21 NCAC 54 .2009             LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

(a)  Except as provided in Rule .1707 of this Chapter, to be issued a permanent license at the Psychologist level, an applicant shall document a minimum of 2 years consisting of at least 3000 hours of supervised practice which shall meet the requirements specified in Paragraphs (i) and (j) of this Rule. A minimum of 1 calendar year consisting of at least 1500 hours of this supervised practice shall be accrued at the postdoctoral level.

(b)  A psychologist who meets all other requirements for a permanent license set forth in G.S. 90-270.145(a) except the two years of supervised experience shall be issued a provisional license at the Psychologist level and shall comply with supervision requirements specified in this Rule.

(c)  If practicing psychology in North Carolina, a provisional licensee shall receive at least one hour per week of face-to-face individual supervision by an appropriate supervisor as defined in Rule .2001 of this Section until permanent status is approved by the Board.

(d)  A provisional licensee who engages in the practice of psychology in a jurisdiction other than North Carolina shall not be required to receive supervision specified in this Rule for those services rendered in another jurisdiction so long as said services in another jurisdiction shall be rendered in a manner consistent with that jurisdiction's legal requirements.

(e)  A written, notarized supervision contract form shall be filed within 30 days of a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the Board and within 30 days after receiving written notification from the Board that the filing of a new form is necessary to provide for the protection of the public or the regulation of the practice of psychology. A supervision contract form shall document either that supervision is required and shall be received, or that supervision is not required. A separate supervision contract form shall be filed for each separate work setting. A work setting is considered as self-employment, employment under an umbrella agency, or employment at a stand-alone business entity. If receiving supervision from more than one supervisor, a separate supervision contract form shall be filed with each individual supervisor.

(f)  A supervisor shall report to the Board that agreed upon supervision has occurred and shall file a final report upon termination of supervision. If not receiving supervision, it shall be the responsibility of the provisional licensee to report such to the Board. A report shall be submitted to the Board within 30 days after receiving written notification from the Board that such is due, within 2 weeks of termination of supervision, and within 2 weeks of a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the Board.

(g)  Additional supervision and reporting to the Board shall be required in cases where the Board determines by reviewing previous supervision reports or other information (e.g. reference letters, ethical complaints, etc.) problems in the supervisee's failure to practice in accordance with G.S. 90-270.148(a). Additional documentation or an interview with the Board or its designated representative(s) may be required when questions arise regarding the supervisee's practice due to information supplied or omitted on supervision contract forms and reports or when required forms are not filed with the Board.

(h)  One year of supervised experience shall meet all of the following criteria for a training program in psychology:

(1)           The training shall be a planned sequence of training experience in the practice of psychology, in contrast to "on the job" training, and shall provide the trainee with a planned, programmed sequence of training experience.

(2)           The training site shall have a written statement or brochure which describes its training program and is made available to prospective trainees.

(3)           Trainees shall be designated as "interns," fellows," or "residents," or shall hold other designation which indicates training status.

(4)           The training shall be completed within a consecutive period of 24 months.

(5)           The training shall consist of at least 1500 hours of practice in psychology as defined by G.S. 90-270.136(8).

(6)           A minimum of two doctorally trained licensed, certified, or license eligible psychologists shall be supervisors at the training site.

(7)           The training shall be under the direction of a licensed, certified, or license eligible doctorally trained psychologist who shall be on the staff of the training site, who shall approve and monitor the training, who shall be familiar with the training site's purposes and functions, and who shall agree to assume responsibility for the quality, suitability, and implementation of the training experience.

(8)           The training shall provide a minimum of two hours per week of individual face‑to‑face discussion of the trainee's practice, with the intent of overseeing the psychological services rendered by the trainee. Supervision may be provided in part by psychiatrists, social workers, or other related professionals qualified by the training site, but at least 50% of supervision shall be provided by licensed, certified, or license‑eligible doctorally trained psychologists.

(9)           In addition to individual supervision, the training site shall provide a minimum of two hours per week of instruction which may be met by group supervision, assigned reading, seminars, and similarly constituted organized training experiences.

(10)         Internships accredited by the American Psychological Association shall be deemed to meet the requirements in this Paragraph.

(i)  One year of supervised experience shall meet all of the following criteria:

(1)           A minimum of one hour per week of face-to-face, individual supervision shall be provided.

(2)           The experience shall consist of a minimum of 1 calendar year, shall include 1500 hours of practice, and shall be completed within a consecutive 4-year period.

(3)           Supervision shall be provided for the practice of psychology as defined by G.S. 90-270.136(8).

(4)           Supervision shall be provided by an individual who is an appropriate supervisor of licensees as defined in Rule .2001 of this Section.

(j)  Contract and report forms can be obtained from the Board's website.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-270.139(d); 90-270.143;

Eff. July 1, 1997;

Readopted Eff. April 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2021.