Bill Summary: Prescriptive Authority of Psychologists

• Effective October 1, 2019, licensed psychologists in Connecticut may apply to the Department of Public Health for certification to prescribe, administer, and dispense Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances.

• To obtain certification, psychologists must complete a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology approved by the department, pass an examination in psychopharmacology, and complete at least 80 hours of clinical preceptorship with a primary care provider.

• Following certification, psychologists must complete at least one year and 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice under a psychiatry-certified physician or psychiatric nurse specialist, including treatment of at least 100 patients and 400 hours of direct prescription drug management.

• Certified psychologists may prescribe controlled substances relevant to psychology practice for psychiatric, psychological, mental health, cognitive, nervous, emotional, substance use, and behavioral disorders, and must maintain prescription records and coordinate care with patients' primary care providers.

• Renewal of certification requires completion of a minimum 40 hours of continuing education in clinical pharmacology, neuropharmacology, clinical psychopharmacology, and medically assisted substance use disorder treatment.