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Bill

HB 4317

Relating to authorizing the Psychologists to promulgate a legislative rule relating to requirements for licensure as a psychologist or a school psychologist.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Smith

The bill lets psychologists issue a legislative rule to set and update licensure requirements for psychologists and school psychologists in West Virginia.

To House Judiciary
#legislature--rulemaking
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Bill Summary · HB 4317

Summary of HB 4317 (2026) – West Virginia

Purpose and intent

  • The bill authorizes psychologists to promulgate a legislative rule regarding the licensure requirements for psychologists and school psychologists. In essence, it shifts or clarifies the process by which certain licensure standards can be established or modified through a legislative-rulemaking procedure carried out by the psychology profession (rather than solely through statutory changes by the legislature).

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization for rulemaking: The bill empowers the profession of psychology to promulgate a legislative rule that sets or updates licensure requirements for:
    • Psychologists
    • School psychologists
  • Scope of rulemaking: The rule would pertain to licensure criteria, standards, and procedures necessary to obtain and maintain licensure in West Virginia, including potentially application procedures, education and supervised experience requirements, examinations, ethics, and continuing education expectations as defined by the rule.
  • Relationship to statutory framework: The rule promulgated under this authorization would operate within the statutory authority governing professional licensure in psychology, providing a mechanism for the profession to respond to evolving practice standards through regulatory updates rather than pursuing changes solely through new statutes.
  • Agency and process: Although the bill text is not fully provided, the action history indicates engagement with the Government Organization and Judiciary committees, suggesting an oversight and procedural review pathway typical for rules and regulatory matters in West Virginia.

Who is affected

  • Psychologists and school psychologists seeking licensure in West Virginia would be directly affected, as the licensure requirements and procedures could be updated via the promulgated legislative rule.
  • Licensed professionals in psychology would be subject to any new provisions regarding licensure renewal, continued competency, ethics, and related standards established by the rule.
  • Regulatory bodies and licensing boards within West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources or equivalent state professional regulation agencies involved in psychology licensure would implement and enforce the rule.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referrals: The bill was introduced on January 14, 2026, and referred to House Government Organization, then to House Judiciary.
  • Committee actions: The action history shows progression through hearing and voting stages, with a notable “Do pass, but first to Judiciary” on January 30, 2026, indicating a favorable committee recommendation contingent upon final Judiciary review.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would move through the full House for floor vote and, if approved, proceed to the Senate for consideration. As a rulemaking authorizing measure, the bill would likely be accompanied by standard legislative-review timelines for regulatory rules and may involve public comment periods or other regulatory procedures.

Additional notes

  • A co-sponsor is listed: Doug Smith.
  • The bill focuses on enhancing the ability of psychologists to establish licensure standards via legislative rulemaking, which can offer a mechanism for timely updates in response to changes in practice, education, and ethical standards while maintaining state regulatory oversight.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current WV licensure statutes to highlight what specific areas might change (e.g., education requirements, supervised practice hours, examinations, or renewal timelines) once the proposed rule text is available.

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

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