HI HB2169

Authorizes the Board of Psychology to grant prescriptive authority to clinical psychologists who complete specialized training in psychopharmacology, including 800 hours of clinical practicum, supervision of 100+ patients, and passing a national proficiency examination, beginning July 1, 2027

Restricts prescribing psychologists from prescribing Schedule I, II, or III controlled substances, opiates, or narcotics, with exceptions for stimulants to treat ADHD and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder

Requires prescribing psychologists to maintain a collaborative agreement with the patient's primary care provider and consult on all medication changes; patients without a primary care provider cannot receive prescriptions

Addresses Hawaii's critical psychiatrist shortage, particularly on neighbor islands where shortages reach up to 75%, by expanding mental health professionals with prescribing authority

Establishes continuing education requirements of 18 hours biennially for prescriptive authority renewal and allows reciprocity for psychologists with five or more years of prescribing experience from other authorized states or federal programs