Sec. 3. (a) There is created a board to be known as the "state psychology board". The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor.

(b) Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, four (4) of the board members shall be licensed under this article and shall have had at least five (5) years of experience as a professional psychologist prior to their appointment.

(c) Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, the fifth member shall be appointed to represent the general public, must be a resident of this state, must never have been credentialed in a mental health profession, and must in no way be associated with the profession of psychology other than as a consumer.

(d) All members shall:

(1) if appointed before July 1, 2019, be appointed for a term of three (3) years; and

(2) if appointed after June 30, 2019, be appointed under IC 25-1-6.5.

(e) A member may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4.

(f) Each member of the board is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). Such a member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties, as provided in the state travel policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the state budget agency.

(g) The members of the board shall organize by the election of a chairman and a vice chairman from among its membership. Such officers shall serve for a term of one (1) year. The board shall meet at least once in each calendar year and on such other occasions as it considers necessary and advisable. A meeting of the board may be called by its chairman or by a majority of the members on the board. A quorum of the board consists of a majority of the appointed members. A majority of the quorum may transact business.

(h) The board is empowered to do the following:

(1) Establish reasonable application, examination, and renewal procedures and set fees for licensure under this article. However, no fee collected under this article shall, under any circumstances, be refunded.

(2) Adopt and enforce rules concerning assessment of costs in disciplinary proceedings before the board.

(3) Establish examinations of applicants for licensure under this article and issue, deny, suspend, revoke, and renew licenses.

(4) Subject to IC 25-1-7, investigate and conduct hearings, upon complaint against individuals licensed or not licensed under this article, concerning alleged violation of this article, under procedures conducted in accordance with IC 4-21.5.

(5) Initiate the prosecution and enjoinder of any person violating this article.

(6) Adopt rules which are necessary for the proper performance of its duties, in accordance with IC 4-22-2.

(7) Establish a code of professional conduct.

(i) The board shall adopt rules establishing standards for the competent practice of psychology.

(j) All expenses incurred in the administration of this article shall be paid from the general fund upon appropriation being made in the manner provided by law for the making of such appropriations.

(k) The agency shall do the following:

(1) Carry out the administrative functions of the board.

(2) Provide necessary personnel to carry out the duties of this article.

(3) Receive and account for all fees required under this article.

(4) Deposit fees collected with the treasurer of state for deposit in the state general fund.

(l) This section may not be interpreted to prevent a licensed or certified health care professional from practicing within the scope of the health care professional's:

(1) license or certification; and

(2) training or credentials.

Formerly: Acts 1969, c.416, s.3. As amended by Acts 1976, P.L.119, SEC.26; Acts 1977, P.L.172, SEC.49; Acts 1979, P.L.17, SEC.50; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.244; P.L.249-1985, SEC.2; P.L.149-1987, SEC.95; P.L.140-1993, SEC.9; P.L.184-1997, SEC.3; P.L.1-2005, SEC.196; P.L.246-2005, SEC.211; P.L.1-2006, SEC.478; P.L.197-2007, SEC.88; P.L.249-2019, SEC.126.