Nevada bill would let doctoral psychology trainees hold provisional licenses, sponsors say

CARSON CITY — The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor heard testimony on Senate Bill 251, a measure to allow advanced doctoral psychology trainees and postdoctoral fellows to hold provisional licenses in Nevada.

Sen. Melanie Scheibel, sponsor of SB 251, said the bill "is to expand the availability of psychological professionals to people in Nevada" by closing a gap that currently treats doctoral-level trainees only as registrants rather than provisional licensees. Scheibel represents Senate District 9 in southwest Las Vegas.

Doctor Lauren Chapple-Love, speaking for the Nevada Psychological Association (NPA), told the committee the change would help train and retain doctoral-level psychologists in Nevada. "We would like to improve upon that number for the purpose of workforce development," Chapple-Love said, noting Nevada—aces a shortage of doctoral-level behavioral health providers relative to its population.

Nut graf: Supporters said the measure would allow advanced trainees to provide supervised clinical services, be reimbursed by insurers and strengthen oversight compared with the current registration system. Committee legal staff and the bill sponsor clarified during the hearing that the bill delegates detailed regulatory authority and that statutory fees and renewal limits are addressed in the proposed language.

The bill, as presented, modifies language in NRS 641 (the statutes governing psychological practice) to permit a psychological trainee or postdoctoral fellow to hold a provisional license issued by the Board of Psychological Examiners instead of only registering with the board. Chapple-Love said that change would enable trainees to be billed under insurance and remove a barrier to compensation and retention.

During questioning, Sen. Orrin Lang asked whether the provisional license could be extended indefinitely by trainees who elect not to take licensing exams. Jeff Koulomay of the Legislative Counsel—ureau—d legal division confirmed the bill gives the board regulatory authority to adopt rules governing issuance of provisional licenses. Chapple-Love and Koulomay further noted language in the bill indicating provisional licenses expire after one year and that renewals are subject to limits set in statute and regulation.

The sponsor also highlighted fee changes in the bill. "We're trying to reduce barriers to young people who are going through school," Scheibel said, noting the bill reduces an initial registration fee she described as previously "$250" to a smaller amount (presenter cited $25) and estimating the revenue impact to the state as "rather small" — "about $2,000 over the biennium," in the sponsor's characterization.

Committee staff provided additional statutory detail later in the hearing. Legal counsel said section 13 (amending NRS 641.226) and related subsections include provisions that a trainee's provisional license expires after one year and that renewals cannot extend provisional licensure beyond specified limits without board approval; similar expirations and renewal limits apply to psychological assistants.

No members of the public testified in opposition to SB 251. The Vegas Chamber offered support through Paul Moratkin, who thanked the sponsor and cited sections of the bill regarding provisional status and fee reduction. After closing testimony, Chair Pizzino closed the hearing and the committee moved on to other agenda items; there was no committee vote during the hearing.

Ending: Sponsors said the bill is intended to increase supervision, billing eligibility and retention of doctoral-level trainees in Nevada. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing; additional deliberation or amendments could follow in subsequent committee action.