An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists
Sponsored By: Rep. Francis McFaun
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Psychologists can prescribe, with strict limits
Beginning July 1, 2029, licensed doctoral psychologists can prescribe or stop medicines for recognized mental health conditions. They must have a written agreement with a collaborating psychiatrist, who files it with the Board and reports if it ends. The psychiatrist can limit which mental health drugs the psychologist may prescribe. For Schedule II–V drugs, the authority must list each drug by name. Psychologists cannot prescribe for people under 18, over 80, or who are pregnant. They cannot dispense, administer, or inject medicines, and cannot prescribe or give controlled substances by injection.
How psychologists earn prescribing specialty
Starting July 1, 2029, doctoral psychologists may apply to the Board for a prescribing specialty. To qualify, they must hold a Vermont doctoral psychology license, finish an APA‑designated postdoctoral psychopharmacology program, complete at least 14 months of rotations in five settings (psychiatry, geriatrics, family or internal medicine, emergency medicine, and neurology), and pass a national exam. Applicants must apply as the Board requires and pay any fees. The Board Director may grant the specialty by endorsement, without exam, to psychologists with active prescribing authority in another U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards, with payment of any fee.
Rules in 2026, prescribing in 2029
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Board of Psychological Examiners adopts rules for training, exams, drug limits, and collaborative agreements. Rules cover clinical rotations, psychopharmacology curriculum, which drugs need extra requirements, and competency checks. All other parts of the law, including the new prescribing specialty and prescriptive authority, take effect July 1, 2029. This timeline sets oversight first and starts prescribing later.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Francis McFaun
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Allen "Penny" R Demar
Republican • House
Brian J Cina
Democrat/Progressive • House
Gina M Galfetti
Republican • House
Leslie Goldman
Democratic • House
Rep. Mari Cordes
Affiliation unavailable
Woodman H Page
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on April 27, 2026
4/29/2026SenateSigned by Governor on April 27, 2026
4/28/2026HouseDelivered to the Governor on April 21, 2026
4/21/2026HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
4/17/2026SenateSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
4/16/2026HouseAction Calendar: Action postponed until April 16, 2026
4/16/2026HouseRep. Black of Essex moved to postpone action until April 16, 2026, which was agreed to
4/15/2026HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/15/2026HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/14/2026HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/10/2026HouseRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/9/2026SenateDivision Yeas-11, Nays-15, as requested by Senator Brock
4/9/2026SenatePending third reading, Senator Brock, and Chittenden proposal of amendment, disagreed to
4/9/2026SenateNew Business/Third Reading
4/9/2026Senate3rd reading ordered
4/8/2026SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to
4/8/2026SenateMotion by Senator(s) Brock to substitute report of Committee on Finance agreed to
4/8/2026SenateReported favorably by Senator Brock for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendment
4/8/2026SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Gulick for Committee on Health and Welfare
4/8/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance
4/8/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare
4/8/2026SenateUnfinished Business/Second Reading
4/8/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance
4/7/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare
4/7/2026SenateUnfinished Business/Second Reading
4/7/2026Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 84)
5/7/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
4/20/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
4/20/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/10/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
4/10/2026
As Passed by the House
4/1/2025
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
4/1/2025
As Introduced
2/14/2025
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