Chapter 510-10 UNLICENSED PRACTICE
An individual who does not hold a current license issued by the
Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and does not fall within one
of the exemptions set forth in O.C.G.A. Section 43-39-7:
| (a) |
May not render or order to render to
individuals, groups, organizations, or the public for a fee or any
remuneration, monetary or otherwise, any service involving the application of
recognized principles, methods, and procedures of the science and profession of
psychology, such as, but not limited to, diagnosing and treating mental and
nervous disorders and illnesses, rendering opinions concerning diagnoses of
mental disorders, including organic brain disorders and brain damage, engaging
in neuropsychology, engaging in psychotherapy, interviewing, administering, and
interpreting tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, and personality
characteristics for such purposes as psychological classification or
evaluation, or for education or vocational placement, or for such purposes as
psychological counseling, guidance, or readjustment. |
| (b) |
May not offer direct psychological
services or supervise psychological services, including for training purposes,
regardless of fee or remuneration, monetary or otherwise. |
| (c) |
May not advertise that he or she is
licensed by the Board; |
| (d) |
May not
use any words, letters, titles, or figures indicating or implying that he or
she is licensed by the Board. |
| (e) |
May not use any words, letters, titles, or figures indicating or otherwise
implying that he or she is a psychologist or is in any way practicing
psychology. |
A business entity may not use in its name any words, letters,
titles, or figures that indicate or imply the practice of psychology unless at
least one employee or officer of that entity holds a current psychology license
issued by the Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
| (1) |
Definitions:
| (a) |
Psychological Testing
is defined as the use of assessment instruments that measure mental
abilities, personality characteristics, or neuropsychological functioning in
order to diagnose, render opinions, treat, classify or evaluate mental and
nervous disorders and illnesses including organic brain disorders and brain
damage. |
| (b) |
Mental Abilities
are defined as abilities that are psychological in nature, as opposed to
physical in nature. Mental abilities include, but are not limited to,
intelligence, cognition, attention, concentration, memory, language,
abstraction, creativity and problem solving. |
| (c) |
Personality Characteristics
are defined as personality states, traits, attitudes, emotional
conditions, self-image, motivation and interpersonal behaviors. Personality
assessment includes objective and projective personality tests. |
| (d) |
Neuropsychological Functioning
is defined as the psychological manifestations of brain functioning.
Neuropsychological testing is the use of psychological tests and assessment
techniques to assess brain functioning and to diagnose brain pathology, organic
brain disorders, and brain damage. Neuropsychological functioning includes, but
is not limited to, sensory-motor functioning, attention, concentration, memory
language, abstraction, problem solving, visual spatial ability, executive
functioning and personality. |
|
| (2) |
The administration and interpretation of
tests for psychological purposes constitutes the practice of psychology, and,
accordingly, requires that the individual administering and interpreting such
psychological tests be currently licensed by the State of Georgia as a
psychologist. Students, trainees or assistants who satisfy the requisite
statutory and rule requirements may administer and interpret psychological
tests under the direct supervision of a currently licensed psychologist.
| (b) |
Psychologists also administer and
interpret other tests, including but not limited to educational and vocational
tests, interest inventories, academic achievement tests, test that evaluate
marital and family functioning, and test that assess alcohol and substance
abuse and dependence, however these other tests are not entirely within the
domain of the profession of psychology alone. |
|
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a person with a license
issued by another professional board from engaging in any activity for which
that person is currently authorized to by state law to practice. Persons
practicing acts exempted under O.C.G.A. Section
43-39-7
shall not be considered to be unlawfully practicing
psychology.
