Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 575 - State Board of Examiners of Psychologists without any web link
Legal & Institutional Framework
The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists regulates the licensing and practice of psychologists in Oklahoma under the Psychologists Licensing Act, codified in Title 59, Oklahoma Statutes §§ 1351–1376.
Rules under Title 575 implement the statutory requirements: education, examination, supervision, licensing, continuing education, hiring of psychological technicians, procedures for status of licenses, and public protection.
Key Rules / Provisions in Title 575
Here are some of the important rules, with their main points:
Requirements to Become Licensed (OAC 575:10‑1‑2)
A doctoral degree in psychology is required (with detailed course work in core areas, e.g. biological, social, cognitive‑affective bases of behavior, psychometrics, etc.). Legal Information Institute
Supervised experience requirement: post‑doctoral experience over two years, aligned with major doctoral training, not with immediate family or someone who would compromise objectivity. Legal Information Institute+1
Predoctoral internship may partially fulfill postdoctoral supervision, but no more than 2,000 internship hours. Legal Information Institute
Exam requirements: EPPP (national) plus a Jurisprudence exam covering board rules, statutes, ethics. Failure limits, retake procedures, confidentiality of exam results. Casetext+1
Disqualifying criminal offenses: The Board maintains a list of offenses that disqualify applicants; an applicant may request an initial determination of whether their criminal history disqualifies them. Casetext+1
Private Practice Under Supervision (OAC 575:10‑1‑3)
This rule allows persons who are not yet fully licensed to practice under supervision, so long as an agreement with a licensed psychologist supervisor is in place. Justia
Such supervised practice applicants cannot represent themselves as fully independent practitioners. Justia
Supervisors must meet qualifications: licensed for at least two years, in the same major area, actively in practice, etc. Justia
Psychologists’ Licenses; License Status; Public Inquiries (OAC 575:10‑1‑5)
Differentiates active, inactive, and invalid status of licenses. Legal Information Institute
Fees: renewal fees (for active status) cannot exceed $400/year. Legal Information Institute
Procedures for returning to active status, rules around continuing education, profile of unresolved complaints, etc. Legal Information Institute
Hiring of Psychological Technicians (OAC 575:10‑1‑7)
Psychologists may hire psychological technicians, but only under strict Board‑approved supervision. Legal Information Institute
Approval requires description of technician’s training, the work they will do, supervision arrangements, etc. Legal Information Institute
Technicians cannot perform certain tasks, and their activity cannot substitute for postdoctoral supervised experience. Legal Information Institute
Endorsement / Reciprocity Licensure
The Board allows licensure by endorsement or reciprocity under certain conditions: credentials from other states, holding Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ), or being a diplomate of certain boards. Welcome to Oklahoma's Official Web Site+1
Criminal Background / Disqualifying Offenses
Applicants must undergo a criminal background check. Offenses that bear directly on fitness to be a psychologist may disqualify. Casetext+1
Case Law / Judicial Decisions
Some court decisions have interpreted these laws/rules. Here are two significant ones:
Whittle v. State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 1971 OK 37, 483 P.2d 328
The plaintiff, Mr. Whittle, had a master’s degree and substantial years of professional practice, including industrial psychology consulting. He had not completed a PhD and was denied a license by the Board under statutory licensing requirements. Justia
The Oklahoma Supreme Court held that the way the Board required letters from licensed psychologists “personally familiar with the character of the applicant’s practice” (especially when the applicant was a sole practitioner) without giving alternative procedures was unreasonable. It reversed and remanded, directing the Board to provide a “reasonable acceptable means” for determining whether competence exists, even if the standard route (e.g. doctoral degree) is not met. Justia
Key legal principles: due process; licensing requirements must provide fair opportunity; the Board’s rules cannot be arbitrary especially when enforcing “grandfather” provisions; statutory exceptions must be interpreted reasonably. Justia
Boyer v. State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 1992 OK CIV APP 80, 834 P.2d 450
Dr. Boyer sought licensure either by meeting examination eligibility or by reciprocity (having been licensed in another state). The Board denied his application on both grounds because it found his education did not meet Oklahoma's standards under the relevant statute (59 O.S. § 1362) and that the reciprocal licensing route was not available. Justia
On review, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals held that:
a. The Board’s decision was supported by substantial evidence.
b. The procedure afforded Boyer satisfied due process (he was given opportunity to present evidence, to respond, etc.).
c. Denial was not arbitrary or capricious. Justia
Legal Themes and Implications
From the statutes/rules and case law, we can draw several important legal principles and implications:
Due Process Requirements: When a license or the right to practice is denied, the applicant is entitled to notice, opportunity to be heard, to present evidence. The Board’s procedural decisions are subject to judicial review under standards like “arbitrary and capricious” or “substantial evidence.” (Whittle; Boyer)
Statutory Exceptions / Grandfathering Must Be Reasonably Administered: Licensing statutes often contain exceptions (grandfather clauses) for those who practiced before the enactment, etc. The Board cannot impose burdens so onerous that compliance is impossible (especially in Whittle).
Standards for Education / Credentials: The law requires specific coursework, major doctoral study, supervised experience. Degrees in fields “related to psychology” but not psychology itself and ones without required content are not sufficient.
Supervision and Supervised Practice: Supervisory arrangements are subject to Board rules; supervision must be direct, with delineated responsibility and accountabilities.
Public Protection: The Board can deny licenses based on criminal history under statutes/rules when the crime is substantially related to the practice. Rules allow for initial determinations, appeals.
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