Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kansas advisory committee agrees to allow psychotherapy coursework by live video while keeping in-person testing requirement
Summary
The master's-level psychology advisory committee to the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board voted to recommend regulatory language that lets psychotherapy coursework be completed via synchronous video conferencing while preserving an in-person physical-location requirement for psychological testing.
The master's-level psychology advisory committee to the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board voted to recommend striking the term "in residence" from the master's education regulation and replacing it with language that explicitly allows psychotherapy coursework to be completed either in person or by synchronous real-time video conferencing while requiring psychological testing coursework to occur at a physical location identified by the institution.
Chair Dave Anderson opened the discussion by presenting proposed edits to KAR 102-4-3a, the regulation that sets academic requirements for the master's-level psychology license. Executive Director David Fye told members the change would align the master's-level rule with other professions that already accept synchronous video for coursework while preserving public-protection safeguards for testing components. "This is a private entity that works with public licensing boards... it provides a platform for you to upload documentation of continuing education," Fye said when describing related operational tools the agency has rolled out to support licensees.
Committee members debated whether online training would allow adequate practice for skills such as child testing, and emphasized access concerns for rural and frontier students. Several members said synchronous video can provide meaningful interactive practice, but that testing — which may involve standardized administration and scoring for children — should retain a physical-location requirement. "I think when you think of diagnostic evaluations and testing, really having a good understanding is very important," one member said, urging that the testing component remain in person.
After discussion, the committee moved and seconded a recommendation to the board to adopt the split standard: psychotherapy coursework may be completed in person or through synchronous video conferencing; psychological testing coursework must occur at a physical location selected by the institution to ensure appropriate supervision and test validity. The chair announced, "Motion carries." The advisory committee will forward the recommendation to the full board for final action.
If the board approves the change, the regulation language will be used when staff evaluate whether an applicant's educational program meets Kansas licensure standards, and the board will continue to treat public protection — including testing integrity — as the primary consideration.
The committee also discussed, but did not decide in this motion, related questions about APA accreditation and whether accreditation criteria for master's programs (which are evolving) should be treated differently; that issue will continue to be monitored by staff and the board.
