WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA!
The Mission of the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists is to protect the public by regulating the practice of psychology in Oklahoma to ensure that only properly qualified psychologists practice psychology in the state and that the psychology profession as a whole is conducted in the public's best interest.
COVID-19:
The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (“Board”) is aware of the potential threat that COVID-19 poses, and that many providers are transitioning to the provision of telehealth in order to continue providing services to clients as best they are able. The following information is being provided in an effort to offer updates and resources to the individuals licensed with this Board.
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE TO YOUR PRACTICE:
TELEHEALTH/TELEPSYCHOLOGY:
Oklahoma Law requires that an individual must be licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists to provide psychological services in Oklahoma or be exempt under the Psychologists Licensing Act. At its meeting on September 11, 2020, the Board adopted the document “Things to consider when providing services through Telepsychology" for psychologists to use as a resource when providing telepsychology services to clients in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Board of Psychology statutes allows for out-of-state practice for a period of 5 days upon notification to the Board office. Notification should be sent to Teanne.Rose@psychology.ok.gov. With your notification, please provide the dates you intend to practice in the State of Oklahoma.
59 OS 1353
9. The activities and services of a nonresident of this state who renders consulting or other psychological services if such activities and services are rendered for a period which does not exceed in the aggregate more than five (5) days during any year and if the nonresident is authorized pursuant to the laws of the state or country of the person's residence to perform these activities and services. Such person shall inform the Board prior to initiation of services;
Should you require more than the five days allowed by Oklahoma law, please consider obtaining a license to practice in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma Psychological Association for a referral to an Oklahoma licensed psychologist, or consider obtaining an E.Passport certificate from ASPPB to practice under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), an interstate compact designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries.
SUPERVISION:
Question: Can the formal, face-to-face, individual supervision be conducted virtually if the worksite is closed due to COVID-19?
Statement from the Application Review Committee:
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC), 575:10-1-2(j)(l), provides:
(j) Supervision in internships. ......"At least half of the supervision of clinical and counseling psychology interns must be regularly scheduled, formal, face-to-face, individual supervision by one or more licensed psychologists with the intent of dealing with psychological services rendered directly by the intern. The remaining half of the supervision may be conducted individually or in a group by licensed psychologists or by other licensed professionals as appropriate to the internship experience."
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC), 575:10-1-2(j)(l), provides:
(j) Supervision in internships. ......"At least half of the supervision of clinical and counseling psychology interns must be regularly scheduled, formal, face-to-face, individual supervision by one or more licensed psychologists with the intent of dealing with psychological services rendered directly by the intern. The remaining half of the supervision may be conducted individually or in a group by licensed psychologists or by other licensed professionals as appropriate to the internship experience."
(l) Postdoctoral experience. ....."Applicants must have received and accumulated 75 hours of regularly scheduled, formal, face-to-face, individual supervision from his/her supervisor(s) reasonably distributed throughout each 12 months of the postdoctoral experience."
The Board approved trainees who are performing psychological functions under supervision the opportunity to receive formal face-to-face individual supervision via HIPAA-compliant video until September 30, 2023. The trainee should clearly indicate this on the weekly log and the primary supervisor should verify this information. The Board will revisit this matter at a later date.
BOARD OPERATIONS: SPECIAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IMPLEMENTED DUE TO COVID-19. Based upon the latest guidelines from government agencies and health officials regarding the COVID-19 virus, and in keeping with our commitment to the health and safety of our employees and the general public, effective March 23, 2020, and until further notice, the following preventative measures will be taken by the Board and its staff.
Visitors should call to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the Board office. Agency staff schedules have been altered for essential personnel to work remotely or alternate shifts. The best point of contact will be via email to Teanne.Rose@psychology.ok.gov or Stacie.LRasmussen@psychology.ok.gov
Additionally, in an effort to manage the continuity of operations under this rotating schedule, all telephone calls will be directed to voicemail. When leaving a voice message, you must provide your name, phone number, and email address, so that staff can respond to your call. Failure to include this information may hinder the agency's ability to respond in a timely manner.
This action is being taken to limit possible exposure to COVID-19, protect the health of the public and agency employees, and ensure the continuity of all agency operations.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
PRACTICE DURING COVID-19 – In determining best practice guidelines during this emergency, you are encouraged to follow the guidance of your national, state, and local governments. The following resources are available to help you stay informed and prepared.
APA RESOURCES:
- Informed Consent Checklist for Telepsychology Services
- Office and Technology Checklist for Telepsychology Services
- APA General Resource – Pandemics
- APA Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology
- APA: Telepsychology Best Practice 101 Webinar Series
- APA: Comparing the latest telehealth solutions
U.S. Center for Disease Control:
- Prepare for your Health
- Resources for Clinics and Healthcare Facilities
- Information specific to Coronavirus
Oklahoma State Department of Health – updates regarding COVID-19 in Oklahoma.
The Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency. The notice can be found on the HHS website here: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html
National Register COVID-19 RESOURCES
The Trust: COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR PRACTITIONERS
CONTACT THE BOARD OFFICE:
421 NW 13th Street, Suite 180
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
(405) 522-1333
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