Prescriptive authority for psychologists: The next step.

Abstract

Since the endorsement of prescriptive authority for psychologists (RxP) by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1995, it has become legal in five states (Idaho,

Demographics and clinical characteristics of patients of prescribing psychologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians.

“…Prescriptive authority for psychologists (RxP) has been championed by psychologists since the mid-1980s as a strategy to increase the number of specialist mental health prescribers, gaining momentum following a successful Department of Defense demonstration project in which psychologists were trained to safely prescribe psychotropic medications (DeLeon et al, 1991; Fox, 1988; Fox et al, 2009; Sammons & Brown, 1997). To date, six states (New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado) and Guam have passed RxP laws (Curtis et al, 2023; Licensed Psychologist Prescriptive Authority, 2023). Additionally, similar policies enable psychologists to prescribe in the U. S. Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service, and the Department of Defense (Curtis et al, 2023).…”

“…To date, six states (New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado) and Guam have passed RxP laws (Curtis et al, 2023; Licensed Psychologist Prescriptive Authority, 2023). Additionally, similar policies enable psychologists to prescribe in the U. S. Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service, and the Department of Defense (Curtis et al, 2023). The requirements for psychologists seeking an RxP license vary by state regarding practicum requirements, but all prescribing psychologists generally must have a 2-year postdoctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology and pass a national licensing exam.…”

Societal Disruptions And Child Mental Health: Evidence From ADHD Diagnosis During The COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, clinical research shows signification heterogeneity in adherence to these formal guidelines. 3 2 Only 5 states have psychologist prescriptive authority laws, but these are only allowed under limited circumstances that, at the current time, do not extend to the school-setting Curtis et al (2022).…”

Prescribing psychologists: Forgotten providers in the battle against opioid use disorder

“…From 3 March 2023, six states now currently allow qualified psychologists seek prescriptive authority (RxP; Table 1), and there were nearly 250 prescribing psychologists in the United States from early 2023 (Dr. Derek Phillips, personal communication) [5,6]. Furthermore, several states have RxP bills under consideration [7][8][9].…”

“…Additional interest has been expressed by individuals in Brazil, Norway, the Netherlands, Croatia, Taiwan and South Africa [12,13]. Although additional specific requirements vary between states, all prescribing psychologists complete a 2-year post-doctoral Master of Science in clinical psychopharmacology (MSCP) degree and pass a national psychopharmacology qualifying examination [5]. The MSCP is designed to equip psychologists with the technical knowledge necessary to prescribe psychotropic medications and provides extensive training in pharmacology, psychopharmacology, physiology, neuroscience and clinical pharmacotherapeutics.…”