RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 731 (HB 828) 2024 Regular Session Miller
Prior law required a medical psychologist who sought a license before Jan. 1, 2010 to be
issued a medical psychology license by the La. State Bd. of Medical Examiners (LSBME)
if the medical psychologist satisfied all of the following requirements:
(1) Holds a current and unrestricted license to practice psychology by the La. State Bd.
of Examiners of Psychologists.
(2) Holds a current and unrestricted certificate of prescriptive authority issued by the La.
State Bd. of Examiners of Psychologists.
(3) Holds a controlled and dangerous substance permit issued by the La. Bd. of
Pharmacy.
(4) Holds a controlled substance registration issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration.
New law repeals these requirements.
Existing law requires a medical psychologist who sought a license after Jan. 1, 2010 to be
issued a medical psychology license by LSBME and meet all of the following criteria:
(1) Hold a current and unrestricted license to practice psychology by the La. State Bd.
of Examiners of Psychologists.
(2) Have successfully graduated with a post-doctoral master's degree in clinical
psychopharmacology from a regionally accredited institution or a similar institution
subject to approval by LSBME.
(3) Have passed a national exam in psychopharmacology approved by LSBME.
New law removes the reference to Jan. 1, 2010 and adds the requirement that the applicant
must have successfully completed at least three years of clinical experience.
New law provides that once a medical psychologist receives a license to practice medical
psychology from LSBME, the licensee shall be exclusively licensed by LSBME and shall not
be required to obtain or maintain a license to practice psychology issued by any other board
or professional organization. New law further states that a medical psychologist may also
choose to maintain a license as a psychologist who is governed by the La. State Bd. of
Examiners of Psychologists.
Prior law stated that a medical psychologist shall only prescribe medication in consultation
and collaboration with a patient's primary or attending physician and with concurrence of that
physician.
New law removes the specific reference to physician and replaces it with primary care
provider, which is defined as a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner
responsible for a patient's primary care. New law explains that if the primary care provider
is not physician, the medical psychologist shall include the supervising or collaborating
physician on any collaborations, consultations, notices, updates, or summaries.
Existing law provides that a medical psychologist must re-consult with a patient's physician
prior to making any changes to the medication treatment protocol, as established or directed
by the physician. The re-consultation shall be documented by the medical psychologist in the
patient's medical record. In the event that a patient does not have primary or attending
physician, the medical psychologist shall not treat the patient.
New law replaces physician with primary care provider, as defined in new law.
Existing law provides that a medical psychologist may obtain a certificate of advanced
practice if the medical psychologist is in compliance with licensing requirement of existing
law. New law retains the requirements of existing law, but removes references to medical
psychologists who obtained a license before Jan. 1, 2010 in accordance with new law.
Existing law requires that a medical psychologist holding a certificate of advanced practice
shall collaborate with a patient's attending or primary physician for the provision of care.
New law replaces the term physician with primary care provider, as defined in new law.
New law adds definitions.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 37:1360.55, 1360.56(A), (B), (C), 1360.57(intro. para.), (1), (2), and (5), and
1360.62; Adds R.S. 37:1360.52(12)-(15))


Statutes affected:
HB828 Original: 37:56(A), 37:57, 37:52(12)
HB828 Engrossed: 37:56(A), 37:57, 37:52(12)
HB828 Reengrossed: 37:56(A), 37:57, 37:52(12)
HB828 Enrolled: 37:56(A), 37:57
HB828 Act 731: 37:56(A), 37:57