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HB 5785

Health occupations: psychologists; requirements for practice by limited licensed psychologist; modify. Amends secs. 18221, 18223, 18233 & 18237 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.18221 et seq.).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 30 co-sponsors

Raises the supervised experience for a limited licensed psychologist to 2 years (3,000–4,000 hours) and tightens confidentiality protections.

PLACED ON IMMEDIATE PASSAGE
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Bill Summary · HB 5785

Summary — HB 5785 (Public Health Code amendments regarding limited licensed psychologists)

Sponsor: Rep. Felicia Brabec
Introduced: June 5, 2024 — Passed House (with immediate effect) Dec. 12, 2024
Current status: Transmitted to next chamber; referred to committees (most recent referral: Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees, 2025-01-21)

Purpose

HB 5785 revises Michigan’s licensing framework for limited licensed psychologists (master’s-level) and changes the composition of the Michigan Board of Psychology. It also narrows the scope of an existing confidentiality/compelled‑disclosure provision.

Key provisions

  • Limited license eligibility

    • Raises the supervised postgraduate experience requirement for a limited license to 2 years (with hour minimums that vary by degree date):
    • Master’s conferred before Aug. 31, 2026: 2 years totaling at least 3,000 hours.
    • Master’s conferred on or after Aug. 31, 2026: 2 years totaling at least 4,000 hours.
    • Individuals who are already performing supervised postgraduate experience immediately before the effective date may qualify under the prior 1‑year requirement.

  • Scope of practice and supervision

    • A person granted a limited license may practice without ongoing supervision and may perform acts within the practice of psychology for which they are qualified by education, training, or experience.
    • They may not advertise or represent themselves as able to perform services for which they are not qualified or are prohibited from performing.
    • Supervised postgraduate experience (for the purpose of temporary or initial licensure) must be supervised by a doctoral‑level psychologist; if none is available, supervision may be by a master’s‑level psychologist with at least 3 years’ experience or another individual approved by the Board.

  • Temporary limited license

    • The bill allows the existing two‑year temporary limited license (used to accumulate supervised postgraduate experience) to be renewed for two additional two‑year periods — permitting up to six years total to meet experience requirements.

  • Michigan Board of Psychology composition

    • Increases the board’s voting membership from 9 to 11 and shifts membership toward more licensed psychologists:
    • Resulting composition described in committee report: five doctoral‑licensed psychologists, three limited‑licensed psychologists, and three public members.
    • Replacements occur as current public members’ terms expire, per the staggered implementation in the bill.

  • Confidentiality (compelled‑disclosure)

    • Current law protects psychologists and those under their supervision from being compelled to disclose certain confidential information.
    • HB 5785 narrows this protection so it would appear to apply only to a doctoral psychologist who is supervising a holder of a temporary limited license (i.e., it would no longer broadly apply to all licensed psychologists, limited licensees, or supervisees under the general provision).

Who is affected

  • Master’s‑level applicants and current limited licensees (new experience and practice rules; current licensees become subject to the new supervisory/unsupervised practice rule when the bill takes effect).
  • Doctoral psychologists (supervision, Board appointment opportunities).
  • Michigan Board of Psychology (membership changes).
  • Patients/clients (changes to the scope of confidentiality protections).
  • Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (licensing volume/administration).

Fiscal impact

  • Indeterminate impact on LARA (effect on volume of licenses uncertain).
  • Current fees cited: $204 (initial application + two‑year license), $224 (relicensure), $143.40 (renewal).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Passed House on Dec. 12, 2024 (Roll Call #479; given immediate effect).
  • Transmitted to the Senate and referred to committees; most recent referral recorded Jan. 21, 2025 to the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees.
  • Implementation timing depends on enactment/signature and any specified effective date in the statute.

Implications to monitor

  • Potential workforce effects (longer postgraduate requirements and extended temporary license durations may alter pathways into limited practice).
  • Practical effects on patient confidentiality in clinical and legal contexts due to narrowed compelled‑disclosure protection.

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

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