Code of Massachusetts Regulations
251 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF PSYCHOLOGISTS
Title 251 CMR 1.00 - Ethical Standards, Professional Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures
Section 1.09 - Sanctions

Universal Citation: 251 MA Code of Regs 251.1

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Sanctions. The Board may, after a hearing in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, revoke, suspend or cancel the license, or reprimand, censure or otherwise discipline a psychologist licensed under M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 118 through 129A.

(2) Probationary Status. Probationary status may be imposed by the Board. If the Board places a licensee on probation, or if the Board and a licensee consent to the imposition of probationary status, such conditions for continued practice as the Board deems appropriate may be imposed to assure that the licensee is qualified to practice in accordance with accepted professional practice standards including any or all of the following:

(a) Submission by the licensee to such examinations as the Board may require to determine the licensee's physical or mental condition or professional qualifications;

(b) The licensee may be required to undergo such therapy and/or complete such courses of training or education as deemed necessary by the Board;

(c) Supervision of the licensee's practice as necessary to determine and monitor the quality of the professional services rendered and correct deficiencies therein; and

(d) The imposition of restrictions upon the licensee's practice to assure that practice is in accordance with the licensee's capabilities and area(s) of competency and training.

(3) Supervision of Practice. If the Board orders, or the Board and a licensee consent to the imposition of, supervision of the licensee's continued practice as a psychologist, the following conditions may apply to such supervision:

(a) A written plan outlining the focus of the supervision must be submitted to the Board. Such plan and supervision should address the areas of practice at issue and should be consistent with the principles contained in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

(b) Information (curriculum vitae and professional qualifications) regarding the proposed supervisor must be submitted to the Board for review and approval. Supervisors must be current licensees in good standing with the Board. Supervisors may not be related by blood or marriage to the licensee; have a past or present personal or professional relationship with the licensee; or have any other relationship or affiliation (past or present) with the licensee. A statement from the proposed supervisor attesting to the above must be provided to the Board.

(c) Supervision which commences prior to the receipt of the Board's written or oral approval of the proposed supervisor will not be credited.

(d) If the supervisory period is six months or longer, the approved supervisor must submit written reports to the Board on a quarterly basis describing the supervision provided and focusing on those aspects of the supervisory sessions related to the practice areas and ethical principles at issue. If the supervisory period is less than six months, bimonthly reports must be provided to the Board by the approved supervisor.

(e) At the commencement and completion of the supervisory period, the licensee and approved supervisor may be required to appear before the Board to review and discuss the supervision. All required reports must have been submitted to the Board prior to an appearance before the Board following the completion of the supervision.

(f) After the Board has received and reviewed all required reports and met with the licensee and the approved supervisor, the Board will determine the appropriateness of allowing the licensee to practice without supervision or to continue practicing under supervision.

(4) Resignation.

(a) A licensee who is named in a complaint or who is the subject of an investigation by the Board or who is the defendant in a disciplinary action may, subject to acceptance by the Board, submit his/her resignation by delivering to the Board a written statement that he/she desires to resign, his/her resignation is tendered voluntarily, he/she realizes that resignation is an act which deprives a person of all privileges of registration and is not subject to reconsideration or judicial review, and that the licensee is not currently licensed to practice in any other state or jurisdiction, will make no attempt to gain licensure elsewhere, or will resign any other licenses contemporaneous with his/her resignation in the Commonwealth.

(b) If a complaint, investigation or order to show cause arises solely out of a disciplinary action in another jurisdiction, within the meaning of 251 CMR 1.10(6)(g), the licensee may submit his/her resignation to the Board, pursuant to 251 CMR 1.09(4), but need not make any representation regarding licensure status in other jurisdictions, nor is prohibited from seeking licensure elsewhere, and need not resign any other licenses contemporaneously with the resignation.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.