By Legal & Regulatory Affairs staff
The trend toward telepsychology — the use of communication technologies in the provision of psychological services — has the potential to reduce hospitalizations, increase access to mental health care and save lives. But there are also limitations and restrictions on the use of telepsychology. Statutes and regulations governing the provision of telepsychology services vary greatly from state to state.
Over the past few years, a growing number of states have passed or updated laws or rules governing telepsychology practice. The increasing volume of laws pertain to both delivery of and payment for telepsychology services.
In light of these developments, the APA Practice Directorate’s Office of Legal & Regulatory Affairs has updated the Telepsychology 50-state review (previously called the Telehealth 50-state review) to guide psychologists in navigating the regulations and provisions in their state.
Telepsychology 50 state review (PDF, 1.01MB)
APA telepsychology guidelines
At its late July 2013 meeting, the APA Council of Representatives approved new Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology. A Joint Task Force on the Development of Telepsychology Guidelines for Psychologists, comprised of members representing APA, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and the American Psychological Association Insurance Trust (APAIT), was formed in 2011 to create guidelines for the practice of telepsychology.
The new telepsychology guidelines (PDF, 113KB) are available on the APA Practice Organization’s Practice Central website.
If you have any questions, please contact the APA Office of Legal & Regulatory affairs or call (202) 336-5886.