STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY [49 PA. CODE CH. 41] Examination Fees [29 Pa.B. 2296] The State Board of Psychology (Board) amends § 41.12 (relating to fees) pertaining to increased fees for the National portion of the April 1999 and subsequent examinations for licensure to read as set forth in Annex A.
Under section 812.1 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 279.3a), examinations for licensure must be prepared and administered by a professional testing organization under contract to the appropriate board. Both the National portion (Pennsylvania Practice of Psychology Examination) and the State portion (Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examinations) are administered by Professional Examination Service.
This rulemaking will change fees for the National portion of the examination to candidates for licensure. Contract costs for the National portion of the examination will increase from $295 to $350 per candidate beginning April 1999. To identify the source of the increase, the contract costs for each portion of the examination are segregated from the administrative costs. Therefore, while the Annex A alters the fees for the National and State portions of the examination as well as the administrative costs, only the fees for the National portion will be increased.
Public notice of intention to amend the regulation under the procedures specified in sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) (CDL), has been omitted as authorized under section 204(3) of the CDL (45 P. S. § 1204(3)), because the Board finds that these procedures are, under the circumstances, unnecessary. Public comment is unnecessary because section 812.1 of The Administrative Code of 1929 requires that candidate fees cover the cost of the examination. All persons affected by the rulemaking, however, have been given actual notice of the Board's intention to amend the regulation in advance of final rulemaking under section 204(2) of the CDL.
Statutory Authority
This rulemaking is adopted under the authority of section 812.1 of The Administrative Code of 1929 and sections 3.2(2) and 3.3(d) of the Professional Psychologists Practice Act (act) (63 P. S. §§ 1203.2(2) and 1203.3(d)).
Fiscal Impact and Paperwork Requirements
The rulemaking will have no fiscal impact on the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions. Candidates for licensure by examination will be required to pay an increased fee to cover contract costs for the National portion of the examination.
Regulatory Review
Under section 5.1(c) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5a(c)), on March 12, 1999, a copy of the final-omitted regulation was submitted to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and the House Committee on Professional Licensure. In addition, at the same time, the final-omitted regulation was submitted to the Office Attorney General for review and comment under the Commonwealth Attorneys Act (71 P. S. §§ 732-101--732-506).
Under section 5.1(d) of the Regulatory Review Act, the final-omitted regulation was deemed approved by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on April 1, 1999, and was approved by the House Professional Licensure Committee on March 23, 1999. Under section 5.1(e) of the Regulatory Review Act, IRRC met on April 8, 1999, and approved the final-omitted regulation.
Additional Information
Individuals who desire information are invited to submit inquiries to Melissa Wilson, Board Administrator, State Board of Psychology, P. O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649, (717) 783-7155.
Findings
The Board finds that:
(1) Public notice of intention to amend the regulation as adopted by this order under the procedures specified in sections 201 and 202 of the CDL has been omitted under the authority contained in section 204(3) of the CDL, because the Board has, for good cause, found that the procedure specified in sections 201 and 202 of the CDL, is in this circumstance, unnecessary, because section 812.1 of The Administrative Code of 1929 requires candidate fees cover the cost of the examination.
(2) Persons affected by the amendment as adopted by this order have been given actual notice of the Board's intention to amend the regulation in advance of final rulemaking under section 204(2) of the CDL.
(3) The amendment of the regulation of the Board in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration of its authorizing statute.
The Board, acting under its authorizing statute, orders that:
(a) The regulations of the Board, 49 Pa. Code Chapter 41, are amended by amending § 41.12 to read as set forth in Annex A.
(b) The Chairperson of the Board shall submit this order and Annex A to the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Attorney General for approval as to legality as required by law.
(c) The Chairperson of the Board shall certify this order and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(d) This order shall become effective immediately upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
YVONNE E. KEAIRNS, Ph.D.,
Chairperson(Editor's Note: For the text of the order of the Independent Regulatory Review Commission relating to the document, see 29 Pa.B. 2195 (April 24, 1999).)
Fiscal Note: 16A-635. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A TITLE 49. PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS PART I. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Subpart A. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS CHAPTER 41. STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY LICENSES § 41.12. Fees.
The schedule of fees charged by the Board is as follows:
Initial application fee $105 Reapplication fee--first time examination failure $15 Reapplication fee--subsequent examination
failure$105 Examination fee--National part only $350 Examination fee--State part only $42 Administration fee (to be added to sum of parts
taken at one sitting)$45 Certification fee $15 Biennial renewal fee $120 Application fee--continuing education sponsor/
provider approval$165 [Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-703. Filed for public inspection April 30, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]
