The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes an amendment to rule §473.2, Examination Fees (Non-Refundable). The proposed amendment is necessary because the agency no longer has the resources needed to administer the oral examination. Without these changes, doctoral level applicants otherwise qualified for independent practice would be unable to achieve licensure as a psychologist.

FISCAL NOTE. Darrel D. Spinks, Executive Director of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendment is in effect, there will be no additional estimated cost, reduction in costs, or loss or increase in revenue to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule as amended. Additionally, Mr. Spinks has determined that enforcing or administering the rule as amended does not have foreseeable implications relating to the costs or revenues of state or local government.

PUBLIC BENEFIT. Mr. Spinks has determined for the first five-year period the proposed amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to help the Board protect the public.

PROBABLE ECONOMIC COSTS. Mr. Spinks has determined for the first five-year period the proposed amendment is in effect, the amended rule will not carry an economic cost to small businesses or local economies.

SMALL BUSINESS AND MICRO-BUSINESS IMPACT ANALYSIS. The proposed amendment will not have an adverse effect on small or micro-businesses.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT. The proposed amendment will not affect a local economy, thus a local employment impact statement is not required.

Comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted to Brenda Skiff, Public Information Officer, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Ste. 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, within 30 days of publication of this proposal in the Texas Register. Comments may also be submitted via fax to (512) 305-7701, or via email to Open.Records@tsbep.texas.gov.

The Board specifically invites comments from the public on the issues of whether or not the proposed amendment will have an adverse economic effect on small businesses, if the proposed rule is believed to have an adverse effect on small businesses, estimate the number of small businesses believed to be impacted by the rule, describe and estimate the economic impact of the rule on small businesses, offer alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the rule; then explain how the Board may legally and feasibly reduce that adverse effect on small businesses considering the purpose of the statute under which the proposed rule is to be adopted, finally describe how the health, safety, environmental and economic welfare of the state will be impacted by the various proposed methods. See Section 2006.002(c) and (c-1) of the Texas Government Code.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY. The amendment is proposed 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.

No other code, articles or statutes are affected by this section.