Delegation of Professional Responsibilities
The Florida Board of Psychology is in the process of developing legislation to define those professional responsibilities which may or may not be delegated to individuals who are not otherwise licensed as a health care practitioner in a profession regulated under Chapter 456, F.S., or in a psychology internship, residency or practicum student capacity.

The Board sought feedback in regard to the proposed draft language from licensees, and any other interested parties, who may be impacted should these requirements be placed in law in the future. A survey was provided for public input into the process. The survey data was collected and analyzed by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance’s Strategic Planning Unit. The final report was submitted to the Board for consideration during the October 5, 2012 meeting.

Board of Psychology Extender Survey Final Report 2012

Draft Legislation
Section 456.072(1)(p), F.S., provides that the delegation of professional responsibilities to unlicensed individuals is grounds for disciplinary action.

Section 490.009(1)(s), F.S., provides that the delegation of professional responsibilities to unlicensed individuals is grounds for denial of licensure or disciplinary action.

Rule 64B19-17.002 F.A.C. provides the range of penalties that might be imposed.

Current Draft Language: 490.xxx

(1)     Definition. – As used in this section, “psychological assistant” means an individual not otherwise licensed as a health care practitioner in a profession regulated under Section 456, F.S., possessing as a minimum, a bachelors degree in psychology, education or a health related field, who receives training and supervision in various duties related to the practice of psychology by a psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 490, F.S.  A psychological assistant assists with patient care, administrative, and managerial functions, and shall adhere to the same ethical, legal, and practice standards as does a psychologist.

(2)     A psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 490, F.S., shall supervise and be responsible for all delegated acts performed by a psychological assistant under her or his supervision.

(3)     As used in this section supervision requires that the supervising psychologist shall monitor and be available whenever a psychological assistant is performing any delegated duty listed in section (6).

(4)     The supervising psychologist shall be available for emergency consultation and direction of a psychological assistant, and for patient intervention and management.

(5)     A psychologist shall not delegate diagnostic interviewing, diagnostic or forensic determinations or treatment (or psychotherapeutic) interventions to a psychological assistant, unless that psychological assistant is also a psychology practicum student, psychology intern, or psychology resident.

(6)     Before delegating duties to a psychological assistant, other than administrative and managerial functions, the supervising psychologist must first complete a diagnostic interview, or shall first review existing diagnostic records, of the service recipient in order to determine the appropriateness of such delegation.

(7)     Delegated duties include:
      (a)     gathering history and behavioral data, as long as such data does not involve clinical judgments or clinical inferences
      (b)     administering and scoring those psychometric assessments selected by a psychologist
      (c)     implementing cognitive skills training as designed or prescribed by a psychologist
      (d)     implementing behavioral programs as designed or prescribed by a psychologist
      (e)     implementing biofeedback programs or relaxation training as designed or prescribed by a psychologist.

(8)     A psychological assistant shall not hold herself or himself out to the public as a psychologist, or as independently providing psychological services.

(9)     The Board shall establish by rule as it deems necessary a training and supervision verification process for a psychological assistant, and shall establish by rule as it deems necessary additional tasks clarifying, or adding to, the delegated duties listed in section (6).

(10)   This section shall become effective on January 1, 20XX.

Learn more about the history and development of the proposed legislative language:

• Proposed Legislation re: Delegation of Professional Responsibilities Meeting Minutes
• Minutes of the Legislative Committee
• Research in regard to the laws of other states
• Comment form