490.001 Short title.—This chapter may be cited as the “Psychological Services Act.” History.—ss. 1, 3, ch. 81-235; ss. 1, 3, ch. 83-265; ss. 18, 19, ch. 87-252; s. 36, ch. 88-392; ss. 12, 13, ch. 89-70; s. 10, ch. 90-192; s. 4, ch. 91-429.
490.002 Intent.—The Legislature finds that as society becomes increasingly complex, emotional survival is equal in importance to physical survival. Therefore, in order to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the Legislature must provide privileged communication for members of the public or those acting on their behalf to encourage needed or desired psychological services […]
490.003 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: (1) “Board” means the Board of Psychology. (2) “Department” means the Department of Health. (3)(a) “Doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association accredited program” means a Psy.D., an Ed.D. in psychology, or a Ph.D. in psychology from a psychology program at an educational institution that, at the time the applicant was enrolled and […]
490.004 Board of Psychology.— (1) There is created within the department the Board of Psychology, composed of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. (2) Five members of the board must be psychologists licensed pursuant to this chapter in good standing in this state. The remaining two members must be citizens of the state […]
490.005 Licensure by examination.— (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a psychologist shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination. The department shall license each applicant whom the board certifies has met all of the following requirements: (a) Completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $500 and an […]
490.0051 Provisional licensure; requirements.— (1) The department shall issue a provisional psychology license to each applicant whom the board certifies has met all of the following criteria: (a) Completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $250, as set by board rule. (b) Earned a doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association accredited program. […]
490.006 Licensure by endorsement.— (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that the applicant: (a) Is a diplomate in good standing with the American Board of Professional Psychology, […]
490.007 Renewal of license.— (1) The department or, in the case of psychologists, the board shall prescribe by rule a method for the biennial renewal of a license at a fee set by rule, not to exceed $500. (2) Each applicant for renewal shall present satisfactory evidence that, in the period since the license was issued, the applicant […]
490.0085 Continuing education; approval of providers, programs, and courses; proof of completion.— (1) Continuing education providers, programs, and courses shall be approved by the department or, in the case of psychologists, the board. (2) The department or, in the case of psychologists, the board has the authority to set a fee not to exceed $500 for each applicant […]
490.009 Discipline.— (1) The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a license or disciplinary action, as specified in s. 456.072(2): (a) Attempting to obtain, obtaining, or renewing a license under this chapter by bribery or fraudulent misrepresentation or through an error of the board or department. (b) Having a license to practice a comparable profession revoked, suspended, or […]
490.0111 Sexual misconduct.—Sexual misconduct by any person licensed under this chapter, in the practice of her or his profession, is prohibited. Sexual misconduct shall be defined by rule. History.—ss. 1, 3, ch. 81-235; ss. 1, 3, ch. 83-265; ss. 9, 18, 19, ch. 87-252; s. 36, ch. 88-392; ss. 12, 13, ch. 89-70; s. 10, ch. […]
490.012 Violations; penalties; injunction.— (1)(a) No person shall hold herself or himself out by any professional title, name, or description incorporating the word “psychologist” unless such person holds a valid, active license as a psychologist under this chapter. (b) No person shall hold herself or himself out by any professional title, name, or description incorporating the words “school […]
490.0121 Licensed school psychologists; private sector services.—It shall not be a violation of s. 112.313(7) for a licensed school psychologist employed by a school district to provide private sector services to students within that district if: (1) The parent, guardian, or adult client is informed in writing prior to provision of services of their eligibility for such […]
490.014 Exemptions.— (1)(a) No provision of this chapter shall be construed to limit the practice of physicians licensed pursuant to chapter 458 or chapter 459 so long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as psychologists or use a professional title protected by this chapter. (b) No provision of this chapter shall be construed to […]
490.0141 Practice of hypnosis.—A licensed psychologist who is qualified as determined by the board may practice hypnosis as defined in s. 485.003(1). The provisions of this chapter may not be interpreted to limit or affect the right of any person qualified pursuant to chapter 485 to practice hypnosis pursuant to that chapter or to practice hypnosis […]
490.0143 Practice of sex therapy.—Only a person licensed by this chapter who meets the qualifications set by the board may hold himself or herself out as a sex therapist. The board shall define these qualifications by rule. In establishing these qualifications, the board may refer to the sexual disorder and sexual dysfunction sections of the most […]
490.0145 The practice of juvenile sexual offender therapy.—Only a person licensed by this chapter who meets the qualifications set by the board may hold himself or herself out as a juvenile sexual offender therapist, except as provided in s. 491.0144. These qualifications shall be determined by the board. The board shall require training and coursework in […]
490.0147 Confidentiality and privileged communications.— (1) Any communication between a psychologist and her or his patient or client is confidential. This privilege may be waived under the following conditions: (a) When the psychologist is a party defendant to a civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from a complaint filed by the patient or client, in which case the […]
490.0148 Psychologist and school psychologist records.—Each psychologist and school psychologist who provides services as defined in this chapter shall maintain records. The board or, in the case of a school psychologist, the department may adopt rules defining the minimum requirements for such records, including content, length of time such records shall be maintained, and transfer of […]
490.0149 Specialties.— (1) As used in this section, the term “certified psychology specialist,” “board-certified psychology specialist,” or “psychology diplomate” means a psychologist with recognized special competency acquired through an organized sequence of formal education, training, experience, and professional standing that is recognized by a certifying body approved by the board pursuant to criteria adopted under subsection (3). […]
