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MississippiSB 27312025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Psychologists; extend repealer on licensure law related to.

Sponsored By: Hob Bryan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesPublic Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 7 mixed.

Clients control questioning about therapy communications

Beginning July 1, 2025, psychologists cannot be questioned about client communications or advice from professional work without the client’s consent. A psychologist’s secretary, stenographer, or clerk also cannot be questioned about information learned through that job without the employer’s consent.

Out-of-state psychologists can provide online care

Beginning July 1, 2025, the board can authorize psychologists licensed elsewhere to provide online care across state lines. They must meet the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact’s requirements, including its rules for temporary practice approval. This provides a legal route for qualified out-of-state psychologists to serve Mississippi patients remotely.

Psychology board expands and oversees behavior analysts

The Mississippi Board of Psychology grows from seven members to nine. Two new terms start July 1, 2025, and end July 1, 2028, and July 1, 2029. One member must be neither a psychologist nor a mental health professional, but must have an ongoing interest in psychology. The board also administers behavior analyst and assistant behavior analyst licensing formerly handled by the Mississippi Autism Board. Members receive no salary but may receive travel reimbursement; licensing fees stay in a dedicated state fund.

Experienced outside psychologists get licensing routes

Beginning July 1, 2025, the board can license outside psychologists through professional credentials or long licensing experience. Applicants need qualifying professional diplomate status, a valid Certificate of Professional Qualification, or 20 years of qualifying doctoral-level licensure. The experience route accepts licenses from U.S. states or territories, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or Canadian provinces. Applicants must have no disciplinary sanctions during their entire licensure history, face no current licensing-board investigation, and pass oral and Mississippi-law exams. Separate state licensing rules apply to military-trained applicants, military spouses, and people establishing Mississippi residence.

Retired psychologists can pay half fees

Beginning July 1, 2025, eligible retired Mississippi psychologists can apply for emeritus status at half the regular renewal fee. They must be at least 65 and have held a Mississippi psychologist license continuously for at least 20 years. They must be retired from full-time practice and work no more than 80 hours monthly in Mississippi. They must renew each year on the regular renewal schedule and confirm continued eligibility and retirement.

Temporary licenses let outside psychologists practice

Beginning July 1, 2025, psychologists licensed elsewhere can apply for a temporary Mississippi license while completing permanent licensing. They must pass the EPPP licensing exam at the permanent-license level and cannot be under another licensing board’s investigation. The temporary license costs the same as a permanent license and lasts until the next oral exam. It lapses after a failed oral exam or board suspension or revocation. Applicants awaiting Mississippi licensure cannot practice without a temporary license, including by phone, internet, or telehealth. Separate state licensing rules apply to military-trained applicants, military spouses, and people establishing Mississippi residence.

Trainees and school psychologists keep exceptions

Beginning July 1, 2025, psychology students, interns, and trainees can provide services within a supervised college course of study. Other Mississippi-licensed professionals can do psychological work within their training, experience, and ethics, but cannot present themselves as psychologists. State education-certified workers can use protected school psychology titles only while employed by or contracted with school districts in educational settings. College lecturers can use academic or research titles, but cannot present themselves as psychologists or practice psychology through this exception.

Visiting psychologists get limited practice certificates

Beginning July 1, 2025, psychologists licensed elsewhere can get a certificate for up to 30 practice days per consecutive 12-month period. Before serving patients, they must tell the board about the work and provide a current license or proof of good standing. The certificate costs no more than $300, and the board may require an exam on Mississippi law. Mississippi residents and people previously denied Mississippi licensure cannot use this option. It is also unavailable to people planning to practice full-time or for most of their time in Mississippi.

Psychology oversight carries penalties and protections

Beginning July 1, 2025, the board can discipline psychologists for fraud, ethical violations, certain convictions, unsafe impairment, or work beyond their skills. Discipline requires at least four board votes, and the board can recover investigation, prosecution, and hearing costs. Suspensions under this section last no more than one year, followed by review for reinstatement or revocation. After revocation, a person must wait more than two years from the legally effective denial or revocation before reapplying. The board can also suspend licenses for support-order violations and require impairment assessment, treatment, or supervision without that step itself being discipline. Compact-authorized practitioners face the same disciplinary grounds and process. Unauthorized practice, including practice with a suspended, revoked, or expired license, carries up to 60 days in jail, a $300 fine, or both per offense; compact-authorized practice is excepted. The Attorney General can seek permanent court orders stopping unlawful practice. Good-faith, nonmalicious reporters and people helping the board receive civil and criminal immunity, but this does not protect the reported psychologist.

Mississippi keeps psychologist licensing through 2029

Effective July 1, 2025, the law moves the repeal of Mississippi’s psychologist licensing rules to July 1, 2029. It keeps state oversight of testing, counseling, therapy, supervision, and related services. Applicants generally need to be at least 21, hold a qualifying doctorate, complete a 1,800-hour accredited internship, and pass exams. Applicants must also provide a Social Security number and undergo fingerprint-based state and FBI background checks. Annual renewal fees remain capped at $700, and licensees must complete at least 20 continuing education hours in odd-numbered years. Application and renewal fees are nonrefundable, their annual increases cannot exceed $50, and late renewal fees are allowed. The board may also charge up to $700 for exams related to civil commitment proceedings.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hob Bryan

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 211 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/21/2025

Concurred in Amend From House

Yes: 41 • No: 0

House vote • 2/27/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 119 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Passed

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/2/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/26/2025House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/26/2025Senate

  4. Concurred in Amend From House

    3/21/2025Senate

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    2/28/2025House

  6. Passed As Amended

    2/27/2025House

  7. Amended

    2/27/2025House

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/25/2025House

  9. Referred To Public Health and Human Services

    2/17/2025House

  10. Transmitted To House

    2/14/2025Senate

  11. Passed

    2/13/2025Senate

  12. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/4/2025Senate

  13. Referred To Public Health and Welfare

    1/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

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