PA HB1000

Licensed psychologists in Pennsylvania may obtain a "prescription certificate" allowing them to prescribe psychotropic medications for mental health and substance abuse disorders after completing a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology, 480 hours of supervised clinical training (including treating at least 100 patients), and passing a national certification exam.

Prescribing psychologists must maintain an ongoing collaborative relationship with each patient's primary care provider to ensure appropriate medical examinations are conducted and medications are suitable for the patient's condition.

The State Board of Psychology expands from 9 to 11 members, with at least 2 of the 8 licensed psychologist members required to be prescribing psychologists.

Prescribing psychologists may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and opioid antagonists/partial agonists for addiction treatment, but may not prescribe narcotics except those FDA-approved for treating or preventing relapse of drug addiction.

Prescribing psychologists must complete 16 additional hours of continuing education per renewal period beyond standard psychologist license requirements, maintain professional liability insurance covering prescribing, and register their DEA number with the board.