Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 1180 - Board of Examiners in Psychology
Tennessee Title 1180 – Board of Examiners in Psychology
Purpose:
The Board regulates the licensure, practice, and professional conduct of psychologists, psychological examiners, and psychological assistants in Tennessee. Its goal is to protect the public from unqualified or unethical practitioners and ensure high standards of professional psychology practice.
Core Regulatory Areas
1. Licensure and Scope of Practice
Individuals must be licensed or certified by the Board to practice psychology.
Only licensed professionals may use titles such as “Psychologist” or “Psychological Examiner.”
Practice includes all settings: private clinics, hospitals, academic institutions, and telehealth platforms.
Violation: Practicing without a license is considered unprofessional conduct.
2. Professional Ethics and Patient Records
Psychologists must maintain complete, accurate, and confidential patient records.
Records must include assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and consent documentation.
Improper handling or destruction of records can be grounds for disciplinary action.
3. Continuing Education
Psychologists and examiners must complete mandatory continuing education (CE), usually 40 hours every two years.
CE ensures practitioners remain competent and up-to-date with evolving psychological practices.
4. Disciplinary Grounds
The Board may take action against licensees for:
Unprofessional or unethical conduct.
Fraud in obtaining or maintaining licensure.
Gross malpractice, negligence, or incompetence.
Sexual misconduct or boundary violations.
Habitual intoxication or impairment affecting practice.
Breach of patient confidentiality.
Misleading advertising or false claims.
Conviction of a felony or serious offense.
Prior disciplinary actions in other jurisdictions.
5. Possible Disciplinary Actions
Advisory Censure: Informal warning.
Formal Reprimand: Documented warning in the Board’s records.
Probation: Practice under supervision and compliance conditions.
Suspension: Temporary loss of license.
Revocation: Permanent loss of license.
Civil Penalties: Monetary fines for violations.
Illustrative Case Examples
Case 1 – Gross Negligence and Breach of Ethics
Scenario: A psychologist repeatedly failed to maintain adequate patient records and delayed responses to record requests.
Action: The Board issued a formal reprimand and required additional continuing education in ethics and recordkeeping.
Outcome: The psychologist continued practicing under probation with monitoring.
Case 2 – Practicing Without a Valid License
Scenario: A psychologist continued seeing patients after their license expired.
Action: The Board issued a cease-and-desist order and assessed civil penalties.
Outcome: License reinstatement required completion of CE and reapplication.
Case 3 – Sexual Misconduct
Scenario: A complaint alleged inappropriate conduct with a client.
Action: The Board conducted a formal investigation.
Outcome: The psychologist’s license was suspended, with restrictions on practice and mandatory counseling.
Case 4 – Misleading Advertising
Scenario: A licensed psychological examiner advertised services making unsubstantiated claims about treatment outcomes.
Action: Board issued a formal censure and required corrective advertising.
Outcome: Licensee placed on probation with monitoring of future marketing practices.
Case 5 – Interstate Discipline Recognition
Scenario: A psychologist disciplined in another state for boundary violations.
Action: Tennessee Board treated the other state’s disciplinary order as valid.
Outcome: License revoked in Tennessee without re-litigating the underlying facts.
Board Operations
Reviews applications for licensure and renewal.
Investigates complaints and allegations of misconduct.
Approves continuing education programs.
Holds hearings for disciplinary matters, imposing sanctions as necessary.
Summary
Title 1180 ensures:
Only qualified individuals practice psychology in Tennessee.
High ethical and professional standards are maintained.
Continuous professional development through CE requirements.
Public protection through clear disciplinary rules and enforcement.
Accountability for violations, ranging from reprimands to license revocation.
Significance:
These rules are critical for maintaining public trust, ensuring competent care, and safeguarding patients from unethical or incompetent practitioners. The illustrative cases demonstrate the Board’s enforcement of these standards in real-world scenarios.
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