Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2A-.07 - Supervision Requirements

(1) The scope of mandated supervision shall depend upon the specific areas of practice, experience, and training of the supervisee. Mandated supervision shall assure that an appropriate professional standard is being applied to the solution of the problem of a client, and that the laws that govern the practice of psychology and the ethics that guide the practice are understood and followed. The scope of mandated supervision may include enhancement and refinement of previously learned skills, but shall not include introductory training of a supervisee in additional skills, methods, or interventions. Supervision shall include consideration of all of the following areas:

(a) Ethical, legal, and professional standards.

(b) Technical skills and competency.

(c) The utilization of supervision by a supervisee.

(d) The ability of a supervisee to function independently or with reduced supervision.

(2) Specific supervision shall not be required for each person evaluated or treated, or for every treatment, evaluative technique, or professional activity undertaken. Supervisors shall be required to co-sign reports and other appropriate documents.

(3) A licensed psychologist shall be recognized by the board as an appropriate supervisor for a psychological technician supervisee. The board may disapprove of an otherwise qualified psychologist acting as a supervisor for any of the following reasons:

(a) Evidence that he or she is not competent or qualified to supervise a supervisee.

(b) Evidence that he or she has failed to adhere to ethical or legal standards of the profession.

(c) Evidence that there is a lack of congruence between the training, experience, and area of practice of the proposed supervisor and the proposed area of practice of the supervisee.

(d) Evidence that he or she has a license against which disciplinary or remedial action has been taken.

(4) A licensed psychologist acting as a supervisor shall perform all of the following duties:

(a) Offer and provide supervision only within the area of his or her competence and assure that his or her professional expertise and experience is congruent with the practice of the supervisee.

(b) Prior to beginning supervision, enter into a written agreement with the supervisee on a board adopted supervision contract form which details the obligations of the supervisee as well as the responsibilities of the supervisor to the supervisee. This form shall be filed with and accepted by the board.

(c) Direct the supervisee to practice only within the areas for which he or she is qualified by education, training, and supervised experience.

(d) Establish and maintain a level of supervisory contact consistent with established professional standards and remain accessible to the supervisee.

(e) Direct the supervisee to keep him or her informed of services provided by the supervisee.

(f) If he or she has reason to believe that the supervisee is practicing in a manner which indicates that ethical or legal violations have been committed, he or she shall proceed as prescribed by the most recent version of the Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association.

(g) Maintain a clear and accurate record of supervision with a supervisee that protects the confidentiality of the clients of the supervisee.

(h) Report annually on the required form to the board that the agreed upon supervision has occurred.

(i) File a final supervision report with the board within two weeks of the termination of supervision.

(j) Ensure the written notification to clients or patients of the supervisory process, including the disclosure of clinical information to the supervisor and the means by which the supervisor may be contacted.

(5) Failure to comply with any of the duties specified in number (4) above shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

(6) To maintain the professional nature of the supervision, a familial or strong personal relationship between the supervisor and his or her supervisee is prohibited, except in extraordinary circumstances such as the lack of availability of any other qualified supervisor. In such cases, the board shall require documentation that no other supervision is available and shall require reference letters from colleagues commenting on the appropriateness of the supervisory relationship.

(7) A psychological technician supervisee shall perform all of the following duties:

(a) Enter into a written agreement with the supervisor, using a board adopted supervision contract form, which details the obligations of the supervisee as well as the responsibilities of the supervisor to the supervisee. This form shall be filed with and accepted by the board prior to practice.

(b) Attend scheduled supervision sessions.

(c) Provide the supervisor with a disclosure of psychological services being offered or rendered by him or her.

(d) Cooperate with the supervisor to assure that all conditions of the supervision are fulfilled.

(e) Provide the supervisor with information necessary for the supervisor to advise him or her on cases presenting, professional, ethical, or legal concerns.

(f) File a revised supervision contract form within 45 days of a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the board.

(g) Obtain a written, signed consent from each patient or client that informs them of the supervisory process.

(8) Failure to comply with any of the duties specified in section number (7) above shall constitute a Class C misdemeanor.

