MD Psych Juris key terms

The statutory scope covering observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of behavior for the purpose of diagnosing, preventing, or treating psychological problems, including assessment, psychotherapy, and consultation, when performed for compensation.

Enumerated categories of persons who may perform certain psychological functions without a Maryland license, such as students in supervised training, qualified members of other professions, and clergy or employees of exempt institutions acting within their defined roles.

Offering or performing psychological services, using the title psychologist, or holding oneself out as licensed when no valid Maryland license exists, an offense subject to Board sanctions and statutory penalties.

Statutory restriction reserving the terms "psychologist," "psychological," and similar designations to licensed persons, so that unlicensed individuals cannot use them to describe their services or qualifications.

The Maryland regulatory body that licenses psychologists, adopts regulations, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline for violations of the Psychology Act, composed of members appointed by the Governor.

The statutory membership structure of the Board, which includes licensed psychologist members and public consumer members appointed by the Governor, intended to combine professional expertise with public representation in decision-making.

The minimum number of Board members who must be present for the Board to conduct official business, vote on applications, or take disciplinary action validly.

The standard pathway to a Maryland psychology license, requiring an accredited doctoral degree, supervised experience, and passage of the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology plus any required jurisprudence component.

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, a national standardized test of foundational and applied psychological knowledge that Maryland requires applicants to pass before licensure.

A test of knowledge of the Maryland Psychology Act and Board regulations that applicants may be required to pass, confirming familiarity with state-specific legal and ethical obligations.

Postdoctoral or predoctoral practice under a qualified supervisor that applicants must complete before licensure, documented with verification of hours, supervision frequency, and the supervisor's credentials.

A written agreement between a supervisee and supervisor specifying the nature of the supervised experience, hours, frequency of supervision, evaluation methods, and the supervisor's responsibility for the supervisee's work.

The periodic process by which a licensed psychologist maintains active status, typically requiring payment of fees and documentation of continuing education, with late renewal or lapse triggering practice restrictions.

The mandated number of approved continuing education credits a psychologist must earn each renewal cycle, including any required hours in ethics, to maintain licensure in Maryland.

A license category allowing a psychologist to stop practicing while retaining a registration, usually without full continuing education obligations but barring practice until reactivation requirements are met.

The ethical and legal duty to protect information disclosed by clients in the professional relationship, releasing it only with valid authorization or as required or permitted by Maryland law.

The legal protection that prevents a psychologist from being compelled to disclose confidential client communications in judicial or administrative proceedings, subject to statutory exceptions such as client waiver.

A valid written authorization signed by the client or legally authorized representative that identifies the information to be disclosed, the recipient, the purpose, and an expiration date or event.

The practice of releasing only the information needed for the stated purpose of a disclosure, limiting unnecessary detail about a client's history, diagnosis, or treatment.

The statutory and regulatory obligation to keep clinical records for a defined period after the last service or after a minor client reaches majority, and to maintain their confidentiality and security.

A client's right under Maryland law to inspect and obtain copies of their psychological records, subject to limited exceptions where disclosure would cause serious harm.

The process of informing a client about the nature and purpose of services, risks and benefits, alternatives, fees, and limits of confidentiality before treatment begins, and documenting the client's agreement.

The legally required and ethically appropriate exceptions to confidentiality, such as risk of harm to self or others, suspected abuse, and court orders, which must be explained to clients at the outset.

The obligation, recognized in Maryland, to take reasonable steps such as warning an identifiable intended victim or notifying authorities when a client presents a serious danger of violence to others.

A shorthand for judicially and statutorily recognized duties to protect third parties from a client's serious threats, requiring assessment of dangerousness and appropriate protective action.

A minor's agreement to participate in treatment, obtained alongside parental or guardian consent, respecting the child's developing autonomy while preserving the legal guardian's authorization role.

The statutory duty of psychologists to report suspected child abuse or neglect to designated Maryland authorities, typically within a specified time, with immunity for good-faith reports.

The obligation to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable or elderly adults to the appropriate state agency, triggered by reasonable cause to believe a reportable condition exists.

The threshold for triggering a mandatory report: a belief based on facts that a reasonable professional would find sufficient, without needing proof or independent investigation of the allegation.

A situation in which a psychologist has a professional role with a person and another relationship with that person or someone closely associated with them, creating a risk of impaired objectivity or exploitation.

A departure from customary professional practice, such as limited self-disclosure or accepting a small gift, that may be harmless or may escalate into harm depending on context and client impact.

The statutory and ethical ban on sexual intimacy or sexual contact with current clients, their close relatives, and former clients within a defined period, subject to license revocation or other discipline.

The ethical requirement to practice only within the boundaries of one's education, training, supervised experience, and continuing professional development, and to obtain consultation or refer when limits are reached.

A condition in which a psychologist's physical, mental, or emotional functioning compromises professional judgment or performance, triggering duties to limit practice and seek assistance.

Sanctions the Board may impose for violations, including reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, fines, and required remediation, following complaint investigation and administrative due process.

An order the Board may issue to stop unlicensed or unlawful practice, enforceable through administrative or judicial proceedings and civil penalties.

The delivery of psychological services through electronic communication technologies, governed by Maryland requirements for licensure jurisdiction, informed consent, competence, and emergency planning.

Providing psychological services to clients located in another jurisdiction, which generally requires licensure or authority in the state where the client is located, subject to limited temporary exceptions.

The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, an agreement among participating states, including Maryland, allowing eligible psychologists to practice telepsychology across member states under an authority to practice.

The ethical and legal obligation to delegate work only to persons qualified to perform it and to provide appropriate oversight, retaining responsibility for the quality of services delivered.

The requirement to state fees accurately in advance, avoid false or misleading advertising, and refrain from testimonials or claims that create unjustified expectations about outcomes.

The American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, incorporated by reference into Maryland regulations so that its standards are enforceable by the Board.