The proposed bill would update current statutes to allow licensed psychologists to apply for a prescription license, enabling them to prescribe psychotropic medications in collaboration with licensed physicians starting January 1, 2027. This new provision would be inserted as allows a licensed psychologist to apply for a prescription license to enter into a collaborative prescription agreement with a licensed physician to prescribe psychotropic medication to treat mental health and substance use disorders. The bill also introduces specific requirements for obtaining this license, including educational qualifications and completion of a Board-approved program, while establishing guidelines for collaborative prescription agreements, including requires a collaborative prescription agreement for all prescribing psychologists with a prescription license issued in accordance with statute and prohibits a prescribing psychologist from delegating prescribing authority to any other person. Additionally, the bill mandates that prescribing psychologists can only prescribe medication to patients with whom they have an established psychologist-patient relationship and must continue providing clinical services throughout the duration of the prescribed medication. It also prohibits prescribing psychologists from prescribing to individuals under 18, over 65, pregnant, or medically complex, as determined by a collaborating physician. New definitions and requirements for prescribing psychologists include continuing education in pharmacology and psychopharmacology and the establishment of a collaborative prescription agreement with a licensed physician. The bill further outlines the roles of the Arizona medical board and the Arizona board of osteopathic examiners in overseeing complaints related to prescribing psychologists and exempts these boards from rulemaking requirements for two years, enhancing regulatory oversight while ensuring patient safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1403, 32-1460, 32-1803, 32-1862, 36-2604, 36-2606, 32-1436, 32-1405, 32-1451, 41-1091, 32-1272, 32-2095, 32-2907, 38-431.03, 32-1855, 32-1401, 32-1800, 32-2095.01, 32-2071, 32-2095.02, 32-2095.03, 32-2095.04, 32-2074, 32-2095.05, 32-1904, 12-2293, 23-1026, 11-593, 36-198, 36-2901, 11-594, 20-3151
Senate Engrossed Version: 32-1403, 32-1460, 32-1803, 32-1862, 36-2604, 36-2606, 32-1436, 32-1405, 32-1451, 41-1091, 32-1272, 32-2095, 32-2907, 38-431.03, 32-1855, 32-1401, 32-1800, 32-2095.01, 32-2071, 32-2095.02, 32-2095.03, 32-2095.04, 32-2074, 32-2095.05, 32-1904, 12-2293, 23-1026, 11-593, 36-198, 36-2901, 11-594, 20-3151