Psychologists: suicide prevention training.

Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, provides for the licensing and regulation of psychologists and requires a person applying for licensure as a psychologist to have completed specified coursework or training. Existing law also requires licensed psychologists to participate in continuing professional development as a prerequisite for renewing their licenses. Existing law requires a person applying for relicensure or for reinstatement to an active license status to certify under penalty of perjury that he or she has fulfilled the continuing professional development requirements. Existing law defines "continuing professional development" as certain continuing education learning activities and provides requirements for continuing education courses approved to meet the continuing professional development requirements. This bill, effective January 1, 2020, would require an applicant for licensure as a psychologist to complete a minimum of 6 hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention. The bill would also require, effective January 1, 2020, as a one-time requirement, a licensed psychologist to have completed this suicide risk assessment and intervention training requirement prior to the time of his or her first renewal. The bill would also require, effective January 1, 2020, a person applying for reactivation or for reinstatement to have completed this suicide risk assessment and intervention training requirement. The bill would require that proof of compliance with this provision be certified under penalty of perjury that he or she is in compliance with this provision and be retained for submission to the board upon request. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.