California CodesBusiness and Professions Code - BPCDivision 2 — Healing ArtsChapter 6.6 — PsychologistsArticle 1 — General ProvisionsSection 2913

A person other than a licensed psychologist may perform psychological functions in preparation for licensure as a psychologist only if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The person is registered with the board as a “registered psychological associate.” This registration shall be renewed annually in accordance with regulations adopted by the board.

(b)(1) The person has completed any of the following:

(A) Completed a master’s degree in psychology.

(B) Completed a master’s degree in education with the field of specialization in educational psychology, counseling psychology, or school psychology.

(C) Completed three or more years of postgraduate education and has been admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree in any of the following:

(i) Psychology with the field of specialization in clinical, counseling, school, consulting, forensic, industrial, or organizational psychology.

(ii) Education, with the field of specialization in educational psychology, counseling psychology, or school psychology.

(iii) A field of specialization designed to prepare graduates for the professional practice of psychology.

(D) Completed a doctoral degree that qualifies for licensure under Section 2914.

(2) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a degree meets the requirements of this subdivision.

(3) An applicant for registration trained in an educational institution outside of the United States or Canada shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant possesses a doctoral degree in psychology or education, as specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), that is equivalent to a degree earned from a regionally accredited academic institution in the United States or Canada by providing the board with an evaluation of the degree by a foreign credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), or by the National Register of Health Services Psychologists (NRHSP), and any other documentation the board deems necessary. The member of the NACES or the NRHSP shall submit the evaluation to the board directly and shall include in the evaluation all of the following:

(A) A transcript in English, or translated into English by the credential evaluation service, of the degree used to qualify for licensure.

(B) An indication that the degree used to qualify for licensure is verified using primary sources.

(C) A determination that the degree is equivalent to a degree that qualifies for licensure pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).

(c)(1) The registered psychological associate is supervised by a licensed psychologist. Any supervision may be provided in real time, which is defined as through in-person or synchronous audiovisual means, in compliance with federal and state laws related to patient health confidentiality. The registered psychological associate’s primary supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of the psychological services performed are consistent with the registered psychological associate’s and the primary supervisor’s training and experience. The primary supervisor shall be responsible for the registered psychological associate’s compliance with this chapter and regulations. A primary supervisor may delegate supervision as prescribed by the board’s regulations.

(2) A licensed psychologist shall not supervise more than three registered psychological associates at any given time.

(d) A registered psychological associate shall not do either of the following:

(1) Provide psychological services to the public except as a trainee pursuant to this section.

(2) Receive payments, monetary or otherwise, directly from clients.