Board reopens PSYPACT review; will reconstitute telepsychology committee to examine eligibility and enforcement

The Board discussed the psychology interjurisdictional compact (PSYPACT) and possible implications if California were to join. Staff reviewed prior reasons for opposing compact legislation (including concern about rule-making authority being hosted by an interstate entity, and a prior model that limited passport eligibility to graduates of APA-accredited programs). ASPPB has since added multiple pathways (including a pathway 6) that may allow some non-APA graduates to qualify for a passport; staff emphasized that eligibility would be determined by ASPPB on an individual basis.

Board members raised enforcement and consumer-protection concerns: which entity enforces standards for passport holders, how passport verification would be presented to consumers, and whether licensees who surrendered licenses in one state and later obtained licensure elsewhere could evade discipline. Staff noted PSYPACT leadership has offered to present to the board and that telepsychology committee members could examine passport pathways, enforcement mechanisms, and verification tools. Dr. Rogers invited members to volunteer; the board will ask Dr. Leah Tate (board president) to appoint members and will request a presentation from PSYPACT leadership at a future meeting.

Ending: The board did not take a formal position on PSYPACT at the meeting but directed staff to convene a telepsychology committee to analyze eligibility pathways, enforcement arrangements, verification systems and consumer-protection implications and to invite PSYPACT leadership to present.