Board of Psychology
COVID-19 Information

Accelerated Temporary License

Updated June 11, 2020

Pursuant to Governor Northam’s Amended Executive Order 57 (effective June 10, 2020) - A clinical psychologist with an active license issued by another state may be issued a temporary license by endorsement as a health care practitioner of the same type for which such license is issued in another state upon submission of an application and information requested by the applicable licensing board and the board’s verification that the applicant’s license issued by another state is active in good standing and there are no current reports in the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank. Such temporary license shall expire September 8, 2020. During such time the practitioner may seek a full Virginia license or transition patients to Virginia-licensed practitioners.

Health care practitioners with an active license issued by another state may provide continuity of care to their current patients who are Virginia residents through telehealth services. However, if they want to acquire new patients, they must apply for full licensure in Virginia or an Accelerated Temporary License as indicated above.


HIPAA Information

March 19, 2020

The Office for Civil Rights (OVR) at the Department of Health and Human Services has relaxed its rules involving HIPAA for the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 National Emergency. Please read the notice at this link.

Because this is a federal announcement, we are not in a position to answer questions or offer clarification on this issue.


Exam Information

March 18, 2020

Please directly check with your testing vendors regarding site closures, cancellations, refunds, and rescheduling.


COVID-19 Information from the Board of Psychology

March 17, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board has received many questions from anxious Licensees. We are sharing the answers we have at this time, and promise to continue to send out emails and simultaneously update our website as we learn more. At this point we have received the most questions regarding telehealth and Continuing Education (CE) requirements for renewal.

In response to telehealth, any licensee can practice telehealth within Virginia. You will need to contact another state to determine their rules and whether that state would allow for you to practice into that state without a license from that state, as we cannot offer guidance on another state's laws and regulations. Please see the Guidance Document 125-7 at the link provided for more information. https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Psychology/psychology_guidelines.htm

As to those concerned about completing the CE requirements for renewal, the Board will grant a one-year extension to all licensees. As a result, unless you are newly licensed and not required to complete continuing education requirements this year, each licensee will have until June 30, 2021 to complete the required CEs. Please note that you are still required to renew your license on June 30, 2020. Also, please note, that this extension does not apply to those individuals who must complete CEs as part of a Board order. If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact your Compliance Manager.

Additionally, as the news of COVID-19 evolves, we are all seeing rapid changes in the measures being put in place to protect public safety. Pearson has made the determination to close the US and Canadian Test Centers until April 16th. This situation will be monitored and if the window for temporary closings is  extended, candidates will be notified.  Updates on the Pearson site can be found here:

https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update

The Board may be short staffed at times as many will be required to telework, so the best way to reach the Board with questions is to send an email. Email addresses are listed on the Board website. Thank you for your patience and please stay healthy.

 


Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates

Published on Feb 28, 2020

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness, called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. VDH has information on the Coronavirus Disease for both healthcare professionals and the general public which is updated regularly, as new information becomes available. Read more here.