The bill amends existing Arkansas law to remove the limitation on the practice of neuropsychology specifically for technicians employed by psychologists. It allows psychology technicians to be employed in a broader range of settings, including healthcare facilities, and specifies that they can practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in areas such as the administration and scoring of standardized psychological tests, manualized cognitive intervention services, and fitness-to-proceed examinations. The bill also outlines the restrictions on technicians, prohibiting them from conducting intake assessments, interpreting patient data, or communicating test results to patients.

Additionally, the bill introduces new training requirements for technicians, mandating a minimum of eighty hours of documented training in various areas, including professional ethics and direct observation of test administration. It also establishes that a supervising psychologist can only oversee a maximum of four full-time technicians at one time. Furthermore, the bill ensures that psychologists will be reimbursed for services provided by technicians under Arkansas Medicaid and health benefit plans, thereby enhancing the operational framework for psychological services in the state.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1257 V2 - 2-19-2025 11:00 AM: 17-97-401(a), 17-97-402(a), 17-97-402(d), 17-97-402(g), 17-97-403, 17-97-405(a), 17-97-405(c), 17-97-405, 17-97-406(a), 17-97-406(d)
Old version HB1257 V3 - 3-18-2025 02:06 PM: 17-97-401(a), 17-97-402(a), 17-97-402(d), 17-97-402(g), 17-97-403, 17-97-405(a), 17-97-405(c), 17-97-405, 17-97-406(a), 17-97-406(d)
Old version HB1257 Original - 1-27-2025 02:52 PM: 17-97-401(a), 17-97-402(a), 17-97-402(d), 17-97-402(g), 17-97-405(a), 17-97-405(c), 17-97-405, 17-97-406(a), 17-97-406(d)
HB 1257: 17-97-401(a), 17-97-402(a), 17-97-402(d), 17-97-402(g), 17-97-405(a), 17-97-405(c), 17-97-405, 17-97-406(a), 17-97-406(d)
Act 434: 17-97-401(a), 17-97-402(a), 17-97-402(d), 17-97-402(g), 17-97-403, 17-97-405(a), 17-97-405(c), 17-97-405, 17-97-406(a), 17-97-406(d)