HB 1739 -- Licensure of Prescribing Psychologists

Sponsor:  Moore

This bill authorizes the licensure of prescribing psychologist
under the State Committee of Psychologists in the Division of
Professional Registration within the Department of Insurance,
Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration.  Persons
licensed as prescribing psychologists will be authorized to
prescribe certain Schedule II stimulants and Schedule IV
tranquilizers or any other psychological treatment or laboratory
test as it relates to the practice of psychology, excluding
electrical convulsive therapy.

Prescribing psychologist licenses will only be issued to licensed
psychologists who meet certain criteria established in the bill.
These requirements include completing 400 hours of didactic
educational training recommended by the American Psychological
Association; completing a one-year fellowship, with weekly
supervision of a physician and maintaining a full-time caseload
of patients during the year with duties of medication management,
psychological evaluations, and therapeutic services; and passing
a national examination testing competency to engage in the
practice of prescriptive authority.  The division may promulgate
rules creating additional requirements based on current
educational guidelines established by the American Psychological
Association.

After receiving his or her license to prescribe, a psychologist
must enter into a collaborative practice agreement with a
licensed physician for a one-year period to diagnose and treat
medical problems.

Psychologists holding prescribing authorization are required to
maintain appropriate medical liability insurance and complete at
least 20 hours of psychopharmacology continuing education credit
within the two-year period preceding a license renewal in
addition to their general 40-hour continuing education
requirement.

Pharmacists are authorized to fill prescriptions written by
licensed prescribing psychologists.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm