New Licensing Requirements for 2023

On August 27, 2022, Maryland Psychologists who are due to renew by March 31, 2023 ("odd renewal cycle); received an email from the Board of Examiners about new licensing requirements that will need to be met.

There are two (2) new requirements:

• Implicit Bias Course
• Background Checks including fingerprinting. 

Please note that the Board of Examiners did not initiate these requirements, they are regulations made at the state level for multiple professional licensing boards. However, as the Board of Examiners oversees licensure renewal, they are the key contact for information about these changes. Please see their website, as they have posted the letter that was originally sent out by email, click here to view this information online. If you have any further questions, the Board of Examiners recommends that you contact them at [email protected] or 410-764-4787.

Questions about the Implicit Bias Course Requirement

Why do I need this?

Senate Bill 5/House Bill 28 was passed on April 1, 2022. This requires all Health Occupation license holders (which psychologists fall under) to take this one-time course requirement.

From this point forward, all new psychologists will have to take this course to obtain their license. In order to have all licensed psychologists in compliance, for the upcoming 2023 and 2024 renewal cycles this course is required as a part of licensure renewal.  You will not be able to renew your license if you do not complete this requirement. 

Who can I get this course from? 

The following organizations and their approved CE sponsors are authorized sponsors of continuing education acceptable to the Board:

A. American Psychological Association (APA)

B. Association for Psychological Science;

C. American Medical Association;

D. National Association of Social Workers;

E. National Association of School Psychologists;

F. Maryland Department of Health (MDH);

G. National Institutes of Health; and

H. Accredited academic institutions

MPA is an approved co-sponsor of APA. So our upcoming implicit bias CE workshop will qualify. When registration for this CE is available, we will post it here and share the information widely with MPA members.

What about the list of courses on the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparity website?

The Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities is responsible for this Implicit Bias course requirement for all health occupant license holders. Any course listed on their website meets the criteria.

If you have questions about if a course would count, that is not listed on their website or sponsored by one of the organizations listed above, please contact the Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities via email ([email protected]) or phone at (410) 767-7117. 

What do I need to give to the Board of Examiners to show I have taken a course?

On the renewal Application, include the name of the training. There is no need to submit a copy of the CE certificate

Does this count towards my 40 CE total?

No. The implicit bias training is a one-time requirement for all health care practitioners in Maryland. So, it is not part of the Board of Examiners of Psychologists requirements of 40 CEs. Rather, it is a new requirement that must be completed in addition to and separate from the board's existing requirements. 

Can this count for my diversity requirements?

No. This is an additional requirement. You will need to have at least three (3) diversity CE credits from another course(s). 

This reasoning is similar to the other required CEs. If you took a course that could qualify for ethics or diversity, you can only have it count towards your ethics requirement OR your diversity requirement. The same course can not be used for both.

 What if I take two (or more) implicit bias courses during a renewal cycle?

You would be able to claim one for the implicit bias training requirement and not as part of the 40 CE total. But the second one you could use toward the diversity requirement as well as the 40 CEs total needed. 

How many CE credits are needed?

The law does not specify. 

Background Check/Fingerprinting

Why do I need to do this?

Starting in 2010, background checks and fingerprinting were required for all new licensure applicants. In 2017, HB912 was passed. This required the Board of Examiners to create and implement a procedure to require all currently licensed psychologists to have a background check within a certain time period to maintain their license and every 6 years after that. 

Besides getting fingerprinting, is there anything else I need for the background check?

As long as you have filled out the following information on the application the board will get it automatically from CJIS

CJIS Authorization #: 1000002835

 FBI ORI #: 920502Z

What is the deadline to get fingerprinted?

The Board of Examiners suggests that you should get fingerprinted by January 16^th. This is because your fingerprints and background check must be received by the Board of Examiners before you can renew your license. That process typically takes 2-3 weeks but may be longer as more people submit for the necessary check for licensure.  

How can I tell if the Board has received my fingerprints?

You can contact CJIS to check on the status of the background history. Their phone number is 410-764-4501 and they are open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

If I don’t renew until March 2024 can I get fingerprinted now?

The Board of Examiners says to wait as the system may be different next year. Those due to renew in 2024 will get more information likely in summer 2023.

How often will I need to do this?

Currently every six years.  However, Maryland will soon have a system in place that allows fingerprinting for all professional license holders to be stored in one easily accessible place. Once that has been established, it is likely that fingerprinting will only be a one-time occurrence. 

 I live out of state, do I have to get fingerprinted in MD?

Contact the Board of Examiners office at [email protected] or 410-764-4787 to get a special card for the background check. Once you have initiated contact with the Board they will guide you on the next steps. 

Where can I get fingerprinted?

A list of locations in Maryland is available here: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml 

Can I use a background check done previously for another state/agency?

No, you must complete a new one using the Board’s Authorization numbers

General Renewal Questions

How many home study CEs can I have?

For this renewal cycle (April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2023), all CEs may be obtained through independent study (home study) as long as they are by an approved sponsor. 

Please note that this an accommodation due to COVID-19 and it is unclear at this time if this criterion will be the same for those renewing in "even years" (i.e. March 31, 2024) 

Why did I not receive the email when I am due to renew in 2023?

It could be due to the Board having an old email on file or the email being sent to a junk/spam folder.  If you didn’t get the message, contact the Board of Examiners to see what email is on file. 

Also, if you are set to renew in 2024, emails were not sent out this group.

When can I submit for renewal?

Renewal opens on January 5, 2023.

What are the required CEs?

During every renewal period all psychologists and psychology associates need:

• Three (3) continuing education credits on laws, ethics and professional conduct or managing risk associated with the practice of psychology. 
• Three (3) continuing education credits designed to enhance competence in the provision of culturally diverse populations

For those psychologists who supervised psychology associates during the two (2) year reporting period:

• Three (3) continuing education credits designed to enhance competence in clinical supervision

As outlined above, there also must be one course that meets the criteria for Implicit Bias. Every psychologist renewing their license in 2023 and 2024 will need to have this course completed, or else they will be unable to renew their license. This is required only once.

(Last Updated 3/13/2023)