Florida Board of Psychology » 2020 Legislative Update

Bills Impacting Psychology:

Changes to section 490.003, Florida Statutes (F.S.):

A reference to obsolete psychologist educational requirements in effect prior to July 1, 1999 was removed; and
A specific reference to the American Psychological Association (APA) was added. The specific reference to the APA simply clarified current education requirements, it did not impose a new requirement.

Changes to section 490.005, F.S.:

A reference to Canada was eliminated. Removal of the Canadian reference will allow applicants who obtained their education in Canada to demonstrate they have an education comparable to an APA program. This change was required because the APA no longer accredits Canadian doctoral programs;
Outdated language was removed that referenced an augmented or comparable doctoral education. The ability of applicants who obtained their degree in the United States to augment an insufficient degree or show comparability to an APA accredited program has not been available since 1999 and 2001 respectively; and
An outdated reference to the school psychology educational accrediting agency, Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation was updated with the successor agency, Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Changes to section 490.006, F.S.:

The licensure method of endorsement of other state license was eliminated; and
The application method endorsement of 20 years licensed psychology experience was changed to require only 10 years of licensed experience.

The bill prohibits the Department of Health (DOH) from denying the issuance of, refusing to renew, suspending, or revoking a professional license based solely on the licensee being delinquent on a payment of or defaulting on his or her student loans. The bill removes the specific provision allowing DOH to discipline a health care practitioner for failing to repay a student loan and the associated mandatory discipline. The bill repeals the requirement that DOH must issue an emergency order suspending a health care practitioner’s license for a student loan default, absent timely proof of a new repayment plan. Additionally, the bill repeals the requirement that DOH must obtain a monthly list from the United States Health and Human Services (USHHS) of the health care practitioners who have defaulted on their student loans.