CLINICAL PSYCH-CONTINUING ED
The passage of HB3019 will have a significant effect on the regulatory framework guiding the continuing education of clinical psychologists in Illinois. By formalizing the continuing education requirements, the bill seeks to raise the standard of practice among professionals, ensuring they are well-equipped to address contemporary issues surrounding ethics and diversity in mental health treatment. Moreover, the bill stipulates that the required continuing education credits do not need to be completed in person, thereby increasing accessibility for busy professionals seeking to renew their licenses.
House Bill 3019, introduced by Rep. Maurice A. West, II, amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act within Illinois. This legislation introduces a requirement for licensed clinical psychologists to complete a total of 24 hours of continuing education (CE) credits during each 2-year licensing period. Notably, the bill specifies that among these hours, a minimum of 3 hours must focus on ethics, while an additional 3 hours must pertain to diversity. The goal of these mandated educational components is to ensure that psychologists remain current on critical professional practices that impact their duties.
While HB3019 is largely viewed as a beneficial step toward enhancing professional regulation, it may face scrutiny regarding its impact on existing continuing education models and the feasibility of meeting these requirements for all licensed psychologists. The lack of in-person requirements could create concerns about the quality of training received. Advocacy for and against this legislative change may center on how to balance the need for rigorous professional development with the practicalities of fulfilling these new educational demands. As the effective date for this bill is set for October 1, 2024, there may be ongoing discussions and analyses concerning its implementation during the upcoming years.