Starting after December 31, 2026, the state board of psychologist examiners must hand certain authority over licensing and regulating behavior analysts to its committee on behavior analysts, and the board shrinks from 10 to 8 members with no seats set aside for behavior analysts.
Official title: behavior analysts; committee; regulatory authority
- Takes effect after December 31, 2026
What changes
BeforeThe state board of psychologist examiners had 10 members appointed by the governor, 7 of them licensed under the chapter and 3 public members.
NowThe board has 8 members appointed by the governor, 5 of them licensed under the chapter and 3 public members.
BeforeAt least 2 board members had to be behavior analysts in professional practice who also sat on the committee on behavior analysts.
NowThe board no longer must include behavior analysts. It still must include at least 2 psychologists who are full-time university faculty and at least 3 psychologists in professional practice.
BeforeThe 5-member committee on behavior analysts had to include 2 board members.
NowAll 5 committee members must still be licensed behavior analysts in professional practice, but none is required to be a board member.
BeforeBefore acting on any matter about licensing and regulating behavior analysts, the board had to receive and consider the committee's recommendations, except for a summary suspension of a license. The committee had to make recommendations on all such matters.
NowThe board must delegate to the committee its authority under 3 named sections of law relating to licensing and regulating behavior analysts. For each authority it delegates, the board must adopt a substantive policy statement, which is generally a written statement of how an agency will apply its rules.
Who it affects
- Licensed behavior analysts
- Applicants for behavior analyst licenses
- State board of psychologist examiners and its members
- Committee on behavior analysts
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What happens to the current board members, including the behavior analysts now serving on the board, when the board shrinks to 8 members
- What specific powers are covered by the 3 sections of law the board must delegate to the committee
- When the board must adopt the required substantive policy statements
- Whether the board can review or overturn decisions the committee makes under the delegated authority
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.