Signed by Governor Pat Quinn

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe drugs.

Highlights:

• Authorizes doctoral-level psychologists to receive certification as “prescribing psychologists” with the authority to prescribe and dispense drugs to patients if the psychologist meets certain requirements including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 5):
• The psychologist earns a master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology;
• The psychologist completes at least 80 hours of clinical assessment and pathophysiology experience; and
• The psychologist completes at least 400 hours treating at least 100 patients with mental disorders.

• Requires the Clinical Psychologists Licensing and Disciplinary Board to establish a method for the renewal every 2 years of prescribing psychologist certificates at the time of the renewal of clinical psychology licenses (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Board to develop and implement procedures and criteria for reviewing educational and training credentials for the certification process and the extent of prescriptive authority (Sec. 5).

• Requires every prescription by a prescribing psychologist to meet the following requirements (Sec. 5):
• Comply with all applicable state and federal laws;
• Be identified as issued by the psychologist as a prescribing psychologist; and
• Include the prescribing psychologist’s identification number as assigned by the Board.

• Requires a prescribing psychologist to take certain measures for patients including, but not limited to, the following measures (Sec. 5):
• Collect information on risk factors related to the diagnostic condition of a patient;
• Collect information on patient medications; and
• Provide patient education on prescriptions including dosing requirements and instructions, expected benefits, and potential side effects.

• Requires all prescribing psychologists to maintain a “written collaborative agreement” with a physician to deliver prescribing services, and authorizes the physician to delegate prescriptive authority to the prescribing psychologist (Secs. 5 & 10).

• Authorizes prescribing psychologists from other states to become licensed to prescribe in Illinois upon endorsement from the state or upon passing the state examination (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that applicants from other states may not be required to pass an examination in Illinois if the applicant meets certain requirements including, but not limited to, proof of education, testing, and experience (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text