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 discretionary. Discretionary decision making is reserved for the psychologist (i.e., clinician) and non-discretionary 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.
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.
Please refer to the Rules of the Board 575:10-1-7. Hiring of psychological technicians by psychologists.
Initial Application – Psychological Technician
Individuals seeking approval to serve as a Psychological Technician in Oklahoma must submit a completed application, all required supporting documentation, and the applicable non-refundable application fee to the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for review and approval.
Applications must be approved by the Board prior to the proposed Psychological Technician engaging in any psychological activities or services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Incomplete applications or missing documentation may delay the review process. Applications must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
Psychological Technician Applications are reviewed and approved by a committee. Once an application is received in the board office, the application is sent to a committee for approval. Upon approval, an email notification will be provided to the hiring psychologist.
Official transcripts must be requested from all universities listed under the “Academic Background” section. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Board office. Copies submitted by the applicant will not be accepted.
Initial Psychological Technician applications must be submitted to the Board office along with the appropriate fee:
- $200.00 for the first supervising psychologist
- $100.00 for a second supervising psychologist at the same facility
All fees are non-refundable.
Requests and payment by check or money order should be mailed to:
Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
421 NW 13th Street, Suite 180
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Note: The Board office does not accept cash or credit card payments in the office for this service. Payment must be submitted in the form of a check or money order only.
Renewal Application – Psychological Technician
Supervising Psychologists are required to indicate whether they wish to renew their authorization for the continued employment of a Psychological Technician in accordance with the rules of the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
To renew authorization, the completed renewal form and the required renewal fee must be submitted to the Board for processing. Renewal requests may be submitted online by completing the request form and submitting payment by credit card. A $100 non-refundable renewal fee applies.
Note: A credit card convenience fee may also apply.
If the Supervising Psychologist does not wish to renew the authorization, or wishes to terminate the agreement at any time, the Psychologist must notify the Board office by email at boardstaff@psychology.ok.gov.
