Michigan law adds psychologists to the licensing board and changes limited license rules

The Michigan Board of Psychology will grow from 9 to 11 voting members. The Governor will appoint 2 limited-license psychologists, and a fully licensed psychologist will replace the next public member whose term ends. After the changes, the board will have 5 psychologists with a full license, 3 with a limited license, and 3 public members. The 4 current public members will stay until their terms end. The Governor will appoint a psychologist, not a public member, when the first public member's term expires. The changes start after the act's effective date.

People applying for a limited license will need a master's degree in psychology and 2 years of supervised postgraduate experience, in place of the 1 year in subsection (2). This covers new limited-license applicants. The experience must be at least 3,000 hours if the master's degree was granted before August 31, 2027, or at least 4,000 hours if granted on or after that date. People who are completing the 1-year experience under subsection (2) at or just before the change date need only 1 year. The experience must be in an organized health care setting or similar arrangement and supervised by a fully licensed psychologist, or by another qualified person if one is not available. These rules apply beginning 12 months after the act's effective date.

A person with a limited license under the new subsection may practice psychology without supervision, but only for tasks they are qualified for. Current limited-license holders will be treated as holders under the new subsection. This covers limited-license holders under subsection (3) and those who hold a limited license under subsection (2) when the act takes effect. A limited-license holder may not perform or claim they can perform tasks they are not qualified for by education, training, or experience.