SB2465 - Psychologists; Continuing Education; Licensure

• Requires psychologists in Hawaii to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of continuing education for each biennial license renewal beginning July 1, 2016.

• Defines "continuing education" as courses approved by the American Psychological Association, Hawaii Psychological Association, or other state/provincial psychological associations, with one credit hour equal to 50 minutes of instruction.

• Exempts first-time licensees from the continuing education requirement for their first license renewal.

• Allows the board to grant extensions for noncompliance based on isolated geographical practice areas or serious extenuating circumstances, requiring 36 hours of continuing education in the following biennium if granted.

• Authorizes the board to conduct random audits of licensees to verify continuing education compliance and establishes false certification of compliance as grounds for license discipline.