§27-6A-1. Qualified Forensic Evaluator; Qualified Forensic Psychiatrist; Qualified Forensic Psychologist; Definitions and Requirements

WV Code § 27-6A-1 (2019) (N/A)
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(a) For purposes of this article:

(1) A "qualified forensic psychiatrist" is:

(A) A psychiatrist licensed under the laws in this state to practice medicine who has completed post-graduate education in psychiatry in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education; and

(B) Board eligible or board certified in forensic psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or actively enrolled in good standing in a West Virginia training program accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education to make the evaluator eligible for board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in forensic psychiatry or has two years of experience in completing court-ordered forensic criminal evaluations, including having been qualified as an expert witness by a West Virginia circuit court.

(2) A "qualified forensic psychologist" is:

(A) A licensed psychologist licensed under the laws of this state to practice psychology; and

(B) Board eligible or board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology or actively enrolled in good standing in a West Virginia training program approved by the American Board of Forensic Psychology to make the evaluator eligible for board certification in forensic psychology or has at least two years of experience in performing court-ordered forensic criminal evaluations, including having been qualified as an expert witness by a West Virginia circuit court.

(3) A "qualified forensic evaluator" is either a qualified forensic psychiatrist or a qualified forensic psychologist as defined in this section.

(4) "Department" means the Department of Health and Human Resources.

(b) No qualified forensic evaluator may perform a forensic evaluation on an individual under this chapter if the qualified forensic evaluator has been the individual's treating psychologist or psychiatrist within one year prior to any evaluation order.