CHAPTER 154B
PSYCHOLOGY

Referred to in §135.24, 135.61, 135L.3, 147.76, 148.13A, 216.8C, 225D.1, 228.9, 249A.15, 257.41, 514C.31, 622.10, 714H.4, 915.82, 915.86
Enforcement, §147.87, 147.92
Penalty, §147.86

  
     
154B.1  Definitions.
  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Board” means the board of behavioral health professionals created under chapter 147.
  2.  “Collaborative practice agreement” means a written agreement between a prescribing psychologist and a licensed physician that establishes clinical protocols, practice guidelines, and care plans relevant to the scope of the collaborative practice. The practice guidelines may include limitations on the prescribing of psychotropic medications by psychologists and protocols for prescribing to special populations, including patients who are less than seventeen years of age or over sixty-five years of age, patients who are pregnant, patients with serious medical conditions including but not limited to heart disease, cancer, stroke, or seizures, and patients with developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities.
  3.  “Collaborative relationship” means a cooperative working relationship between a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate and a primary care provider as defined in section 280A.1 who oversees the patient’s general medical care, including diagnosis and cooperation in the management and delivery of physical and mental health care.
  4.  “Conditional prescription certificate” means a document issued by the board to a licensed psychologist that permits the holder to prescribe psychotropic medication under the supervision of a licensed physician pursuant to this chapter.
  5.  “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, or another specialty who prescribes medications for the treatment of a mental disorder to patients in the normal course of the person’s clinical medical practice pursuant to joint rules adopted by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine.
  6.  “Practice of psychology” means the application of established principles of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relations to problems of behavior adjustment, group relations, and behavior modification, by persons trained in psychology for compensation or other personal gain. The application of principles includes but is not limited to counseling and the use of psychological remedial measures with persons, in groups or individually, with adjustment or emotional problems in the areas of work, family, school, and personal relationships; measuring and testing personality, intelligence, aptitudes, public opinion, attitudes, and skills; and the teaching of such subject matter, and the conducting of research on the problems relating to human behavior.
  7.  “Prescribing psychologist” means a licensed psychologist who holds a valid prescription certificate.
  8.  “Prescription certificate” means a document issued by the board to a licensed psychologist that permits the holder to prescribe psychotropic medication pursuant to this chapter.
  9.  “Psychotropic medication” means a medicine that shall not be dispensed or administered without a prescription and that has been explicitly approved by the federal food and drug administration for the treatment of a mental disorder, as defined by the most recent version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders published by the American psychiatric association or the most recent version of the international classification of diseases. “Psychotropic medication” does not include narcotics.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.1]
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §6; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §44; 2018 Acts, ch 1026, §54; 2023 Acts, ch 33, §1; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §495
Referred to in §148.13B, 154B.14

     
154B.2  Practice not authorized.
  This chapter shall not authorize the practice of medicine and surgery or the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery by any person not licensed pursuant to chapter 148.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.2]
2008 Acts, ch 1088, §108

     
154B.3  Persons not required to qualify.
  The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following persons:
  1.  School psychologists certified by the department of education practicing and functioning within the scope of their employment in either a public or private school or performing as certified school psychologists at any time in either private practice or the public sector, provided they use the title “certified school psychologist”.
  2.  An employee of an accredited academic institution while performing the employee’s teaching, training, and research duties.
  3.  An employee of a federal, state, county or local governmental institution or agency or nonprofit institution or agency, or a research facility, while performing duties of the office or position with such institution, agency, or facility.
  4.  A student of psychology, psychological intern or person preparing for the practice of psychology in a training institution or facility approved by the board, provided the person is designated by the title “psychological trainee” or any similar title, clearly indicating training status.
  5.  A practicing psychologist for a period not to exceed ten consecutive business days or fifteen business days in any ninety-day period, if the person’s residence and major practice are outside the state, and the person gives the board a summary of the person’s intention to practice in the state of Iowa, if the person is certified or licensed in the state in which the person resides under requirements the board considers to be equivalent of requirements for licensing under this chapter, or the person resides in a state which does not certify or license psychologists and the board considers the person’s professional qualifications to be the equivalent of requirements for licensing under this chapter.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.3]

