theory of Industrial/Organizational Psychology

(iii) Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

(iv) Electives from such areas as Consultation, Management, Human Factors, Motivation, Applied Research and Training and Development

(v) Supervised practicum, field placement, or internship in industrial/organizational psychology which emphasized the application of psycho-1ogical principles to problems of organizations and the problems of individuals in work and organizational settings

(d) School Psychology

1. Qualifying coursework must have been taken while enrolled in a doctoral program which specified in pertinent institutional catalogs and brochures its intent to educate and train school psychologists.

2. Qualifying coursework must have included the following areas (minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours):

(i) Intellectual Assessment

(ii) Assessment of Educational Abilities and Achievement

(iii) Theory of Intervention in Educational Settings

(iv) Practicum in School Psychology

(v) Child/Developmental Psychology

(vi) Consultation and Program Planning

(vii) Electives in School Psychology

(viii) An internship in school psychology which emphasized the application of psychological principles and skills to learning problems and which met the criteria outlined in Rule 750-X-2-.07 must be completed.

(3) The Board will review transcripts and related material to assess the applicant's area of specialization.

(4) Applicants should claim specialization based upon their education and training. Board recognition of specialty areas at the time of licensure requires the licensee to identify his/her specialty area and to practice within the limits of his/her education and training.

(5) An individual desiring to add to or alter specialization areas should apply to the Board. Any changes in major areas of specialization should be accomplished through enrollment in an appropriate doctoral training program and appropriate internship where relevant. Continuing education is not sufficient to substantiate a change in specialization area.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.; 34-26-22.
• Rule entitled "Reciprocity" filed September 21, 1982. Repealed and new rule entitled "Area of Specialization" filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 6, 1989, April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed September 21, 1994; effective October 26, 1994. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1998; effective June 18, 1998. Amended: Filed September 17, 2002; effective October 22, 2002.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.07 Internship Training

(1) Applicants who have successfully completed an internship that was accredited by the American Psychological Association or the Canadian Psychological Association at the time of the applicant's training will be recognized as meeting the Board’s internship training requirements.

(2) Internships which were not accredited by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association will be acceptable only if they met the following criteria:

(a) The internship was an organized training program, in contrast to supervised experience or on-the-job training. It must have provided the intern with a planned, programmed sequence of training experiences assuring breadth and quality of training.

(b) The internship agency had a clearly designated staff psychologist who was responsible for the integrity and quality of the training program and who was actively licensed/certified by a State/Provincial Board of Examiners in Psychology.

(c) The internship agency had at least two licensed psychologists on the staff as supervisors.

(d) Internship supervision was provided by a staff member of the internship agency or by an affiliate of that agency who carried clinical responsibility for the cases being supervised. At least half of the internship supervision was provided by one or more psychologists.

(e) The internship provided training in a range of assessment and treatment activities conducted directly with clients in need of psychological services.

(f) At least 25% of trainee's time was in direct client contact.

(g) The internship included a minimum of two hours per week (regardless of whether the internship was completed in one year or two) of regularly scheduled, formal, face to face individual supervision with the specific intent of dealing with psychological services rendered directly by the intern. There must also have been at least two additional hours per week in learning activities such as: case conferences involving a case in which the intern was actively involved; seminars dealing with clinical issues; co-therapy with a staff person including discussion; group supervision; additional individual supervision.

(h) Training was post-clerkship, post-practicum and post-externship level.

(i) The internship agency had a minimum of two interns at the internship level of training during applicant's training period. The Board may make exceptions in the case of school psychologists.

(j) Trainees had a title such as "intern," "resident," "fellow," or other designation of trainee status.

(k) The internship agency had a written statement or brochure which described the goals and content of the internship. The brochure stated clear expectations for quantity and quality of trainee's work, and was made available to prospective interns.

(l) The internship experience was the equivalent of 1 year full-time training completed in no less than 11 months (10 months for school psychologist’s internships) and no more than 24 consecutive months.

(m) If two internship sites are used to fulfill minimum requirements, references must be received from an internship supervisor or internship director at each site.

(n) The Board retains the right to disallow claimed experiences which violate common sense.

(3) A maximum of two internship sites or consortium programs may be utilized to meet the internship requirement. In instances where two sites are used, each site shall meet all conditions listed in (a) through (n) above. Furthermore, any internship experience claimed under this rule must be a minimum of 20 hours per week.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Rule entitled "Disposition of Applicants" filed September 21, 1982. Repealed and new rule entitled "Internship Training" filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990; October 5, 1992. Amended: Filed September 21, 1994; effective October 26, 1994. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed March 11, 2002; effective April 15, 2002. Amended: Filed September 17, 2002; effective October 22, 2002. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014, pursuant to Act No. 2013-386.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.08 Licensure Of Applicants Licensed To Practice Psychology In Another Jurisdiction

(1) Applicants who are in good standing and who are currently licensed to practice independently as a psychologist in another jurisdiction (excluding temporary, provisional or other conditional licensure) will be granted a license to practice psychology in Alabama upon meeting the following criteria:

(a) Applicants must meet the same education and training requirements as outlined in 750-X-2-.04 and 750-X-2-.07 above.

