1.Whose responsibility is it to notify patients, prior to the rendering of psychological services by a psychological assistant, that the assistant is unlicensed and is under the direction and supervision of a licensed psychologist?

Pursuant to California Code of Regulations section 1391.6(b), the primary supervisor shall inform each client or patient, prior to the rendering of services by the psychological assistant, that the assistant is unlicensed and is under the direction and supervision of the supervisor.

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2.Is a psychological assistant accruing hours of supervised professional experience required to keep a written log to document the hours of supervised experience?

Yes. Regulation section 1387.5 requires that all supervisees maintain a written, weekly log of all hours of supervised professional experience gained toward licensure.

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3.May a psychological assistant rent office space from his/her supervisor?

No. 1391.8(c) does not allow a psychological assistant to rent, lease, sublease, or lease-purchase office space from the supervisor/employer.

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4. The following is a three-part question:

a. Psychological assistant registrations expire January 31 each year. When do the registrations become delinquent?

February 1^st; however, 1391.12(b) allows the psychological assistant to renew within 30 days after the January 31^st expiration date.

b. When do the registrations become void and canceled if not renewed?

Regulation section 1391.12(e) states that a registration that is not renewed within 60 days after the January 31^st renewal date shall become void and a new application for registration shall be submitted by the employer.

c. Is a psychological assistant allowed to practice while his/her registration is delinquent?

No. This would be the illegal practice of psychology. The psychological assistant no longer holds a current and valid registration once the registration is delinquent.

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5.How long is a supervisor given to notify the board in writing that a psychological assistant registration has been terminated?

Regulation section 1391.11 states that a supervisor/employer must notify the board in writing within 30 days after termination of employment.

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6.What is the fee for the psychological assistant application fee who is required to pay the fee?

Regulation sections 1392.1(a) requires the supervisor/employer of a psychological assistant to pay the $40.00 application fee for registration.

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7.What percentage of time must the supervisor be “on-site” when the psychological assistant is rendering professional services?

As of January 1, 2005, supervisors of psychological assistants no longer need to be on-site when the psychological assistant is rendering services. Regulation section 1391.5(a) requires that the supervisor be employed in the same work setting and be available to the assistant 100% of the time the assistant is rendering professional services.

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8.What is the minimum amount of direct, individual, face-to-face supervision that must be provided by the supervisor to psychological assistants in order for the hours of supervised professional experience to count toward licensure?

Regulation sections 1387(b)(4) and 1391.5(b) require the supervisor to provide to the trainee a minimum of one (1) hour per week of direct, individual, face-to-face supervision. However, if the psychological assistant is accruing hours to meet the licensing requirements, 10% supervision is required pursuant to section 1387 of the California Code of Regulations.

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9. The following is a two-part question:

a. Is it legal for a psychological assistant to begin rendering psychological services prior to notification by the board that a registration has been approved?

No. The unlicensed/unregistered practice of psychology is illegal.

b. Is a probationary period allowable prior to registration?

No. Registration is required prior to commencement of professional services.

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10.Is it acceptable to supervise a psychological assistant who is a current or former patient?

No. Regulation section 1387.1(k) prohibits a qualified supervisor from supervising a supervisee who is, or has been, a psychotherapy client of the supervisor.

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11.What is the maximum number of hours of supervised professional experience that a psychological assistant can earn in a month that will count toward the licensure requirements?

Regulation section 1387(b)(5) limits the number of hours to 176 hours per month (44 hours per week).

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12.Can a psychological assistant earn hours of supervised professional experience under the supervision of a family member or business associate?

No. For a supervisor to have a familial or interpersonal relationship with the psychological assistant would be a violation of regulation section 1387.1(j).

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13.Can a supervisor charge psychological assistants a fee for supervision?

No. To do so would be a violation of regulation sections 1391.8(a) and 1387(b)(8) which state that qualified supervisors may not charge a fee or otherwise require monetary payment in consideration for the supervision of a psychological assistant.

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14. The following is a two-part question:

a. What is the maximum number of psychological assistants that can be registered to a psychologist at one time?

B & P Code section 2913(d) states that no qualified psychologist can supervise more than three (3) psychological assistants at any given time.

b. How many to a board-certified psychiatrist?

B & P Code section 2913(d) states that no board-certified psychiatrist can supervise more than one (1) psychological assistant at any given time.

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15.What kind of information must be reported to the board on an annual basis by the supervisor of a psychological assistant?

1391.10 requires that every supervisor of a psychological assistant submit to the board a report for the preceding calendar year showing: 1) the nature of the limited psychological functions performed by the psychological assistant, 2) evidence of employment, 3) the location, type, extent and amount of supervision, and 4) a certification that the limited psychological functions are within the scope of the psychological assistant’s education and training. This information is reported on the registration renewal form.

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16.It is preferable that psychological assistants not advertise their services since they are unlicensed practitioners who are allowed to perform limited functions under direct supervision. If, however, letterhead or other advertisement is developed for a psychological assistant, what kind of information (in your opinion) should be contained in the advertisement?

That the person is supervised, his or her registration number, the name and license number of the supervisor.

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