     
154B.4  Acts prohibited.
  Commencing July 1, 1975, a person who is not licensed under this chapter shall not claim to be a licensed practicing psychologist, use a title or description, including the term “psychology” or any of its derivatives, such as “psychologist”, “psychological”, “psychotherapist” or modifiers such as “practicing” or “licensed” in a manner which implies that the person is certified under this chapter, or offer to practice or practice psychology, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter. The use by a person who is not licensed under this chapter of such terms is not prohibited by this chapter, except when such terms are used in connection with an offer to practice or the practice of psychology.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.4]

     
154B.5  Scope of chapter.
  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent qualified members of other professional groups such as physicians, osteopathic physicians, optometrists, chiropractors, members of the clergy, authorized Christian Science practitioners, attorneys at law, social workers, or guidance counselors from performing functions of a psychological nature consistent with the accepted standards of their respective professions, if they do not use any title or description stating or implying that they are psychologists or are certified to practice psychology.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.5]
2009 Acts, ch 133, §59

  
     
154B.6  Requirements for licensure — provisional license.
  1.  Except as provided in this section, an applicant for licensure as a psychologist shall meet the following requirements in addition to those specified in chapter 147:
  a.  Except as provided in this section, after July 1, 1985, a new applicant for licensure as a psychologist shall possess a doctoral degree in psychology from an institution approved by the board and shall have completed at least one year of supervised professional experience under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
  b.  Have passed an examination administered by the board to assure the applicant’s professional competence. The examination of any of its divisions may be given by the board at any time after the applicant has met the degree requirements of this section.
  c.  Have not failed the examination required in paragraph “b” within sixty days preceding the date of the subsequent examination.
  2.  The examinations required in this section may, at the discretion of the board, be waived for holders by examination of licenses or certificates from states whose requirements are substantially equivalent to those of this chapter, and for holders by examination of specialty diplomas from the American board of professional psychology.
  3.  A person who possesses a doctoral degree in psychology from an institution approved by the board but who has not completed the other requirements for licensure under this section may apply for a provisional license. The license shall be designated as a “provisional license in psychology”. The provisional license shall authorize the licensee to practice psychology under the supervision of a supervisor who meets the qualifications determined by the board by rule. A provisional license shall be valid for a period of two years. The fee for a provisional license shall be set by the board to cover the administrative costs of issuance. The board shall also set a fee for renewal of a provisional license.
  4.  A person who is enrolled in a doctoral degree program in psychology at an institution approved by the board but who has not completed the other requirements for licensure under this section may apply for a provisional license during the person’s internship program. The license shall be designated as a “provisional license in psychology”. The provisional license shall authorize the licensee to practice psychology under the supervision of a supervisor who meets the qualifications determined by the board by rule. A provisional license shall be valid for a period of two years. The fee for a provisional license shall be set by the board to cover the administrative costs of issuance. The board shall also set a fee for renewal of a provisional license.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.6]
84 Acts, ch 1122, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1184, §96; 2007 Acts, ch 22, §40; 2014 Acts, ch 1043, §1; 2022 Acts, ch 1111, §1
Referred to in §249A.15, 514C.33

  
     
154B.7  Health service provider in psychology.
  A certified health service provider in psychology means a person licensed to practice psychology who has a doctoral degree in psychology, or prior to July 1, 1984, was licensed at the doctoral level with a degree in psychology or its equivalent, or was prior to January 1, 1984, licensed as a psychologist in this state and prior to January 1, 1985, receives a doctoral degree equivalent to a doctoral degree in psychology, and who has at least two years of clinical experience in a recognized health service setting or meets the standards of a national register of health service providers in psychology. A person certified as a health service provider in psychology shall be deemed qualified to diagnose or evaluate mental illness and nervous disorders, and to treat mental illnesses and nervous disorders, excluding those mental illnesses and nervous disorders which are established as primarily of biological etiology with the exception of the treatment of the psychological and behavioral aspects of those mental illnesses and nervous disorders.
84 Acts, ch 1122, §2
Referred to in §135B.7