(b) Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, and of good moral character.

(c) Applicants must pass (or have previously passed) the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology at the same passing point required of applicants for first-time licensure in Alabama at the time of the applicant’s application.

(d) Applicants must pass the Professional Standards Examination required of all Alabama licensure candidates (see exception 750-X-2-.08(2) below).

(e) A license to practice psychology in Alabama will not be granted to any individual whose license to practice psychology is currently revoked or suspended in another state or who is currently under investigation or currently being disciplined for ethical violations according to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association. Applicants currently under investigation cannot be licensed until such time they can prove to the Board that they have been cleared of all allegations of wrongdoing.

(2) The Board shall issue a license to any applicant with a doctoral degree in psychology who is otherwise qualified pursuant to 750-X-2-.01, who is licensed to practice at the independent level as a psychologist in at least two states (excluding temporary, provisional or other conditional licensure) and who has passed a recognized national exam at the same passing point required of applicants for first-time licensure in Alabama at the time of the applicant’s application.

(a) A license to practice psychology in Alabama will not be granted to any individual whose license to practice psychology is currently revoked or suspended in another jurisdiction or who is currently under investigation or currently being disciplined for ethical violations according to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association. Applicants currently under investigation cannot be licensed until such time they can prove to the Board that they have been cleared of all allegations of wrong doing.

(3) The Board may also at its discretion grant a certificate without an assembled examination to any person residing or employed in the state who at the time of the application is licensed or certified by a similar board of another state whose standards, in the opinion of the board, are not lower than those required in 750-X-2-.01 and 750-X-2-.04, or who has been practicing psychology in another state and has qualifications not lower than those required in 750-X-2-.01 and 750-X-2-.04, and is able to satisfy the board that to grant him/her a license would be in the public interest.

(4) The Board shall issue a license to an individual holding the Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) in psychology issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board (ASPPB), or its successor organization. Applicants holding the CPQ in psychology issued by the ASPPB shall submit all of the following to the Board:

(a) An application for licensure and the corresponding fee.

(b) An executed criminal history information release using forms provided to the applicant by the Board and the corresponding fee.

(c) Verification form(s) from the jurisdiction(s) of licensure, verifying that licensure is current and in good standing.

(d) Verification form from the ASPPB, verifying that certification is current and in good standing.

(e) Applicants must pass the Professional Standards Examination required of all Alabama licensure candidates (see exception 750-X-2-.08(2) above).

(f) A license to practice psychology in Alabama will not be granted to any individual whose license to practice psychology is currently revoked or suspended in another jurisdiction or who is currently under investigation or currently being disciplined for ethical violations according to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association. Applicants currently under investigation, or facing any matter that puts in question his or her competency to practice, cannot be licensed until such time they can prove to the Board that they have been cleared of all allegations of wrong doing.

(5) The Board shall issue a license to any applicant holding board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and has not within the preceding six months failed an examination given by the board. Applicants holding ABPP certification shall submit all of the following to the Board:

(a) An application for licensure and the corresponding fee.

(b) An executed criminal history information release using forms provided to the applicant by the Board and the corresponding fee.

(c) Verification form(s) from the jurisdiction(s) of licensure, verifying that licensure is current and in good standing.

(d) Verification form from the ABPP, verifying that certification is current and in good standing.

(e) Applicants must pass the Professional Standards Examination required of all Alabama licensure candidates (see exception 750-X-2-.08(2) above).

(f) A license to practice psychology in Alabama will not be granted to any individual whose license to practice psychology in another jurisdiction is currently revoked or suspended in another state or who is currently under investigation or currently being disciplined for ethical violations according to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association. Applicants currently under investigation, or facing any matter that puts in question his or her competency to practice, cannot be licensed until such time they can prove to the Board that they have been cleared of all allegations of wrong doing.

(6) An individual who possesses a valid license to practice psychology independently at the doctoral level, by any jurisdiction recognized by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), may practice psychology in Alabama for no more than 30 days each calendar year without applying for a license to practice psychology in Alabama, unless otherwise exempted from licensure. This authority to practice does not apply to a psychologist who has previously been denied licensure in Alabama, or who is a legal resident of Alabama, or who intends to practice full-time or a major portion of his or her time in Alabama.

