HB352, a bill titled the “Healthcare Licensing Compacts,” would allow Alaska to join four compacts for medical professionals, allowing expedited licensing for physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and EMS personnel. Representative Zack Fields and Representative Andrew Gray are the sponsors of the bill currently in the House Labor & Commerce Committee.
The psychology compact known as the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, or PSYPACT is one of the compacts and would allow qualifying licensed psychologists to practice across state lines, but only in other PSYPACT states.
AK-PA was invited to provide public comment or answer questions on PSYPACT three times. During the first meeting, the other three invited groups fully endorsed their inclusion in the bill. AK-PA, however, informed the committee that our board had not yet endorsed PSYPACT due to the concerns that the requirements to qualify to practice across state lines were limiting. This would specifically affect doctoral graduates at Alaska Pacific University (APU). Because of this, the board decided to survey our members before deciding to endorse PSYPACT or not.
PSYPACT’s executive director, Janet Orwig, attended AK-PA’s March board meeting to answer questions and concerns. In response to the limiting requirements to qualify to practice across state lines with what is known as an E.Passport, Ms. Orwig informed the board that there are now six pathways to gain the E.Passport, and number 6 should work for those whose doctoral program was not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).1 A request was made for Ms. Orwig to provide a list of universities or programs that had graduates obtain the E.Passport so that AK-PA and APU could understand and assist their graduates.
The survey results at the time of the board meeting showed a 48% response from AK-PA members who are licensed psychologists. A majority of responses (64%) were supportive to strongly supportive of Alaska adopting PSYPACT, 11% were neutral, and 23% somewhat or strongly opposed. Nearly half of those who are opposed to PSYPACT are not eligible for an E.Passport under the current APA accreditation requirements.
The survey results showed that PSYPACT’s benefits will outweigh potential concerns.
- Top benefits of joining PSYPACT reported by members:
- 50% said: Continuity of care for relocating patients
- 28% said: Increased access for rural Alaskans
- 8% said: Professional mobility
- Top concerns of joining PSYPACT reported by members:
- 25% said: Exclusion of non-APA graduates
- 22% said: Cultural competence concerns
- 14% said: Insurance reimbursement issues
- 14% said: No major concerns
During the closed session of the board meeting, board members also expressed their concerns about the cultural competence of psychologists from another PSYPACT state who would continue to serve their clients that move to Alaska or are in Alaska for a prolonged period. When a vote was called to endorse HB352 and PSYPACT, the majority of AK-PA’s board members voted to support both.
The HB352 endorsement letter sent to the House Labor and Commerce Committee also noted that AK-PA would work to address two main concerns regarding PSYPACT. First, confirm that graduates of the doctoral program in Psychology at Alaska Pacific University will be eligible to seek PSYPACT credentials. Second, AK-PA is committed to promoting culturally competent psychological practice in the state and will develop a plan to disseminate continuing education materials for out-of-state PSYPACT psychologists who will provide service to their clients moving to or are in Alaska. AK-PA would coordinate this effort with the Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associates.
A similar bill is being introduced in the Senate that includes the same four compacts but it is much broader in scope. The AK-PA Board will be asked to comment and endorse it as well.
AK-PA would like to hear from non-member licensed psychologists as well and will keep the same survey open through the end of March. That survey can be accessed at this link: https://www.ak-pa.org/lac/
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1 Possession of a doctoral degree in psychology that meets the criteria as outlined in the Mobility Program Policies and Procedures Manual https://asppb.net/pathways-e-passport-epassport-asppb-licensure-psychology/
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