Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.10 - Certification Of Applicants Licensed To Practice In Another Jurisdiction Pursuant To Alabama Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act

(1) Pursuant to the statutory requirements found in the Alabama Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act, Act 2018-540, as codified at Code of Ala. 1975, § 31-1-6, any applicant for certification as a psychologist or psychological technician who is considered an "eligible individual" under Code of Ala. 1975, § 31-1-6(c) shall be issued a certificate under the following conditions:

(a) they must hold and provide primary source proof of an active, unrestricted license to practice in another jurisdiction; and

(b) the licensing or certification requirements of the issuing body must be greater than or substantially similar to the certification requirements of this Board, as determined by the Board's executive director review; and

(c) the applicant must submit a completed application which documents compliance with the Board's certification requirements and authorization for a criminal history background check pursuant to requirements of the Board; and

(d) the applicant must submit proof of passage of the EPPP with a score that was at least equivalent to the acceptable passage rate to the Board for applicants for licensure by examination at the time of their application.

Upon satisfaction of these conditions, the application will be submitted to the executive director for review. Approval will result in the issuance of the appropriate certificate to the eligible individual allowing them to continue working at the same certification level for one (1) year. All approvals will be reported to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(2) In the event the applicant's certifying jurisdiction did not promulgate certification requirements greater than or substantially similar to the certification requirements of this Board, as determined by the executive director's review, the applicant will be notified of the specific requirements which must be met prior to receiving certification from the State of Alabama. In accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, §3l-l-6(b)(2), the eligible individual concurrently will be granted a temporary permit to continue working in the same field and at the same certification level for one hundred eighty (180) days while they complete the specific requirements necessary to obtain a license from this Board. Subject to the approval of the executive director, such temporary permit period may be extended as necessary to promote the intent of the Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act. All temporary permits will be reported to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(3) Any applicant for certification as a psychologist or psychological technician who is considered an "eligible individual" under Code of Ala. 1975, § 31-1-6(c) and who properly submits a request for waiver of the initial license fee shall receive the same within thirty (30) days of the Board's receipt of the required documentation for waiver.

(4) The permit holder must conduct their practice within the confines and scope of the Alabama law.

(5) If a temporary permit holder does not meet full licensure requirements within one (1) year from the date the permit was issued, the permit will expire, and the individual will no longer be permitted to practice in Alabama, and will be required to apply for licensure with the Board.

(6) A temporary permit practice as a psychologist or as a psychological technician in Alabama will not be granted to any individual whose license to practice is currently revoked or suspended in another state or who is currently under investigation or currently being disciplined for ethical violations according to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association. Applicants currently under investigation cannot be licensed until such time they can prove to the Board that they have been cleared of all allegations of wrongdoing. The Board may refuse to grant a permit or a license to an applicant who does not comply with these requirements or who has engaged in any acts constituting the grounds for discipline. If, after notice and hearing, the Board determines that the applicant committed fraud or falsified any information in the permit and licensure process, the permit or license may be revoked by the Board and the Board may impose other disciplinary sanctions allowed by the provisions of the Act.

(7) In order for the applicant to be granted a license to practice as a psychologist or psychological technician in Alabama, they must submit all required documentation requested by the Board and pass the Professional Standards Examination (PSE) required of all Alabama licensure candidates (see exception 750-X-2-.08(2) above).

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2-.10

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLI, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2022, eff. 1/14/2023.

Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology; Brice Johnston; Lori H. Rall

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-26-1, et seq., 3426-43.