PsyPact
Thank you to everyone who attended our PSYPACT celebration on Sunday, August 22. While the weather prevented an outdoor event, we were able to maintain a socially distant celebration as we raised a glass to our members and colleagues who made this victory possible. Thanks to your support, we raised over $5,000 for MPA PAC which played a large role in bringing PSYPACT to Maryland by supporting our legislative champions in Annapolis. Congratulations MPA!
Link to the PSYPACT E. Passport (telehealth) application Link to temporary in-person practice through PSYPACT Link to PSYPACT application/practice FAQs
MPA members have been asking questions about the implementation of PSYPACT. Below are answers to frequently asked questions.
As a result of good advocacy work, The PSYPACT Commission recently changed the criteria for the E.Passport. This is a significant change since the E.Passport is required for participation in PSYPACT. The change specifically involves individuals who received their doctorate prior to January 1, 1985. Old language required graduation from an APA accredited program or a program jointly designated by the National Register and ASPPB (essentially programs that were on their way to accreditation). Unfortunately, a number of our more experienced and more senior psychologists graduated in the 1980s at a time when some programs were not yet APA accredited. The proposed changed was to allow psychologists to have graduated from a regionally accredited program prior to some specific date. The PSYPACT Commission did change the criteria for psychologists who graduated with a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited program prior to January 1, 1985. The PSYPACT Commission deemed that an individual who graduated from a regionally accredited program prior to January 1, 1985 and has been continuously licensed is deemed to have met the E.Passport educational requirements.
A question we frequently receive from MPA members is how insurance will treat telehealth services. The following is courtesy of our Director of Professional Affairs Paul Berman.
PSYPACT is a compact enacted into law by participating states that allows the practice of psychological services via tele-communications technologies within compact states by licensed psychologists. PSYPACT authorizes both telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state lines in PSYPACT states. PSYPACT allows states to maintain the authority to regulate telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice. MPA actively pursued PSYPACT in Maryland during the 2021 Maryland Legislative Session and won!