Psychological Technicians
Purpose
The Psychological Technician is a “technician” for the psychologist rather than a “clinician”. The difference between the two is with regard to the level of allowed decision making: procedural versus discretional. Discretional decision making is reserved for the psychologist (i.e., clinician) and non-discretional decision making (i.e., procedural) is appropriate for the psychological technician. The psychological technician ASSISTS the psychologist and is NOT independent in the provision of services. Discretional decision making involves independence and is not appropriate for the psychological technician. (See Psychologists Licensing Act and Rules of the Board for further information.)
Please refer to the Rules of the Board 575:10-1-7. Hiring of psychological technicians by psychologists.
Activities & Services
When an application to hire a psychological technician is reviewed, the activities and services to be provided are carefully studied to ensure they are NOT discretional in nature. The committee also reviews whether the individual has had training related to those activities and services.
