(1) For the purposes of this part 3, the practice of psychology means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, or modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures, for the purpose of:
(a) Preventing, eliminating, evaluating, assessing, or predicting symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior;
(b) Evaluating, assessing, or facilitating the enhancement of individual, group, or organizational effectiveness, including personal effectiveness, adaptive behavior, interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, health, and individual, group, or organizational performance; or
(c) Providing clinical information to be utilized in legal proceedings.
(2) The practice of psychology includes:
(a) Psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as intelligence; personality; cognitive, physical, or emotional abilities; skills; interests; aptitudes; and neuropsychological functioning;
(b) Counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy;
(c) Diagnosis, treatment, and management of behavioral, mental, or emotional health disorders or disabilities; substance use disorders; and disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability;
(d) Psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, and remediation;
(e) Consultation with physicians, other health-care professionals, and patients regarding all available treatment options with respect to provision of care for a specific patient or client;
(f) The provision of direct services to individuals or groups for the purpose of enhancing individual and thereby organizational effectiveness, using psychological principles, methods, or procedures to assess and evaluate individuals on personal characteristics for individual development or behavior change or for making decisions about the individual, such as selection; and
(g) The supervision of any of the practices described in this subsection (2).
(3) Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, the public, and the courts.
(4) The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered.
Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1259, � 1, effective October 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-43-303 as it existed prior to 2019.
12-245-304. Qualifications - examinations - licensure and registration - rules. (1) The board shall issue a license as a psychologist to each applicant who files an application in a form and manner required by the board, submits the fee required by the board pursuant to section 12-245-205, and furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
(a) Is at least twenty-one years of age;
(b) Is not in violation of any provision of this article 245 or any rules promulgated by the board;
(c) Has completed a doctorate degree with a major in psychology, or the equivalent to that major as determined by the board, from an approved school;
(d) Has had at least one year of postdoctoral experience practicing psychology under supervision approved by the board;
(e) Demonstrates professional competence by passing a single, written examination in psychology as prescribed by the board and a jurisprudence examination administered by the division; and
(f) On and after July 14, 2020, upon the initial application for licensure, has completed a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3 (6)(d), with satisfactory results as determined by the board.
(2) (a) The examination by the board described in subsection (1)(e) of this section shall be given not less than twice per year at such time and place and under such supervision as the board may determine.
(b) The examination shall test for knowledge of the following three areas:
(I) General psychology;
(II) Clinical and counseling psychology; and
(III) Application of the practice of clinical and counseling psychology, including knowledge of appropriate statutes and professional ethics.
(c) The board or its designated representatives shall administer and determine the pass or fail status of the examination and take any actions necessary to ensure impartiality. The board shall determine the passing score for the examination based upon a level of minimum competency to engage in the practice of psychology.
(3) (a) The board shall register as a psychologist candidate a person who files an application for registration, accompanied by the fee required by section 12-245-205, and who:
(I) Submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the person has met the requirements of subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), and (1)(c) of this section; and
(II) Repealed.
(III) Has passed a jurisprudence examination administered by the division.
(b) A psychologist candidate registered pursuant to this subsection (3) is under the jurisdiction of the board. If the requirements of subsections (1)(d) and (1)(e) of this section are not met within three years, the registration of the psychologist candidate is subject to the renewal, reinstatement, and delinquency fee provisions specified in section 12-20-202. Prior to a second or subsequent renewal of a psychologist candidate registration, the registered psychologist candidate shall complete continuing professional development and educational hours to maintain the candidate's registration as a registered psychologist candidate.
(c) On or before December 31, 2024, the board shall begin the rule-making process to promulgate rules that bring the rules pertaining to psychologists into alignment with this part 3, including:
(I) A requirement to take and pass the Colorado jurisprudence examination to obtain a psychologist candidate registration;
(II) The renewal, reinstatement, and delinquency fee provisions specified in section 12-20-202; and
(III) The continuing professional development and educational hours specified in subsection (3)(b) of this section.
Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1260, � 1, effective October 1. L. 2020: (1)(d), (1)(e), and (3)(b) amended and (1)(f) added, (HB 20-1206), ch. 304, pp. 1535, 1548, �� 23, 54, effective July 14. L. 2022: (1)(f) amended, (HB 22-1270), ch. 114, p. 517, � 15, effective April 21. L. 2024: (3)(a)(II) repealed, (3)(a)(III) and (3)(c) added, and (3)(b) amended, (SB 24-115), ch. 217, p. 1346, � 3, effective August 7.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-43-304 as it existed prior to 2019.