     
154B.8  Voluntary surrender of license.
  The director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing may accept the voluntary surrender of license if accompanied by a written statement of intention. The voluntary surrender, when accepted, shall have the same force and effect as an order of revocation.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §154B.7]
2023 Acts, ch 19, §1628

     
154B.9  Drugs — medicine.
  1.  Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3, a psychologist shall not administer or prescribe drugs or medicine.
  2.  A licensed psychologist holding a conditional prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic medication under the supervision of a licensed physician pursuant to this chapter.
  3.  A prescribing psychologist may prescribe psychotropic medication pursuant to joint rules adopted by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine and the provisions of this chapter.
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §7; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §496

  
     
154B.10  Conditional prescription certificate.
  1.  An applicant for a conditional prescription certificate shall be granted a certificate by the board if the applicant satisfies all of the following requirements: 
  a.  Holds a current license to practice psychology in this state.
  b.  Completed pharmacological training from an institution approved by the board of psychology and the board of medicine or from a provider of continuing education approved by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine pursuant to joint rules adopted by both boards.
  c.  Passed a national certification examination approved by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine that tested the applicant’s knowledge of pharmacology in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of mental disorders.
  d.  Successfully completed a postdoctoral master of science degree in clinical psychopharmacology approved by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine pursuant to joint rules adopted by both boards. The program shall at a minimum include coursework in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, physiology, and appropriate and relevant physical and laboratory assessments.
  e.  Has been certified by the applicant’s supervising physician as having successfully completed a supervised and relevant clinical experience in clinical assessment and pathophysiology and an additional supervised practicum treating patients with mental disorders. The practica shall have been supervised by a trained physician. The board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine, pursuant to joint rules adopted by the boards, shall determine sufficient practica to competently train the applicant in the treatment of a diverse patient population.
  f.  Possesses malpractice insurance that will cover the applicant during the period the conditional prescription certificate is in effect.
  g.  Meets all other requirements, as determined by joint rules adopted by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine, for obtaining a conditional prescription certificate.
  2.  A conditional prescription certificate is valid for four years, at the end of which the holder may apply again pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1. 
  3.  A psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic medication under the supervision of a licensed physician subject to all of the following conditions:
  a.  The psychologist shall continue to hold a current license to practice psychology in this state and continue to maintain malpractice insurance.
  b.  The psychologist shall inform the board of the name of the physician under whose supervision the psychologist will prescribe psychotropic medication and promptly inform the board of any change of the supervising physician.
  c.  A physician supervising a psychologist prescribing psychotropic medication pursuant to a conditional prescription certificate shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to section 148.13A for the acts and omissions of the psychologist while under the physician’s supervision. This provision does not relieve the psychologist from liability for the psychologist’s acts and omissions.
  d.  Any other rules adopted jointly by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine.
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §8; 2023 Acts, ch 33, §2; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §497, 498
Referred to in §148.13B, 154B.14

  
     
154B.11  Prescription certificate.
  1.  An applicant for a prescription certificate shall be granted a certificate by the board if the applicant satisfies all of the following requirements:
  a.  Possesses a conditional prescription certificate and has successfully completed two years of prescribing psychotropic medication as certified by the supervising licensed physician. An applicant for a prescription certificate who specializes in the psychological care of children, elderly persons, or persons with comorbid psychological conditions shall complete at least one year prescribing psychotropic medications to such populations as certified by the supervising licensed physician.
  b.  Holds a current license to practice psychology in this state.
  c.  Possesses malpractice insurance that will cover the applicant as a prescribing psychologist.
  d.  Meets all other requirements, as determined by rules adopted by the board, for obtaining a prescription certificate, including joint rules adopted by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine.
  2.  A psychologist with a prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic medication pursuant to the provisions of this chapter subject to the following conditions:
  a.  The psychologist continues to hold a current license to practice psychology in this state and maintains malpractice insurance.
  b.  The psychologist annually satisfies the continuing education requirements for prescribing psychologists, as determined by the board, which shall be no fewer than twenty hours each year.
  c.  The psychologist has entered into a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician.
  d.  Any other rules adopted jointly by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine.
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §9; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §499, 500
Referred to in §148.13B, 154B.14

