AK Psych Juris cheat sheet

Licensure required: Alaska Statute 08.86.010–08.86.900 governs psychologists; license required to practice or offer to practice psychology in the state.

Board authority: Alaska Board of Psychologists (AS 08.86.020) adopts regulations, sets fees, approves supervised experience, and disciplines licensees.

Scope: psychology practice defined as rendering services involving the application of principles of human behavior for diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of psychological problems (12 AAC 60.010 et seq.).

Title use: Only licensed psychologists may use the title 'psychologist' or any derivative; unlicensed persons may not imply licensure (AS 08.86.200).

Licensure requirements: doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited program, supervised postdoctoral experience (typically 2 years), and passing EPPP and jurisprudence exam (12 AAC 60.200).

Renewal: licenses renew biennially by December 31 of odd-numbered years; continuing education requirement (e.g., 24 hours per renewal cycle, including ethics) per 12 AAC 60.300.

Reciprocity: Board may license by credentials from another jurisdiction if standards substantially equivalent (AS 08.86.130).

Discipline: Board may suspend, revoke, or reprimand for unprofessional conduct, incompetence, or violation of statutes/regulations (AS 08.86.210).

Confidentiality statute: AS 08.86.200 makes communications between psychologist and client privileged; exceptions include client waiver, court order, and mandatory reporting.

APA Ethics Code (2017) applies to all psychologists; Alaska regulations incorporate ethical standards by reference (12 AAC 60.180).

Five general principles: beneficence/nonmaleficence, fidelity/responsibility, integrity, justice, respect for people's rights and dignity.

Ten enforceable standards include: resolving ethical issues, competence, human relations, privacy/confidentiality, advertising, record keeping, education/training, research, assessment, therapy.

Multiple relationships: avoid if could impair objectivity or risk exploitation; not all multiple relationships are unethical (APA 3.05).

Informed consent required for therapy, assessment, research, and supervision (APA 3.10, 8.02, 10.01).

Boundaries of competence: provide services only within education, training, supervised experience, or appropriate professional experience (APA 2.01).

Alaska-specific: unprofessional conduct includes failure to maintain confidentiality, practicing beyond competence, and failure to report child abuse (12 AAC 60.180).

Ethical decision-making: identify dilemma, consult ethics code/law, consult colleagues, consider cultural factors, choose and document action.

Privilege belongs to the client, not the psychologist; psychologist asserts privilege on client's behalf unless waived (AS 08.86.200).

Confidentiality exceptions: client waiver, court order, mandatory reporting of child/elder abuse, imminent danger to self/others, and board investigations.

HIPAA privacy rule applies to covered entities; psychotherapy notes require separate authorization for release (45 CFR 164.508).

Alaska child abuse reporting: AS 47.17.020 requires immediate report to Office of Children's Services; psychologist-client privilege does not apply.

Records: maintain for at least 7 years after last contact or 3 years after minor reaches majority, whichever is longer (12 AAC 60.250).

Release of records: requires written client authorization except for court order, subpoena with proper notice, or emergency.

Subpoena response: do not release records solely on subpoena; verify court order or client authorization, notify client, and assert privilege if instructed (APA 6.04).

Test data: release only to qualified professionals; protect test security (APA 9.04, 9.11).

Minors: parents/guardians generally consent to treatment and access records, but Alaska law allows minors to consent to certain services (e.g., mental health after age 14? verify).

Informed consent elements: nature and purpose of services, fees, confidentiality limits, risks/benefits, alternatives, right to withdraw (APA 10.01).

Document consent: written consent preferred; obtain at outset and when treatment plan changes.

Client rights: Alaska Mental Health Consumer Rights Act (AS 47.30.730) guarantees dignity, privacy, and treatment planning participation.

Competence: practice only within boundaries; obtain consultation or refer when client needs exceed competence (APA 2.01).

Cultural competence: consider cultural background in assessment and treatment; Alaska Native cultural considerations are relevant.

Emergency: informed consent may be waived when immediate action needed to protect client or others (APA 3.10).

Minors: obtain assent and parental permission; note Alaska statutes on minor consent (e.g., AS 25.20.025 for emancipated minors).

Telehealth: verify client identity, location, and emergency resources; obtain informed consent for technology-based services (APA 3.10).

Alaska mandatory child abuse reporting: AS 47.17.020 requires immediate report to OCS; failure is a misdemeanor.

Elder abuse: AS 47.24.010 requires report of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Duty to protect: Alaska follows Tarasoff-type duty; psychologist must take reasonable steps to protect identifiable victim when client poses serious danger (e.g., warn, notify police, hospitalize).

Duty to warn/protect is not automatic; assess risk, document rationale, and take least intrusive effective action.

Subpoena vs. court order: subpoena is a request; court order is a mandate. Respond to subpoena by asserting privilege unless client waives or court orders disclosure.

When subpoenaed: notify client, seek client consent, and if not forthcoming, seek protective order or court guidance (APA 6.04).

Testimony: may testify as fact witness or expert; clarify role and avoid dual roles.

Document all risk assessments, consultations, and actions taken in duty-to-protect situations.

Supervision required for licensure: postdoctoral supervised experience per 12 AAC 60.200; supervisor must be licensed psychologist.

Supervision contract: written agreement specifying goals, methods, evaluation, and due process (APA 7.06).

Supervisor responsibilities: ensure supervisee competence, client welfare, and ethical practice; review cases and provide feedback.

Delegation: psychologist may delegate tasks to assistants/psychometrists, but retains responsibility for client care and must ensure competence (APA 2.05).

Consultation: seek consultation when facing complex or ethical dilemmas; document consultation (APA 2.01, 3.05).

Supervisee rights: informed consent to supervision, confidentiality of supervisee disclosures, and evaluation criteria (APA 7.04–7.06).

Tele-supervision: allowed if secure and meets board requirements; verify regulations (12 AAC 60.200).

Recordkeeping for supervision: maintain supervision logs and evaluations for board audit.

Advertising must be accurate, not misleading, and not create false expectations (APA 5.01).

Prohibited: testimonials from current clients, solicitation of vulnerable persons, and claims of unique skills not supported.

Fee setting: establish fees at outset, disclose changes in advance, and avoid exploitation (APA 6.04).

Bartering: permitted only if not exploitative and culturally appropriate; document agreement (APA 6.05).

Referral fees: prohibited; split fees only for services actually rendered (APA 6.07).

Insurance billing: accurately report services; avoid fraudulent claims.

Termination: plan for continuity of care; do not abandon clients (APA 10.10).

Business records: maintain financial records and billing documentation for at least 7 years.