The proposed bill aims to authorize licensed psychological practitioners to practice independently in Arkansas while simultaneously revoking the independent practice privileges previously held by psychological examiners. Key amendments include the redefinition of "psychological examiner" to limit their practice to supervised settings and the introduction of a new category, "licensed psychological practitioner," which outlines the qualifications and scope of practice for these professionals. The bill specifies that licensed psychological practitioners can engage in various therapeutic and assessment activities, except for neuropsychological, forensic psychological, and projective personality assessments.

Additionally, the bill establishes new application and qualification requirements for individuals seeking to become licensed psychological practitioners, including educational prerequisites, supervised clinical training, and competency assessments. It also stipulates that individuals previously licensed as psychological examiners before December 31, 2024, are exempt from these new requirements. The legislation further ensures that licensed psychological practitioners can receive compensation from various healthcare programs and insurance plans for their services, thereby enhancing access to mental health care in the state.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1254 Original - 1-27-2025 02:44 PM: 17-97-102(a), 17-97-303, 17-3-102
Old version HB1254 V2 - 3-18-2025 02:05 PM: 17-97-102(a), 17-97-303, 03-18-2025, 17-3-102
HB 1254: 17-97-102(a), 17-97-303, 17-3-102
Act 433: 17-97-102(a), 17-97-303, 03-18-2025, 17-3-102