EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0911*
HOUSE BILL 911
J2 2lr2741
By: Delegate Bagnall
Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2022
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Health Occupations – Psychologists – Doctoral Degrees 2
FOR the purpose of altering the definition of “doctoral degree in psychology” to include a 3
certain postdoctoral respecialization certificate for purposes of licensure by the State 4
Board of Psychologists; and generally relating to psychologists and doctoral degrees. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Health Occupations 7
Section 18–101(c) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2021 Replacement Volume) 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – Health Occupations 13
18–101. 14
(c) (1) “Doctoral degree in psychology” means: 15
(i) A degree received from a program that at the time the degree was 16
awarded: 17
1. Is accredited by the American Psychological Association or 18
the Canadian Psychological Association; or 19
2. Is listed in the designated doctoral programs in psychology 20
published by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in 21
Psychology; [or] 22 2 HOUSE BILL 911
(II) A POSTDOCTORAL RESPECI ALIZATION CERTIFICAT E FROM 1
A PROGRAM THAT AT TH E TIME THE CERTIFICA TE WAS AWARDED WAS OFFERED 2
THROUGH A DEGREE PROGRAM THA T IS ACCREDITED BY T HE AMERICAN 3
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OR THE CANADIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION; 4
OR 5
[(ii)] (III) A doctoral degree in psychology that the Council for the 6
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology determines meets its criteria 7
for a doctoral degree in psychology, if the degree was received from a doctoral program in 8
psychology that: 9
1. Is located outside the United States and Canada; 10
2. Is currently accredited or designated in accordance with 11
item (i) of this paragraph, but was not accredited or designated at the time the degree was 12
awarded; 13
3. Was completed prior to 1981 for United States programs; 14
4. Was completed prior to 1988 for Canadian programs; or 15
5. Is no longer in existence. 16
(2) (i) A determination by the Council under paragraph [(1)(ii)] (1)(III) 17
of this subsection that a doctoral degree in psychology meets its criteria shall be considered 18
by the Board as prima facie evidence that the degree meets those criteria. 19
(ii) In determining whether the degree in psychology meets the 20
criteria described in paragraph [(1)(ii)] (1)(III) of this subsection and subparagraph (i) of 21
this paragraph, the Board may consider the completion of postdoctoral course work in 22
psychology, not to exceed 9 semester hours. 23
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 24
October 1, 2022. 25