(9) A psychological technician who practices in a jurisdiction outside of the state shall not be required to receive supervision for services rendered in that jurisdiction so long as the services are rendered in a manner consistent with the legal requirements of the jurisdiction.

(10) The initial supervision contract form shall be filed with and accepted by the board prior to any practice.

(11) An amended written supervision contract form shall be filed with the board within 45 days of any change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the board. Additionally, within 14 days after receiving written notification from the board that the filing of a new supervision contract form is necessary to provide for the protection of the public or the regulation of the practice of psychology, an amended written supervision contract form shall be filed with the board. A supervision contract form shall document either that supervision is required and is received, or that supervision is not required. A separate supervision contract form shall be filed for each separate work setting. If receiving supervision from more than one supervisor to meet minimum requirements, a separate supervision contract form shall be filed for each individual supervisor.

(12) A supervisor shall report to the Board that agreed upon supervision has been provided and shall file a final report with the board upon the termination of supervision. If a psychological technician is not receiving supervision, it is his or her responsibility to report that fact to the board within 14 days. A report shall be submitted to the board within 14 days after receiving written notification from the board that a report is due, within 14 days after the termination of supervision, and within 45 days after a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the board.

(13) Additional supervision and reporting to the board may be required if previous evaluations or other information suggest possible problems with the competence or ethical standards of the supervisee. Additional documentation or an interview with the board or a designated representative of the board may be required if questions arise regarding the practice of the supervisee.

(14) Supervision shall be provided in face-to-face and primarily one-on-one sessions by the supervisor of record. The rate of supervision specified in this section shall be provided for each separate work setting in which the psychological technician supervisee engages in an activity requiring supervision.

(15) Minimum supervision requirements are as follows:

(a) Level I.

(1) For a psychological technician with less than two calendar years of supervised practice as a licensed psychological technician, consisting of at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice, minimum supervision shall be provided as follows:

(a) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is one to 20, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be two.

(b) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 21 to 30, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be three.

(c) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 31 to 40, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be four.

(d) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 41 to 60, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be five.

(e) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 61 or greater, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be six.

(b) Level II.

(1) For a psychological technician with a minimum of two calendar years of supervised practice as a licensed psychological technician, consisting of at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice, minimum supervision shall be provided as follows:

(a) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is one to 20, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be one.

(b) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 21 to 60, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be two.

(c) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 61 to 100, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be three.

(d) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 101 or greater, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be four.

(2) To be approved by the board for Level II supervision, a psychological technician shall do all of the following:

(a) Make application to the board on an application form provided by the board.

(b) Have received at least one calendar year of supervision from his or her most recent supervisor.

(c) Provide a written recommendation from his or her most recent supervisor for this level of supervision and letters from all available previous supervisors.

(c) Level III.

(1) For a psychological technician with a minimum of seven calendar years of supervised practice as a licensed psychological technician, consisting of at least 10,500 hours of supervised practice, minimum supervision shall be provided as follows:

(a) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is one to 50, inclusive, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be one.

(b) If the number of hours per month spent engaging in activities requiring supervision is 51 or greater, the number of required hours of supervision per month shall be two.

(2) To be approved by the board for Level III supervision, a psychological technician shall do all of the following:

(a) Make application to the board on an application form provided by the board.

(b) Have received at least one calendar year of supervision from his or her most recent supervisor.

(c) Provide a written recommendation from his or her most recent supervisor for this level of supervision and letters from all available previous supervisors.

(16) Prior to September 1, 2000, a licensed psychological technician with a minimum of two calendar years of supervised practice, consisting of at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice by a licensed psychologist, may apply for Level II supervision status.

(a) To be approved by the board for this Level II supervision status, a psychological technician shall do all of the following:

(1) Make application to the board on an application form provided by the board.

(2) Have received at least one calendar year of supervision from his or her most recent supervisor.

(3) Provide a written recommendation from his or her most recent supervisor for this level of supervision and letters from all available previous supervisors.

(17) Contract and report forms shall be provided by the board.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-2A-.07

New Rule: Filed: November 25, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1998; effective June 18, 1998. Amended: Filed March 21, 2014, effective April 25, 2014.

Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

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