Psychological Testing Technicians - Psychologists - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 2999.100

This law defines a "psychological testing technician" as someone who is not permitted to independently conduct psychological tests but can still perform certain tasks under supervision. These tasks include administering standardized tests, scoring them, and noting client behaviors and responses during tests. However, they cannot choose which tests to give, interpret results, write reports, or give feedback. They must exclusively use the titles outlined without implying they are qualified psychologists. Not following these rules can lead to discipline.

(a) “Psychological testing technician” means an individual not otherwise authorized to provide psychological and neuropsychological testing under this chapter who is registered with the board and is authorized to perform the following functions:

(1) Administer and score standardized objective psychological and neuropsychological tests.

(2) Observe and describe clients’ test behavior and test responses.

(b) A psychological testing technician shall not perform the following functions:

(1) Select tests or versions of tests.

(2) Interpret test results.

(3) Write test reports.

(4) Provide test feedback to clients.

(c) A psychological testing technician shall only use the titles “psychological testing technician” or “neuropsychological testing technician.” A psychological testing technician shall not use the title “psychologist” or any title incorporating the word “psychologist.”

(d) Failure to comply with this section shall be grounds for disciplinary action.

psychological testing technician neuropsychological testing standardized tests

Section § 2999.101

If you want to become a registered psychological testing technician in California, you need to apply to the board and provide some important information. This includes your personal details, your supervisor's details, proof of your educational background in psychology or educational psychology, and evidence of at least 80 hours of specific training experience. You'll also need to pay a registration fee and submit electronic fingerprints for background checks.

To register as a psychological testing technician, a person shall submit the following to the board:

(a) An application that includes the following information:

(1) The applicant’s name, identification, and contact information.

(2) The applicant’s supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(3) Attestation under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct.

(b) Proof of completion of a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree, or proof of current enrollment in a graduate degree program, from a regionally accredited university, college, or professional school, in either of the following subjects:

(1) Psychology.

(2) Education, with the field of specialization in educational psychology, counseling psychology, or school psychology.

(c)

(1) Proof of completion of a minimum of 80 hours total of education and training relating to psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring that includes the following:

(A) At least 20 hours of direct observation, including at least 10 hours of direct observation of a licensed psychologist administering and scoring tests, and at least 10 hours of direct observation of either a licensed psychologist or registered psychological testing technician administering and scoring tests.

(B) At least 40 hours of administering and scoring tests in the presence of a licensed psychologist.

(C) At least 20 hours of education on topics including law and ethics, confidentiality, and best practices for test administration and scoring.

(2) Education and training may be obtained by doing any combination of the following:

(A) Participating in individual or group instruction provided by a licensed psychologist.

(B) Engaging in independent learning directed by a licensed psychologist.

(C) Completing graduate-level coursework at a regionally accredited university, college, or professional school.

(D) Taking continuing education courses from organizations with board approval pursuant to Section 2915.

(3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a person engaged in gaining the experience required by this subdivision from administering and scoring psychological and neuropsychological tests.

(d) The registration fee for a psychological testing technician as specified in Section 2987.

(e) Electronic fingerprint image scans for a state- and federal-level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice.

psychological testing technician application requirements bachelor's degree

Section § 2999.102

This law states that all psychological testing technicians must work under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. Supervisors must work in the same location or be reachable and are responsible for ensuring that the services provided by the technician are appropriate and legal. They must also inform clients that technicians are working under their supervision. Technicians need to notify the board if their supervisor changes, providing necessary details and certifying the truth of this information. A fee is required for any supervisor changes.

(a) All psychological testing technician services shall be provided under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist.

(b) A supervisor of psychological testing technicians shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(1) Be employed by, or contracted to, the same work setting as the psychological testing technician they are supervising.

(2) Be available in-person, by telephone, or by other appropriate technology at all times the psychological testing technician provides services.

(3) Be responsible for all of the following:

(A) Ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of the services that the psychological testing technician provides are consistent with the psychological testing technician’s training and experience.

(B) Monitoring the psychological testing technician’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

(C) Informing the client prior to the rendering of services by a psychological testing technician that the technician is registered as a psychological testing technician and is functioning under the direction and supervision of the supervisor.

(c) A psychological testing technician shall notify the board of any change to their direct supervisor. To add or change a supervisor, a psychological testing technician shall submit the following:

(1) Registrant’s name, registration number, and contact information.

(2) New or additional supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(3) Current supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(4) Attestation under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct.

(5) The fee to add or change a supervisor for a psychological testing technician, as specified in Section 2987.

psychological testing technician licensed psychologist supervision

Section § 2999.103

If you're a psychological testing technician in California, you need to renew your registration every year. To do this, you have to give the board your’s and your supervisor's details, let them know about any recent convictions or disciplinary actions, and swear that the info is accurate. Also, pay a fee. If you don't renew on time, your registration expires and you'll have 60 days to renew it. If you miss that, you’ll have to start the registration process all over again.

(a) A psychological testing technician shall renew their registration annually by submitting the following to the board:

(1) The registrant’s name, registration number, and contact information.

(2) The supervisor’s name, license number, and contact information.

(3) Disclosure as to whether or not the registrant has been convicted of any violation of the law in this or any other state, the United States or its territories, military court, or other country, omitting traffic infractions under five hundred dollars ($500) not involving alcohol, a dangerous drug, or a controlled substance, since the issuance or previous renewal of their registration.

(4) Disclosure as to whether or not the registrant has had a license or registration disciplined by a governmental agency or other disciplinary body, since the issuance or previous renewal of their registration. Discipline includes, but is not limited to, suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender, probation, reprimand, or any other restriction on a license or registration held.

(5) Attestation under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct.

(6) The annual renewal fee for a psychological testing technician as specified in Section 2987.

(b) Without renewal, a psychological testing technician registration expires annually. If the registration expires, then the person who was registered:

(1) Shall not provide psychological testing technician services.

(2) Shall renew within 60 days after its expiration and pay the renewal and delinquency fees as specified in Section 2987, or the registration shall be canceled and a new application for registration shall be submitted to the board.

psychological testing technician annual renewal registration expiration

Section § 2999.104

This law means that nothing in this article should change the range of work that someone who is licensed under a different part of this division can do. It neither increases nor decreases what they're allowed to do professionally.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of a person who is licensed under any other provision of this division.

scope of practice licensed professionals professional duties

Section § 2999.105

This section of the law will officially take effect starting January 1, 2024.

This article shall become operative on January 1, 2024.

operative date January 1 2024

Section § 2999.106

If you want to become a psychological testing technician, you need to get a background check using your fingerprints. The Board of Psychology manages this process, which involves sending your fingerprint data to the Department of Justice. The DOJ will then conduct both state and national background checks and report back with the results.

(a) The Board of Psychology shall require an applicant for registration as a psychological testing technician, as defined in Section 2999.100, to undergo a fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background check, pursuant to Section 144.

(b) The board shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for individuals specified in subdivision (a) who are subject to a state and national criminal history background check, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code. The Department of Justice shall provide a state- and federal-level response pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

fingerprint-based background check psychological testing technician Board of Psychology

Psychologists

PsychologistsPsychological Testing Technicians

Section § 2999.100

Section § 2999.101

Section § 2999.102

Section § 2999.103

Section § 2999.104

Section § 2999.105

Section § 2999.106

Struggling to fill out your Divorce Forms?

COMPANY

WHAT YOU CAN DO

RESOURCES

FOLLOW US

ARTICLES