Kansas BSRB backs PSYPACT assessment cap, advances multistate compact preparations
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Summary
Board members supported staff in filing public comment backing a PSYPACT rule to cap yearly state assessments at $6,000; staff also reported progress on the professional counseling and social work compacts, including system changes and background‑check MOAs required for implementation.
Board commissioners on Jan. 12 expressed support for a proposed PSYPACT rule to cap a state's annual assessment at $6,000 and heard progress reports on three multistate licensure compacts affecting Kansas mental‑health professionals.
Commissioner Richard Nobles and Executive Director David Pye summarized PSYPACT (the psychology interjurisdictional compact) materials released for public comment. The compact currently assesses states based on a look‑back count of in‑state licensees using PSYPACT privileges; the proposed rule would cap the total assessment at $6,000 per year regardless of practitioner counts in large states.
"If there were more than 600 people practicing from a state, the maximum amount that assessment could be would be $6,000 if this rule change is enacted," Pye said. The licensed psychology advisory committee recommended the board support the cap; members signaled consensus for Pye to submit public comment on Kansas' behalf.
The board also received implementation updates on other compacts. Pye and Commissioner Laura Shaughnessy said Kansas is preparing licensing‑system updates and a memorandum of agreement with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to handle the professional counseling compact's uniform background‑check requirement; the board proposed an out‑of‑state privilege fee of $25 for counseling privileges.
On the social work compact, Pye said the finance committee will meet to estimate commission costs and options for funding (for example, a surcharge collected by the compact commission). The board discussed how fee levels and differing state approaches could affect participation rates across compacts.
Board members asked staff to continue monitoring rule‑making and to provide proposed public comments and relevant cost implications as matters progress.
