HB23-1071 Summary

• Licensed psychologists in Colorado may prescribe psychotropic medications for mental health treatment after obtaining a prescription certificate from the State Board of Psychologist Examiners with approval from the Colorado Medical Board.

• Applicants for prescription certificates must complete a doctoral psychology program, a Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology with at least 450 classroom hours, pass the psychopharmacology examination, and complete 750+ hours of supervised clinical practicum treating at least 150 clients under physician supervision.

• Prescribing psychologists must maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with patients' primary care physicians, obtain patient consent to share information with physicians, and receive written physician agreement before prescribing medications.

• The State Board of Psychologist Examiners must include one prescribing psychologist member and implement a questionnaire for license renewal applicants to verify compliance with prescribing requirements and relevant statutory provisions.

• The bill takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case it must be approved by voters at the November 2024 general election.