If you or someone you know if suffering from
chemical dependency, there is a solution:
Click Here For More Information
Welcome to the Oklahoma State Board
of Examiners of Psychologists Website
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 - Updated: 3/23/2020
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 APPLICABLE TO YOUR PRACTICE DURING THIS EMERGENCY:
TELEHEALTH/TELEPSYCHOLOGY: The Board requires a license to practice psychology in Oklahoma via telehealth.
If you are licensed in Oklahoma, no additional certification is required to practice Telehealth/Telepsychology. However, it is recommended that you follow The Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology, developed by the APA/ASPPB/APAIT Joint Task Force
OUT OF STATE PSYCHOLOGISTS
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, or another option is contacting the Oklahoma Psychological Association for a referral to an Oklahoma licensed psychologist.
LICENSING: Applications for Licensure will continue to be processed as normal. Please email Lauren.Arnold@psychology.ok.gov for any questions regarding your application.SUPERVISION:
Question: Can the formal, face-to-face, individual supervision be conducted virtually if the worksite is closed due to COVID-19?
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."
If the state and local health authorities recommend the use of social distancing or mandate site closure where a trainee has been performing psychological functions under supervision, the formal, face-to-face individual supervision may be conducted via HIPAA-compliant video until the conclusion of the COVID-19 emergency as declared by the Oklahoma Governor or Dec 31, 2020, whichever is sooner. The trainee should clearly indicate this on the weekly log and the primary supervisor should verify this information.
EXAMINATION FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN PSYCHOLOGY (EPPP):
On Tuesday, April 7th, Pearson VUE announced that they are suspending test delivery at all U.S.and Canada-based Pearson VUE-owned test centers until April 30th, 2020. Updates can be found on the Pearson and ASPPB websites.
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.
No visitors will be allowed in the Board's office, except to receive mail and courier deliveries. 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 Lauren.Arnold@psychology.ok.gov
Additionally, in an effort to manage 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 continuity of all agency operations.
BOARD MEETINGS: The next board meeting is scheduled for May 29, 2020. However, SB661 allows public bodies subject to the Open Meeting Act (“OMA”) to hold meetings via videoconference and teleconference (often called “virtual” meetings) without also having an in-person meeting location. At this time, a decision has not been made if the next OSBEP meeting will be held electronically or in person. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
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: Telespychology 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
Follow us On:
