§2356.4. Licensed psychological associate; licensure

            A.(1) The board shall issue a license as a licensed psychological associate to any person who files an application upon a form and in such a manner as the board prescribes, accompanied by the fee required by this Chapter, and who furnishes evidence to the board that, except as otherwise required by law, the person meets all of the following criteria:

            (a) Is at least twenty-one years of age.

            (b) Is of good moral character.

            (c) Has completed a master's degree in health service psychology from a psychology program approved by the board.

            (d) Has completed supervised practice, as defined by the board, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or medical psychologist licensed in accordance with R.S. 37:1360.51 et seq., with the post-graduate supervision occurring over a period of no less than two years and not more than six years from the original date that the supervision was initiated.

            (e) Has passed validated assessments and examinations approved by the board.

            (f) Has demonstrated professional knowledge of laws, rules, and standards regarding the practice of psychology in this state.

            (2) If the board reasonably believes that a person applying for a license or for a renewal of a license is not physically and mentally competent to render psychological services with reasonable skill and safety to his patients, or is afflicted with a disease or condition, either physical or mental, that would impair his competency to render psychological services, the board may request that the person submit to a physical examination by a medical doctor approved by the board or a mental health examination by a psychologist, a medical psychologist, or psychiatrist approved by the board. If the person refuses to submit to the examination, the board, after contradictory hearing and upon finding reasonable cause, may issue an order requiring the person to submit to the physical or mental health examination. A person who is ordered to submit to a physical or mental health examination shall not be eligible for licensure or renewal of license prior to such examination. Proceedings pursuant to this Paragraph shall be conducted in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

            B. A licensed psychological associate may practice independently.

            C. The practice of a licensed psychological associate includes rendering psychological services to individuals, groups, or families including diagnosis for the purpose of offering mental health counseling and psychotherapy services for treatment and prevention of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders.

            D. A licensed psychological associate shall only practice within boundaries of his established competence and shall be able to demonstrate such competence as required by the board.

            E.(1) A licensed psychological associate may perform independent administration and scoring of single dimensional symptom scales and check lists.

            (2) A licensed psychological associate shall not perform any of the following:

            (a) The independent administration, scoring, or interpretation of:

            (i) Psychological tests.

            (ii) Personality.

            (iii) Psychopathology.

            (iv) Intellectual functioning.

            (v) Academic achievement.

            (vi) Neuropsychological functioning.

            (vii) Forensic assessments.

            (b) Diagnoses of severe mental illness, major disorders, or mental disorders as defined by the board.

            (c) Treatments, tests, or practices prohibited by the board.

            F. A licensed psychological associate shall maintain malpractice insurance.

            Acts 2024, No. 286, §1.