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SB 6144

Establishing a prescribing psychologist certification in Washington state.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Conway and 12 co-sponsors

Washington creates a prescribing psychologist credential, expanding access to psychotropic meds under medical supervision, with board certification and defined training.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care at 8:00 AM.
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Bill Summary · SB 6144

Summary of SB 6144 — Prescribing Psychologist Certification (Washington)

Overview

SB 6144 aims to create a new credentialing pathway for psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications in Washington state. The bill would amend multiple RCWs, add new sections to chapter 18.83, and establish the framework for certification, training, supervision, and scope of prescribing authority. It is currently under consideration in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care, with a public hearing scheduled (8:00 AM). The bill was introduced on January 10, 2024, and had its first reading on that date.

Purpose and Rationale

  • Addresses limited access to mental health care amid rising need (findings include: one in five adults experiences mental illness annually; many do not receive treatment; anticipated provider shortages).
  • Cites experiences in other states and federal programs that credential prescribing psychologists to safely prescribe psychotropic medications.
  • Seeks to increase access to treatment and reduce costs by establishing a formal prescribing psychologist credential.

Key Provisions

Definitions and Scope (Chapter 18.83 RCW; amended)

  • Establishes “prescribing psychologist” as a licensed psychologist who also holds an active prescribing psychologist certificate under the act.
  • Defines prescriptive authority to include prescribing, administering, discontinuing, and distributing psychotropic medications, and ordering/obtaining necessary laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures.
  • Clarifies that prescribing activities must operate within the scope of psychology and not infringe on medical practice or the authority of medicine and surgery.

Certification Requirements (New Sec. 3)

To be certified as a prescribing psychologist, an applicant must demonstrate:
1. Current licensure as a psychologist under this chapter.
2. A doctorate obtained from an integrated program of graduate study in psychology (per board-defined criteria).
3. Successful completion of a designated master’s degree program in clinical psychopharmacology that meets established criteria.
4. At least 80 hours of supervised clinical experience in physical assessment (examinations and instruction on using physical assessment tools) with supervision by a medical provider licensed to conduct independent physical assessments.
5. Completion of a clinical prescribing fellowship under qualified supervision, totaling at least 500 hours and experience with 100 individual patients. Qualified supervisors include physicians, osteopathic physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or prescribing psychologists licensed in WA or equivalent under state law.
6. Passing an examination relevant to prescribing competence, developed by a nationally recognized organization and approved by the board.

Master’s Program Requirements

  • The master’s program in clinical psychopharmacology must be accredited, regionally accredited, and substantially equivalent to training required for advanced practice psychiatric nurses, with a didactic component of at least two years and a minimum of 400 contact hours (and other standards as determined by the board or approved associations).

Certification Process and Oversight

  • The Board of Psychology would certify applicants meeting all requirements.
  • The act specifies that prescribing psychologists are subject to board approval and continuing requirements as determined by the board.

Impact and Affected Parties

  • Potentially affected professionals: licensed psychologists seeking to become prescribing psychologists.
  • Patients: broader access to psychopharmacological treatment, with care coordinated through psychology practice and medical supervision.
  • Regulatory bodies: Board of Psychology (primary certification authority) and the Department of Health, with amended RCWs guiding scope and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • First reading: January 10, 2024.
  • Public hearing: January 19, 2024, in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care (8:00 AM).
  • The bill’s progression will depend on committee action, potential amendments, and floor votes.

Notes

  • The bill reiterates that prescriptive authority exists within defined boundaries and does not replace medical practice; prescribing activities are limited to psychotropic medications identified in the relevant classifications, with appropriate medical oversight and laboratory testing where required.

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

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