Alaska psychology board proposes dropping its state law and ethics exam for new licensees

People seeking a psychology license in Alaska would no longer have to pass a state exam on Alaska law and ethics, under a proposal from the state Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners.

Applicants who apply by examination now have to pass two tests: the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the State Law and Ethics Examination. Under the proposed rules, the national exam would be the only one.

The state exam's questions are based on Alaska's psychology licensing law, the state's mental health commitment laws, the board's rules and the American Psychological Association's guidelines and code of conduct, according to the rule being repealed.

The board's FAQ calls the state exam "a significant barrier to licensure." It says dropping it would save applicants the cost of traveling to Anchorage and staying there to take it, and would cut administrative time and cost. The FAQ says no negative impacts are expected. A 2023 board meeting packet described the exam as part of the board's role in protecting the public.

The proposal would change other rules, too.

Psychologists whose licenses were revoked, suspended or restricted would no longer have to appear before the board in person to show they're fit to practice again. Psychologists also would no longer need four hours of telepsychology training before treating clients in Alaska remotely. The FAQ says the profession's code of ethics already requires training before taking on a new kind of practice, so the rule is redundant.

The continuing education requirement of 40 hours every two years, including three in ethics, would stay. But licensees could earn all of it through individual study, instead of half, and would no longer need any live, interactive courses. New licensees would need fewer hours, or none, for their first renewal, depending on how long they've been licensed. Licensees would no longer send in certificates with their renewals, but they'd have to keep them for random audits.

The board says the changes respond to Gov. Mike Dunleavy's order on regulatory reform. They come as psychologists' license fees more than double, to $1,100 every two years, starting Nov. 27.

Written comments are due Dec. 10 through the state's online notice. The board can then adopt the rules, change them or drop them.