A person other than a licensed psychologist may perform psychological functions in preparation for licensure as a psychologist only if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The person shall register himself or herself with the board as a “psychological assistant.” This registration shall be renewed annually in accordance with regulations adopted by the board.
(b) The person (1) has completed a master’s degree in psychology or education with the field of specialization in psychology or counseling psychology, or (2) has been admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree in psychology or education with the field of specialization in psychology or counseling psychology, after having satisfactorily completed three or more years of postgraduate education in psychology and having passed preliminary doctoral examinations, or (3) has completed a doctoral degree that qualifies for licensure under Section 2914.
(c) (1) The psychological assistant is at all times under the immediate supervision, as defined in regulations adopted by the board, of a licensed psychologist, or a licensed physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American College of Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, who shall be responsible for insuring that the extent, kind, and quality of the psychological services that the psychological assistant performs are consistent with his or her training and experience and be responsible for the psychological assistant’s compliance with this chapter and regulations.
(2) A licensed psychologist or board certified psychiatrist shall not supervise more than three psychological assistants at any given time. No psychological assistant may provide psychological services to the public except as a supervisee pursuant to this section.
(d) The psychological assistant shall comply with regulations that the board may, from time to time, duly adopt relating to the fulfillment of requirements in continuing education.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 484, Sec. 2. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2017.)