26 V.S.A. § 3019: Prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists specialty [Effective July 1, 2029]

(a) Prescribing psychologist specialty. A psychologist-doctorate may apply to the Board for a prescribing psychologist specialty. The application shall be made in a manner approved by the Board and include the payment of any required fees.

(b) Specialty by examination. A psychologist-doctorate shall be eligible for the prescribing specialty if the psychologist-doctorate:

(1) holds a current license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in the State;

(2) has successfully completed a postdoctoral training program in psychopharmacology designated by the American Psychological Association or its successor;

(3) has completed clinical rotations over a total of not less than 14 months in not less than five practice settings, to include psychiatry, geriatrics, family or internal medicine, emergency medicine, and neurology;

(4) has completed a national certifying exam, as determined by rule; and

(5) meets all other requirements for obtaining a prescribing psychologist specialty, as determined by rule.

(c) Criteria for prescribing medication.

(1) A written collaborative agreement is required for all prescribing psychologists practicing under a prescribing psychologist specialty issued pursuant to this section.

(2) The issuance of prescriptive authority by a collaborating practitioner to a prescribing psychologist shall only include prescription drugs for the treatment of mental health conditions that the collaborating practitioner generally provides to patients in the normal course of practice.

(3) The collaborating practitioner shall file the collaborative agreement with the Board and notice of any termination of the agreement.

(4) Issuance of prescribing authority for Schedule II–V controlled substances shall identify the specific controlled substance by brand name or generic name. Prescription or administration of a controlled substance by injection shall not be allowed.

(d) Specialty by endorsement. The Director of the Board may, upon payment of any required fee, grant a prescribing specialty without examination if:

(1) the applicant holds active psychologist prescribing authority in another U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction; and

(2) the requirements for psychologist prescribing authority in that jurisdiction are, in the judgment of the Director, substantially equivalent to the requirements of this section.