     
154B.12  Prescribing practices.
  1.  A prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate may administer and prescribe psychotropic medication within the scope of the psychologist’s profession, including the ordering and review of laboratory tests in conjunction with the prescription, for the treatment of mental disorders. Such prescribing practices shall be governed by joint rules adopted by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine.
  2.  When prescribing psychotropic medication for a patient, the prescribing psychologist or the psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall maintain an ongoing collaborative relationship with the primary care provider as defined in section 280A.1 who oversees the patient’s general medical care to ensure that necessary medical examinations are conducted, the psychotropic medication is appropriate for the patient’s medical condition, and significant changes in the patient’s medical or psychological condition are discussed. 
  3.  A prescription written by a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall meet all of the following requirements:
  a.  Comply with applicable state and federal laws.
  b.  Be identified as issued by the psychologist as “psychologist certified to prescribe”.
  c.  Include the psychologist’s board-assigned identification number.
  4.  A prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall not delegate prescriptive authority to any other person. Records of all prescriptions shall be maintained in patient records.
  5.  When authorized to prescribe controlled substances, a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall file with the board in a timely manner all individual federal drug enforcement agency registration and numbers. The board shall maintain current records on every psychologist, including federal registration and numbers. 
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §10; 2023 Acts, ch 33, §3; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §501

     
154B.13  Board duties regarding prescription certificates and conditional prescription certificates.
  1.  The board shall, in consultation with the board of medicine, adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter relating to prescribing psychologists. The rules shall include but not be limited to all of the following:
  a.  Procedures to obtain a conditional prescription certificate, a prescription certificate, and a renewal of a prescription certificate. The board may set reasonable application and renewal fees.
  b.  Grounds for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a conditional prescription certificate and a prescription certificate, including a provision for suspension or revocation of a license to practice psychology upon suspension of a conditional prescription certificate and a prescription certificate.
  c.  The provision of an annual list of psychologists with prescription certificates and psychologists with conditional prescription certificates that contains the information agreed to between the board and the board of medicine. The board shall promptly notify the board of medicine of psychologists who are added to or removed from the list.
  d.  Any other rules necessary for the administration of this chapter.
  2.  The board shall appoint a prescribing psychologist rules subcommittee comprised of a psychologist appointed by the board, a physician appointed by the board of medicine, and a member of the public appointed by the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing to develop rules for consideration by the board pursuant to this section.
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §11; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1629

  
     
154B.14  Requirements for prescription certificates — joint rules.
  1.  The board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine shall adopt joint rules in regard to the following: 
  a.  Education and training requirements pursuant to sections 154B.10 and 154B.11.
  b.  Specific minimum standards for the terms, conditions, and framework governing the collaborative practice agreement and for governing the limitations on the prescriptions eligible to be prescribed and populations eligible to be prescribed to as specified in section 154B.1, subsection 2.
  2.  The board of behavioral health professionals shall consult with the university of Iowa Carver college of medicine and clinical and counseling psychology doctoral programs at regents institutions in the development of the rules pertaining to education and training requirements in sections 154B.10 and 154B.11.
  3.  The joint rules, and any amendments thereto, adopted by the board of behavioral health professionals and the board of medicine pursuant to this section and section 148.13B shall only be adopted by agreement of both boards through a joint rule-making process.
2016 Acts, ch 1112, §12; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §502, 503
Referred to in §148.13B