Licensure, Supervision, and Scope of Practice
Licensure, supervision, and scope of practice
This domain tests the pathway to licensure, the rules for supervising trainees, and the boundaries of psychological practice in Ohio.
Licensure pathway
- Doctoral degree in psychology from a program approved by the Board (usually APA-accredited).
- Completion of an internship and supervised professional experience required by Board rule; Ohio generally requires two years of supervised experience, with postdoctoral hours included.
- Passage of the EPPP and the Ohio jurisprudence examination.
- Licensure by endorsement is possible for applicants with a comparable license and qualifying experience, but it is not automatic.
- Licenses renew biennially with continuing education; practicing on a lapsed license is prohibited.
Supervision
- Supervisors must hold a current Ohio license and be approved by the Board; a written supervision agreement is required.
- The supervisee must disclose trainee status to clients and may not practice independently.
- The supervisor is professionally responsible for the supervisee’s services and must provide adequate direct oversight, not merely occasional sign-offs.
- Supervision must be documented, including hours, dates, and content.
Scope of practice
- Licensed psychologists may assess, diagnose, and treat mental and behavioral disorders, and may consult, teach, and conduct research.
- Ohio psychologists do not have prescriptive authority; medication questions require collaboration with a prescriber.
- School psychologists practice within the scope defined by their training and licensure; they may not hold themselves out as general psychologists unless licensed as such.
Worked example
A newly licensed psychologist agrees to supervise a postdoctoral trainee. The trainee sees clients weekly, and the supervisor meets with the trainee once a month by phone. This arrangement is deficient: Board rules require a written supervision agreement, client disclosure of trainee status, and sufficient direct supervision. Monthly phone contact is unlikely to satisfy the required oversight. The supervisor should establish a compliant supervision plan, document it, and ensure the trainee does not practice independently.
Traps that cost marks
- Assuming an out-of-state license transfers automatically.
- Supervising without Board approval or a written agreement.
- Letting a trainee see clients without disclosing trainee status.
- Advising on medication as though Ohio psychologists have prescriptive authority.