Existing law prohibits, with certain exceptions, a person from representing himself or herself as a psychologist or engaging in the practice of psychology unless the person has been issued a license by the Board of Psychological Examiners. Existing law provides an exception from that prohibition to authorize a psychological scientist employed by an accredited educational institution or public agency which has set forth explicit standards to represent himself or herself by the title conferred upon him or her by the institution or agency. (NRS 641.390) This bill removes that exception, thus prohibiting a psychological scientist from representing himself or herself as a psychologist without a license issued by the Board. Existing law provides that the provisions of existing law governing psychologists do not prevent the teaching of psychology or psychological research that does not involve the delivery or supervision of direct psychological services to a person. (NRS 641.390) This bill specifies that the provisions of existing law governing psychologists do not prevent such activities when conducted at an accredited educational institution. Existing law also authorizes a person who has obtained a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited educational institution to use the title “psychologist” in conjunction with the teaching of psychology or psychological research that does not involve the delivery or supervision of direct psychological services to a person. (NRS 641.390) This bill revises that provision to authorize such a person to use the title “psychologist” in conjunction with such teaching or psychological research only when those activities are conducted at an accredited educational institution.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 641.390
As Enrolled: 641.390
BDR: 641.390