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Bill Summary · HB 657

Summary of HB 657 (2026 Session, Kentucky)

What the bill does (Purpose and Intent)

HB 657 establishes mandatory national and state criminal background checks for certain professional licensing actions across multiple Kentucky licensing boards. The core aim is to ensure that individuals seeking initial licenses, license reinstatements, or cross-border practice privileges (via various “compact” agreements) undergo comprehensive background screening before being allowed to engage in regulated professions, including psychology, occupational therapy, audiology/speech-language pathology, social work, counseling, and related fields when seeking to practice outside Kentucky under established compacts.

Key provisions and changes

  • Each of the following boards must require a national and state criminal background check for specified applicants or credential holders:

    • Section 1 (KRS Chapter 319): Psychology licensing
    • Applies to initial license applicants, license reinstatements, and Kentucky credential holders seeking authorization to practice psychology outside Kentucky under the IPC (Interstate Practice Compact).
    • Section 2 (KRS Chapter 319A): Occupational therapy licensing
    • Applies to initial license applicants, license reinstatements, and licensees seeking authorization to practice occupational therapy outside Kentucky under the occupational therapy licensure compact.
    • Section 3 (KRS Chapter 334A): Audiology and speech-language pathology licensing
    • Applies to initial license applicants, license reinstatements, and licensees seeking authorization to practice audiology or speech-language pathology outside Kentucky under the audiology/speech-language pathology interstate compact.
    • Section 4 (KRS Chapter 335): Social work licensing
    • Applies to initial license applicants, license reinstatements, and credential holders seeking authorization to practice social work outside Kentucky under the social work licensure compact.
    • Section 5 (KRS Chapter 335.500 to 335.599): Professional counseling licensing
    • Applies to initial license applicants, license reinstatements, and credential holders seeking authorization to practice professional counseling outside Kentucky under the counseling compact.

  • Background checks

    • Method: Fingerprint-based checks conducted by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including both state and national checks.
    • Process:
    • Applicants/credential holders must provide a complete set of fingerprints to KSP for submission to the FBI after a state check.
    • Results from both state and national background checks are forwarded to the respective board for screening.
    • Board communications:
      • Results are not publicly released by default.
      • Applicants/credential holders may request their results.
      • The board may introduce results under seal as evidence in disciplinary proceedings.
    • Fees: Any fees charged by KSP or FBI must not exceed the actual cost of processing and conducting the background check.

  • Use of background check results

    • The board will review results to determine eligibility to apply for the compact privilege to practice outside Kentucky.
    • The board may require background checks for licensees who are subjects of grievances or complaints alleging misconduct or prohibited conduct, depending on the section (see provisions per board).

  • Renewal

    • In general, the bill specifies that, unless required by law, the board shall not require a background check solely for license renewal.

  • Regulation and implementation

    • Each section requires the respective board to promulgate administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A to implement these provisions.

Who is affected

  • Applicants seeking initial licenses in the covered professions (psychology, occupational therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, social work, and professional counseling) for Kentucky-based licensure.
  • Individuals seeking to reinstate licenses in these fields.
  • Credential holders who intend to practice outside Kentucky under their professional compact (IPC or other interstate compacts).
  • Licensees who are the subject of grievances or complaints alleging misconduct or prohibited conduct, which may trigger additional background checks.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill creates new statutory sections in multiple chapters (319, 319A, 334A, 335, 335.500-335.599).
  • Implementation relies on the boards promulgating administrative regulations to operationalize the background checks (likely including timelines for submission of fingerprints, processing, and review).
  • The action history indicates the bill was enacted and signed into law as Acts Chapter 6 (2026) on March 27, 2026, following passage in both chambers in March 2026.

Summary note

HB 657 broadens background checks for several Kentucky boards to include national and state fingerprint-based investigations for initial licensure, reinstatement, and cross-border practice authorization under various professional compacts. It emphasizes controlled disclosure of results, caps fees to actual processing costs, and requires regulatory implementation to put these checks into effect. Renewal processes are mostly exempt unless required by law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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