Committee hears testimony on H237 to let doctoral psychologists prescribe to expand access to mental health care

A legislative committee on Thursday heard testimony on H237, a bill that would amend Title 26 to allow licensed doctoral-level psychologists to obtain a prescribing specialty to prescribe medications for mental-health conditions after completing specialized coursework, supervised clinical practice and a national certifying exam.

Supporters said the change aims to reduce long waits for psychiatric care in Vermont and improve access in rural and under-resourced areas, while regulators and some committee members pressed for clearer training standards, statutory language and limits on what drugs would be permitted.

The bill would add a new section to the state psychology chapter (referred to in committee as Section 3,019) authorizing the Board of Psychological Examiners to create a prescribing specialty for doctoral psychologists. Under the draft language discussed, an applicant must hold a current doctoral-level psychology license in Vermont, complete a postdoctoral program in psychopharmacology accredited or designated by an appropriate authority, complete at least two years of supervised clinical practice of not less than 20 hours per week, and pass a national certifying examination as determined by rule. The board would adopt rules specifying educational prerequisites, length and settings of clinical rotations, and collaborative-practitioner qualifications.

The draft also would require a written collaborative agreement with a collaborating practitioner (a physician or other prescribing provider approved by the board), filed with the board, and would limit prescriptive authority to mental-health conditions the collaborating…