(a)
(1) There is created the Arkansas Psychology Board, which shall consist of nine (9) members who shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of five (5) years.
(2) The Governor shall appoint:
(A) One (1) academic psychologist engaged in the full-time teaching of psychology at the graduate level at an approved institute of higher education or holding an active faculty appointment in an American Psychological Association-approved pre- or post-doctoral internship program;
(B)
(i) Four (4) practicing psychologists engaged in the full-time practice of psychology with at least one (1) psychologist engaged in the full-time, private practice of psychology.
(ii) The Governor shall ensure that the psychologist members reflect a diversity of practice specialties, including, but not limited to, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, health psychology, neuro-psychology, and school psychology;
(C) Two (2) psychological examiners engaged in the full-time practice of psychology; and
(D) Two (2) persons who are not actively engaged in or retired from the practice of psychology who shall be voting members-at-large.
(3)
(A) The academic psychologist member, the practicing psychologist members, and the psychological examiner members shall be appointed by the Governor after consulting the Arkansas Psychological Association Incorporated and the Arkansas Association of Masters in Psychology, Inc. and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(B)
(i) Of the two (2) members appointed pursuant to subdivision (a)(2)(D) of this section, one (1) member shall represent consumers, and one (1) member shall be sixty (60) years of age or older and shall represent the elderly.
(ii) Both shall be appointed from the state at large, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(iii) The two (2) positions may not be held by the same person.
(iv) Both shall be full voting members but shall not vote on or participate in the administration or grading of examinations of applicants for licensure.
(C)
(i) Any public member appointed under subdivision (a)(2)(D) of this section after July 28, 1995, shall be an Arkansas resident and shall have resided in Arkansas for at least five (5) years immediately preceding appointment.
(ii) Furthermore, the person shall never have been a psychologist or psychological examiner, an applicant or former applicant for licensure as a psychologist or psychological examiner, a member of another mental health profession, a member of a household that includes a psychologist or psychological examiner, or otherwise have conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts with his or her duties as a board member.
(4)
(A) Each psychologist and psychological examiner appointed to the board after July 28, 1995, shall reside within the State of Arkansas, hold a current valid license to practice, and shall have been licensed to practice psychology in Arkansas for at least five (5) years immediately preceding his or her appointment to the board.
(B) At the time of appointment, each such member shall be free of any conflict of interest and the appearance of any conflict with his or her duties as a member of the board.
(C) To the extent possible, psychologist and psychological examiner board members shall be members or fellows of state or national professional organizations, such as the Arkansas Psychological Association Incorporated, the Arkansas Association of Masters in Psychology, Inc., or the American Psychological Association.
(5)
(A) The Governor shall fill all vacancies on the board within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs.
(B) The Governor shall remove any member from the board if he or she:
(i) Ceases to be qualified;
(ii) Fails to attend three (3) successive board meetings without just cause as determined by the board;
(iii) Is found to be in violation of this chapter;
(iv) Pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of a felony listed under § 17-3-102 by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(v) Pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in relation to his or her board duties by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) All vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term and, for the professional members from the list of those qualified, within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs.
(c) The term of each member shall expire on December 31 of the year designated, and on or before that date, for the professional members, the association shall make its recommendations to the Governor for a successor appointee. A successor appointee shall be named by the Governor on or before the expiration date of the terms so expiring.
(d) Immediately and before entering upon the duties of office, the members of the board shall take the constitutional oath of office and shall file it in the office of the Governor, who upon receiving the oath of office shall issue to each member a certificate of appointment.
(e) Each member may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq. However, that expense shall in no case exceed the fees collected by the board.