(a)
Except as provided in this section, on or after January 1, 1996, the board shall not issue any renewal license unless the applicant submits proof that he or she has completed no less than 18 hours of approved continuing education in the preceding year. On or after January 1, 1997, except as provided in this section, the board shall issue renewal licenses only to those applicants who have completed 36 hours of approved continuing education in the preceding two years.
(b)
Each person renewing his or her license issued pursuant to this chapter shall submit proof of compliance with this section to the board. False statements submitted pursuant to this section shall be a violation of Section 2970.
(c)
A person applying for relicensure or for reinstatement to an active license status shall certify under penalty of perjury that he or she is in compliance with this section.
(d)
(1)The continuing education requirement shall include, but shall not be limited to, courses required pursuant to Sections 25 and 28. The requirement may include courses pursuant to Sections 32 and 2914.1.
(2)
(A)The board shall require a licensed psychologist who began graduate study prior to January 1, 2004, to take a continuing education course during his or her first renewal period after the operative date of this section in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken prior to the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement.
(B)
Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under subdivision (a).
(C)
A licensed psychologist whose practice does not include the direct provision of mental health services may apply to the board for an exemption from the requirements of this paragraph.
(3)
Continuing education instruction approved to meet the requirements of this section shall be completed within the State of California, or shall be approved for continuing education credit by the American Psychological Association or its equivalent as approved by the board.
(e)
The board may establish a policy for exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section.
(f)
The board may recognize continuing education courses that have been approved by one or more private nonprofit organizations that have at least 10 years’ experience managing continuing education programs for psychologists on a statewide basis, including, but not limited to:
(1)
Maintaining and managing related records and data.
(2)
Monitoring and approving courses.
(g)
The board shall adopt regulations as necessary for implementation of this section.
(h)
A licensed psychologist shall choose continuing education instruction that is related to the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for the client population being served or to the fields of psychology in which the psychologist intends to provide services, that may include new theoretical approaches, research, and applied techniques. Continuing education instruction shall include required courses specified in subdivision (d).
(i)
A psychologist shall not practice outside his or her particular field or fields of competence as established by his or her education, training, continuing education, and experience.
(j)
The administration of this section may be funded through professional license fees and continuing education provider and course approval fees, or both. The fees related to the administration of this section shall not exceed the costs of administering the corresponding provisions of this section.
(k)
Continuing education credit may be approved for those licensees who serve as commissioners on any examination pursuant to Section 2947, subject to limitations established by the board.
(l)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2004.