Update on Professional Will Information

OSBEP no longer requires a professional will for licensure. However, APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct ("Ethics Code") Standard 3.12 states that "unless covered by contract, psychologists make reasonable efforts to plan for facilitating services in the event that psychological services are interrupted by factors such as the psychologist's illness, death, unavailability, relocation or retirement or by the client's/patient's relocation or financial limitations.

In addition Ethics Code 6.02(c) states: "Psychologists make plans in advance to facilitate the appropriate transfer and to protect the confidentiality of records and data in the event of psychologists' withdrawal from positions or practice." Therefore, unless you work in a group practice or organization with policies in place that address issues such as continuity of care and transfer of records, some advance planning is needed. You may want to consult an attorney regarding the potential legal responsibilities as serving as the fiduciary for another psychologist in the event of their death or incapacity.