The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists adopts new rule §463.8, Licensed Psychological Associate, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 25, 2015, issue of the Texas Register (40 TexReg 9441). The rule will not be republished.

The new rule is being adopted to ensure the protection and safety of the public.

The new rule as adopted is intended to replace the current version of the rule and reflects a collaborative effort by the Board and its stakeholders to consolidate the rules governing supervision into a more intuitive format. The adopted new rule sets forth the same requirements for licensure as the current rules, but will eventually require the supervised experience necessary for licensure to be obtained as part of an organized course of study. The adopted new rule will also expand licensure opportunities by allowing applicants who possess a doctoral degree that is primarily psychological in nature, but who do not also have a master's degree, the ability to apply for licensure as a psychological associate. Lastly, the adopted new rule incorporates the designation of the title for an individual licensed under this rule, currently found in Board rule §461.9.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the new rule.

The new rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.