21 NCAC 54 .2008. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE

(a)  Except as provided in this Rule, a Psychological Associate practicing psychology in North Carolina shall receive supervision for activities specified in G.S. 90-270.5(e) and 21 NCAC 54 .2006.

(b)  A Psychological Associate whose professional practice is limited to those activities other than those specified in G.S. 90-270.5(e) and 21 NCAC 54 .2006 as requiring supervision shall not be required to receive supervision.

(c)  A Psychological Associate who is a regular salaried employee of the State Department of Public Instruction or a local board of education, and whose professional activities are limited only to those for which he or she is employed by that agency, shall not be required to receive supervision.  This exemption shall not apply to individuals who contract with the Department of Public Instruction or local boards of education for the delivery of psychological services which otherwise require supervision in the schools.

(d)  A Psychological Associate who engages in the practice of psychology in a jurisdiction other than North Carolina shall not be required to receive supervision for those services rendered in another jurisdiction so long as said services are rendered in a manner consistent with the jurisdiction's legal requirements.

(e)  A written, notarized supervision contract form shall be filed within 30 days of a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the Board and within 30 days after receiving written notification from the Board that the filing of a new form is necessary to provide for the protection of the public or the regulation of the practice of psychology.  A supervision contract form shall document either that supervision is required and shall be received, or that supervision is not required.  A separate supervision contract form shall be filed for each separate work setting.  If receiving supervision from more than one supervisor to meet the minimum requirements, a separate supervision contract form shall be filed with each individual supervisor.

(f)  A supervisor shall report to the Board that agreed upon supervision has occurred and shall file a final report upon termination of supervision.  If not receiving supervision, it shall be the responsibility of the Psychological Associate to report such to the Board.  A report shall be submitted to the Board within 30 days after receiving written notification from the Board that such is due, within 2 weeks of termination of supervision, and within 2 weeks of a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the Board.

(g)  Additional supervision and reporting to the Board may be required in cases where previous evaluations or other information (e.g. reference letters, ethical complaints, etc.) suggests possible problems in the supervisee's competence or adherence to ethical standards.  Additional documentation or an interview with the Board or its designated representative(s) may be required when questions arise regarding the supervisee's practice due to information supplied or omitted on supervision contract forms and reports or when required forms are not filed with the Board.

(h)  Supervision shall be provided in individual, face-to-face, sessions which shall last no longer than 2 hours or less than 30 minutes by an individual who shall be recognized as an appropriate supervisor as defined in Rule .2001 of this Section.  A Psychological Associate shall receive a minimum of one hour per month of individual supervision in any month during which he or she engages in activities requiring supervision.  The rates of supervision specified in this Paragraph shall be provided for each separate work setting in which the Psychological Associate engages in the activities requiring supervision.  Minimum hours of supervision required for each work setting shall not be split between more than two supervisors.  The term "post-licensure" in this Paragraph shall refer to the period following issuance of  a Psychological Associate license by the North Carolina Psychology Board.   The term "supervised practice" in this Paragraph shall refer to activities requiring supervision as specified in G.S. 90-270.5(e) and 21 NCAC 54 .2006.  Except as provided in Paragraph (g) of this Rule, minimum supervision requirements shall be as follows:

(1)           Level 1.  For a Psychological Associate with less than 3 calendar years consisting of at least 4500 hours of post-licensure supervised practice, minimum supervision shall be provided as follows:

 

No. of hours per month                                      No. of hours of required

engaging in activities                                           individual supervision

that require supervision                                      per month

1 - 10                                                                      1

11 - 20                                                                   2

21 - 30                                                                   3

31 plus                                                                   4

 

(2)           Level 2.  After a minimum of 3 calendar years consisting of at least 4500 hours of post-licensure supervised practice, minimum supervision may be provided as follows:

 

No. of hours per month                                      No. of hours of required

engaging in activities                                           individual supervision

that require supervision                                      per month

1 - 20                                                                      1

21 plus                                                                   2

 

To be approved by the Board for this level of supervision, a Psychological Associate shall:

(A)          make application on an application form provided by the Board;

(B)          document that all performance ratings for the preceding 3 years and 4500 hours of post-licensure supervised practice have been average or above average;

(C)          have received at least one calendar year of supervision from the most recent supervisor; and

(D)          have the recommendation of the most recent supervisor for this level of supervision.

(3)           Level 3.  After a minimum of 5 calendar years consisting of at least 7500 hours of post-licensure supervised practice, a minimum of 1 hour per month individual supervision may be provided to a Psychological Associate who engages in activities requiring supervision.  To be approved by the Board for this level of supervision, a Psychological Associate shall:

(A)          make application on an application form provided by the Board;

(B)          document that all performance ratings for the preceding 5 years and 7500 hours of post-licensure supervised practice have been average or above average;

(C)          have received at least one calendar year of supervision from the most recent supervisor; and

(D)          have the recommendation of the most recent supervisor for this level of supervision.

(i)  The frequency and scope of supervision may, at the discretion of the supervising psychologist, be modified provided that the minimum rate of supervision as defined in Paragraph (h) of this Rule is provided.  The supervising psychologist of record may review, approve, and monitor additional individual or group supervision to be provided to the supervisee by a Licensed Psychological Associate, Licensed Psychologist holding a permanent or provisional license, or a professional from a related discipline.  Such supervision shall not substitute for the minimum requirements specified in Paragraph (h) of this Rule.

(j)  Contract and report forms shall be provided by the Board.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-270.4(c); 90-270.5(e); 90-270.9;

Eff. July 1, 1997.