FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 102 as introduced would allow the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to provide uniformity in certain licensing requirements and practices among compact states.

Joining the compact would allow the psychologists licensed in Alabama to obtain certificates to provide telepsychology within compact states and to obtain temporary authority to practice in-person in a compact state. The compact also authorizes the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology to legally recognize psychologists licensed in compact states.

Joining the compact would also increase the financial obligations of the Board by an undetermined amount dependent on the annual assessment or fees levied by the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact on each compact state to cover the costs of its operations, activities, staff, and annual budget as authorized in the compact.

In addition, participation in the Compact would increase the administrative obligations of the Board to: (1) investigate complaints and take action against psychologists; (2) submit an identity history summary of all applicants at initial licensure no later than 10 years after activation of the compact; and (3) submit uniform data sets to the coordinated database on all licensees. However, the increased obligations could be offset, in whole or in part, by the increase in administrative penalties and licensing fees that could be imposed on psychology licensed in compact states.