(7) An individual licensed to practice psychology in another jurisdiction who is providing services in Alabama in response to a declared disaster or state of emergency may practice psychology in Alabama for no more than 60 days per calendar year without applying for a license.

(a) The Governor must proclaim a state of emergency that has an impact on the State of Alabama for this subsection to apply to any provider of psychological services.

(b) Psychologists providing disaster or emergency services under such circumstance in Alabama must register with the Board within ten business days of entering the state by filing an Emergency Practice Registration Form with the Board office.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq., 34-26-41.
• Filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 6, 1989; April 5, 1990, November 25, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1998; effective June 18, 1998. Amended (2 Certifications Filed): Filed September 17, 2002; effective October 22, 2002. Amended: Filed September 16, 2008; effective October 21, 2008. Amended: Filed March 16, 2012; effective April 20, 2012. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014, pursuant to Act No. 2013-386.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.09 Disposition Of Applicants

(1) Board Action. The affirmative votes of a majority of Board members voting shall be required to grant admission to the examination and licensure. The applicant will be notified by letter of the Board's decision.

(2) Restrictions on Member Voting.

(a) A Board member cannot serve as a reference for an applicant.

(b) Board members must abstain from voting in the licensing process if the applicant is in their employ or under their supervision, or if there is a legal, ethical, or moral question vis-à-vis the Board member and the applicant.

History

• Author: Blaine C. Crum
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.10 Certification Of Applicants Licensed To Practice In Another Jurisdiction Pursuant To Alabama Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act

(1) Pursuant to the statutory requirements found in the Alabama Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act, Act 2018-540, as codified at Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6, any applicant for certification as a psychologist or psychological technician who is considered an "eligible individual" under Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6(c) shall be issued a certificate under the following conditions:

(a) they must hold and provide primary source proof of an active, unrestricted license to practice in another jurisdiction; and

(b) the licensing or certification requirements of the issuing body must be greater than or substantially similar to the certification requirements of this Board, as determined by the Board's executive director review; and

(c) the applicant must submit a completed application which documents compliance with the Board's certification requirements and authorization for a criminal history background check pursuant to requirements of the Board; and

(d) the applicant must submit proof of passage of the EPPP with a score that was at least equivalent to the acceptable passage rate to the Board for applicants for licensure by examination at the time of their application.

Upon satisfaction of these conditions, the application will be submitted to the executive director for review. Approval will result in the issuance of the appropriate certificate to the eligible individual allowing them to continue working at the same certification level for one (1) year. All approvals will be reported to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(2) In the event the applicant's certifying jurisdiction did not promulgate certification requirements greater than or substantially similar to the certification requirements of this Board, as determined by the executive director's review, the applicant will be notified of the specific requirements which must be met prior to receiving certification from the State of Alabama. In accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, §3l-1-6(b)(2), the eligible individual concurrently will be granted a temporary permit to continue working in the same field and at the same certification level for one hundred eighty (180) days while they complete the specific requirements necessary to obtain a license from this Board. Subject to the approval of the executive director, such temporary permit period may be extended as necessary to promote the intent of the Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act. All temporary permits will be reported to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(3) Any applicant for certification as a psychologist or psychological technician who is considered an "eligible individual" under Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6(c) and who properly submits a request for waiver of the initial license fee shall receive the same within thirty (30) days of the Board's receipt of the required documentation for waiver.

(4) The permit holder must conduct their practice within the confines and scope of the Alabama law.

(5) If a temporary permit holder does not meet full licensure requirements within one (1) year from the date the permit was issued, the permit will expire, and the individual will no longer be permitted to practice in Alabama, and will be required to apply for licensure with the Board.

(6) A temporary permit practice as a psychologist or as a psychological technician in Alabama will not be granted to any individual whose license to practice is currently revoked or suspended in another state or who is currently under investigation or currently being disciplined for ethical violations according to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association. Applicants currently under investigation cannot be licensed until such time they can prove to the Board that they have been cleared of all allegations of wrongdoing. The Board may refuse to grant a permit or a license to an applicant who does not comply with these requirements or who has engaged in any acts constituting the grounds for discipline. If, after notice and hearing, the Board determines that the applicant committed fraud or falsified any information in the permit and licensure process, the permit or license may be revoked by the Board and the Board may impose other disciplinary sanctions allowed by the provisions of the Act.

(7) In order for the applicant to be granted a license to practice as a psychologist or psychological technician in Alabama, they must submit all required documentation requested by the Board and pass the Professional Standards Examination (PSE) required of all Alabama licensure candidates (see exception 750-X-2-.08(2) above).

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology; Brice Johnston; Lori H. Rall
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq., 34-26-43.
• New Rule: Published November 30, 2022; effective January 14, 2023.