Proposed Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:42-5.4 and 6.1
Proposed New Rule: N.J.A.C. 13:42-2.4

Degrees Earned Outside the United States ; License Without Examination; Board Fees

Authorized By: State Board of Psychological Examiners, J. Michael Walker, Executive Director.

Authority: N.J.S.A. 45:14B-13.

Calendar Reference: See Summary below for explanation of exception to the calendar requirement.

Proposal Number : PRN 2009-352 .

Submit written comments by January 15, 2010 to:

J. Michael Walker, Executive Director
State Board of Psychological Examiners
124 Halsey Street
P.O. 45017
Newark , NJ 07101

The agency proposal follows:

Summary

The New Jersey Board of Psychological Examiners (the Board) proposes new rule N.J.A.C. 13:42-2.4 to set forth standards for applicants who completed their education in another country. Such applicants must show that they hold a doctorate degree in psychology that is equivalent to a degree earned in the United States . Applicants will also have to submit a credential evaluation to the Board.

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:42-5.4(b), the Board may license a psychologist who holds the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ). As of June 30, 2006, the ASPPB no longer includes an oral examination as a requirement for the CPQ and it is no longer equivalent to the Board's requirements for licensure. The Board proposes to amend N.J.A.C. 13:42-5.4(b), so that the CPQ avenue to licensure is limited to those who obtained the CPQ prior to June 30, 2006.

The Board is proposing to amend N.J.A.C. 13:42-6.1 to delete reference to a fee for the written examination, which the Board does not charge. The Board is also deleting the late fee for renewal applications sent over 30 days late and reference to the date on which late renewal fees must be submitted. These provisions do not conform to the renewal requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:42-10.17. The reinstatement fee provided in N.J.A.C. 13:42-6.1(a)6 is $ 300.00, in addition to the biennial renewal fee.

The Board has determined that the comment period for this notice of proposal shall be 60 days; therefore, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 1:30-3.3(a)5, this notice is excepted from the rulemaking calendar requirement.

Social Impact

The Board believes that proposed new rule N.J.A.C. 13:42-2.4 will protect the public by ensuring that psychologists educated in another country have completed the same education as those educated in the United States . The proposed amendment to N.J.A.C. 13:42-5.4 will protect the public by ensuring that all psychologists have completed an oral examination. Both of these provisions ensure that licensed psychologists are properly prepared to provide psychological services to New Jersey patients.

Economic Impact

Proposed new rule N.J.A.C. 13:42-2.4 requires applicants licensed in another country to provide proof that their doctorate degree is equivalent to one obtained in the United States . The rule also requires applicants to submit a credential evaluation. The cost of providing this proof and the evaluation will be borne by applicants.

The proposed amendment to N.J.A.C. 13:42-5.4 limits the Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) avenue to licensure to those who obtained the CPQ prior to June 30, 2006. Applicants who obtain the CPQ after that date will now have to obtain licensure through a different avenue, which could possibly impose costs on them. The Board does not believe that the proposed amendments or new rule will have any other economic impact.

Federal Standards Statement

A Federal standards analysis is not required because there are no Federal laws or standards applicable to the proposed new rule or amendments.

Jobs Impact

The Board does not believe that the proposed amendments or new rule will increase or decrease the number of jobs in New Jersey .

Agriculture Industry Impact

The Board believes that the proposed new rule and amendments will have no impact upon the agriculture industry in New Jersey .

Regulatory Flexibility Statement

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the Act), N.J.S.A. 52:14B-16 et seq., requires the Board to give a description of the types and an estimate of the number of small businesses to which the notice of proposal will apply. A regulatory flexibility analysis is not required because the notice of proposal only applies to applicants for licensure who cannot be considered "small businesses" because they do not yet have a license to practice psychology.

Smart Growth Impact

The Board does not believe that the proposed new rules and amendment will have any impact upon the achievement of smart growth or upon the implementation of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.

Housing Affordability Impact

The proposed new rules and amendments will have an insignificant impact on affordable housing in New Jersey and there is an extreme unlikelihood that the regulation would evoke a change in the average costs associated with housing because the proposed rules concern licensing requirements for psychologists.

Smart Growth Development Impact

The proposed new rules and amendments will have an insignificant impact on smart growth and there is an extreme unlikelihood that the regulation would evoke a change in housing production in Planning Areas 1 or 2 or within designated centers under the State Development and Redevelopment Plan in New Jersey because the proposed rules concern licensing requirements for psychologists.

Full text of the proposal follows (additions indicated in boldface thus ; deletions indicated in brackets [thus]):

[page=4183] SUBCHAPTER 2. INITIAL QUALIFICATIONS

13:42-2.4 Degrees earned outside the United States

(a) An applicant for licensure trained in an educational institution outside the United States shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she possesses a doctorate degree in psychology that is equivalent to a degree earned from a regionally accredited university in the United States .

(b) Individuals who apply pursuant to (a) above shall provide the Board with a comprehensive evaluation of their degree performed by World Education Services, Inc. (WES) or a foreign credential evaluation service that is member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and acceptable to the Board, and any other documentation the Board deems necessary.

SUBCHAPTER 5. EXAMINATION

13:42-5.4 License without examination

(a) (No change.)

(b) A psychologist who [holds] obtained the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) in psychology prior to June 30, 2006, and who meets all other requirements of New Jersey law, shall be licensed following satisfactory completion of an oral interview with the Board or designated member(s) thereof.

SUBCHAPTER 6. BOARD FEES

13:42-6.1 Board Fees

(a) Charges for examinations, licensure and other services are:

1. (No change.)

2. Examination fee: [$ 350.00 written,] $ 300.00 oral.

3.-4. (No change.)

5. Late renewal fee in addition to biennial renewal:

i. (No change.)

[ii. Over 30 days late: $ 150.00.]

6.-10. (No change.)

(b) It is the candidate's responsibility to see that all mandated fees reach the Board office as follows:

1. Application, examination, [re-examination] reexamination and reinstatement fees are required to initiate Board action [in] on one's behalf[.] ;

2. An initial license fee is required upon notice of successful completion of candidacy and before issuance of a license[.] ; and

3. (No change.)

[4. A late renewal fee must reach the Board office by December 31st of the renewal year in order to avoid removal from the licensee lists and a reinstatement fee prior to reinstatement.]