ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 1734

      Subjecting licensed psychologists to chapter 18.130 RCW, the uniform disciplinary act.

Health Care Committee                          February 17,1999

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Esser and Schual-Berke.

BACKGROUND:  The practice of psychology is licenced by the Department of Heath, and a psychologist must be licensed in order to refer to himself or herself as a psychologist.  The Examining Board of Psychology qualifies applicants for licensure and serves as the disciplining authority for unprofessional conduct under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

The requirements of the psychologist law do not apply to persons working in the following exempt settings:  a person teaching, conducting research, or consulting in a college or university; a person holding a school psychologist credential from the state Board of Education; a person employed by a local, state, or federal agency; a person working in business not engaged in the practice psychology; a bona fide psychology student; or a person qualified in sociology as a social psychologist.

It is unclear whether a licensed psychologist is subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act when working in an exempt setting.

SUMMARY:  A person who is licensed as a psychologist is subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act at all times.