A.B. 196
- *AB196*
ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 196–ASSEMBLYMEMBER BACKUS
PREFILED FEBRUARY 3, 2025
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Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
SUMMARY—Revises provisions governing psychology.
(BDR 54-164)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State: No.
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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to psychology; authorizing the Board of
Psychological Examiners to adopt regulations authorizing
a person who is not licensed by the Board to perform
certain psychological tests under certain conditions and
use the title “psychometrist” in connection with the
performance of such tests; prohibiting a complaint from
being filed with the Board if 3 or more years have elapsed
since the occurrence of the act or omission giving rise to
the complaint; repealing provisions requiring certain
business entities to register with the Board; and providing
other matters properly relating thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of psychologists and the 1
registration and regulation of psychological assistants, psychological interns and 2
psychological trainees by the Board of Psychological Examiners. (Chapter 641 of 3
NRS) 4
Existing law authorizes the Board to adopt various regulations, including, 5
without limitation, regulations governing the practice of psychology. (NRS 6
641.100) Existing regulations authorize a licensed psychologist to authorize 7
personnel who are not licensed by the Board to perform certain psychological 8
testing under the direct supervision and periodic observation of the licensed 9
psychologist. (NAC 641.168) Existing law prohibits a person from representing 10
himself or herself as a psychologist or using any title or description which 11
incorporates certain words, including, without limitation, the word “psychometrist,” 12
unless the person is licensed by the Board. (NRS 641.440) 13
Section 1 of this bill specifically authorizes the Board to adopt regulations 14
authorizing a licensed psychologist to authorize an unlicensed person to perform 15
certain psychological tests prescribed by the Board under the direct supervision and 16
periodic observation of the licensed psychologist. Section 1 additionally authorizes 17
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the Board to adopt regulations authorizing a person who performs such tests to use 18
the title of “psychometrist” in connection with the performance of such tests. 19
Section 3 of this bill provides an exception from the provisions prohibiting the use 20
of a title that incorporates the word “psychometrist” by a person not licensed by the 21
Board for a person using such a title as authorized by the regulations adopted by the 22
Board pursuant to section 1. 23
Existing law sets forth certain grounds for initiating disciplinary action against 24
a psychologist, psychological assistant, psychological intern or psychological 25
trainee. (NRS 641.230) Existing law requires certain persons, and authorizes other 26
persons, to file a written complaint with the Board if the person becomes aware that 27
any one or combination of the grounds for initiating disciplinary action may exist as 28
to a licensee or registrant. (NRS 641.250) Section 2 of this bill prohibits a 29
complaint from being filed if 3 or more years have elapsed since the occurrence of 30
the act or omission alleged as the grounds for initiating disciplinary action. 31
Section 4 of this bill repeals provisions requiring a firm, partnership or 32
corporation which engages in or offers to engage in the practice of psychology to 33
register with the Board. 34
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 641 of NRS is hereby amended by adding 1
thereto a new section to read as follows: 2
The Board may adopt regulations authorizing: 3
1. A licensed psychologist to allow a person who is not 4
licensed pursuant to this chapter to perform certain psychological 5
tests prescribed by the Board under the direct supervision and 6
periodic observation of the licensed psychologist; and 7
2. A person who performs psychological tests as described in 8
subsection 1 to use the title of “psychometrist” in connection with 9
the performance of such tests. 10
Sec. 2. NRS 641.250 is hereby amended to read as follows: 11
641.250 1. [The] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 12
2, the Board or any of its members, any review panel of a hospital 13
or an association of psychologists which becomes aware that any 14
one or combination of the grounds for initiating disciplinary action 15
may exist as to a person practicing psychology or practicing as a 16
psychological assistant, psychological intern or psychological 17
trainee in this State shall, and any other person who is so aware 18
may, file a written complaint specifying the relevant facts with the 19
Board. 20
2. A complaint must not be filed pursuant to subsection 1 if 3 21
or more years have elapsed since the occurrence of the act or 22
omission alleged as the grounds for initiating disciplinary action. 23
3. The Board shall retain all complaints filed with the Board 24
pursuant to this section for at least 10 years, including, without 25
limitation, any complaints not acted upon. 26
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Sec. 3. NRS 641.440 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1
641.440 Any person who: 2
1. Presents as his or her own the diploma, license, registration 3
or credentials of another; 4
2. Gives either false or forged evidence of any kind to the 5
Board or any member thereof, in connection with an application for 6
a license or registration; 7
3. Practices psychology or practices as a psychological 8
assistant, psychological intern or psychological trainee under a false 9
or assumed name or falsely personates another psychologist, 10
psychological assistant, psychological intern or psychological 11
trainee of a like or different name; 12
4. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 641.0295, 641.390 13
and 641A.410 [,] and the regulations adopted pursuant to section 1 14
of this act, represents himself or herself as a psychologist, or uses 15
any title or description which incorporates the word “psychology,” 16
“psychological,” “psychologist,” “psychometry,” “psychometrics,” 17
“psychometrist” or any other term indicating or implying that he or 18
she is a psychologist, unless he or she has been issued a license; 19
5. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 641.390, represents 20
himself or herself as a psychological assistant, psychological intern 21
or psychological trainee, or uses any title or description which 22
incorporates the words “psychological assistant,” “psychological 23
intern” or “psychological trainee” or any other term indicating or 24
implying that he or she is a psychological assistant, psychological 25
intern or psychological trainee, unless he or she has been issued a 26
registration; 27
6. Practices psychology unless he or she has been issued a 28
license; or 29
7. Practices as a psychological assistant, psychological intern 30
or psychological trainee unless he or she has been issued a 31
registration, 32
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. 33
Sec. 4. NRS 641.2265 is hereby repealed. 34
TEXT OF REPEALED SECTION
641.2265 Requirement; regulations; penalty.
1. A firm, partnership or corporation which engages in or
offers to engage in the practice of psychology shall register with the
Board.
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2. The Board shall adopt regulations which prescribe the
requirements for such registration.
3. Any firm, partnership or corporation which violates the
provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
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