HB584 Summary

• Amends Alabama psychology licensing statutes to comprehensively revise the definition of psychology practice, including expanded scope for psychologists and psychological technicians with detailed specifications for permitted services and supervision requirements.

• Increases penalties for unauthorized practice of psychology from a Class C to Class B misdemeanor with fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 per occurrence, and establishes civil remedies allowing the board to seek injunctions in Circuit Court of Montgomery County.

• Requires applicants for licensure to be U.S. citizens or legally present with federal documentation, establishes temporary and emergency disaster licensing provisions allowing out-of-state practitioners up to 30-60 days annually, and creates provisions for inactive license status.

• Modifies Board of Examiners composition from six to seven members, reducing academic psychologist seats from two to one and increasing practicing psychologist seats from three to five, while maintaining one psychological technician member and one public member.

• Adjusts licensing fees and continuing education requirements, adds background check fees charged to applicants, increases notice period for disciplinary hearings from 20 to 30 days, and restricts board member participation if they assisted in complaint investigation.