Board of Psychology and Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Senator Ashby's comprehensive healing arts legislation extends the operational authority of California's psychology and behavioral sciences boards through 2030 while modernizing requirements for mental health professionals' education, supervision, and practice standards.

The bill strengthens public protection by expanding mandatory training in areas like human sexuality, abuse reporting, and suicide prevention. Research psychoanalysts must now complete coursework in substance abuse, aging, and ethics, while psychological testing technicians gain broader qualification pathways including neuroscience and behavioral science degrees.

For out-of-state practitioners, the legislation creates a structured 30-day allowance to continue treating existing clients who relocate to California, provided they meet specific requirements including registration with state boards. The bill also updates supervision standards, requiring regular direct contact between supervisors and trainees through in-person or video meetings, with documented assessments of remote supervision appropriateness.

The measure revises disciplinary procedures, clarifying grounds for license suspension during criminal proceedings and establishing a formal process for reinstating revoked licenses. It introduces new fees for administrative functions like supervisor changes and updates continuing education requirements to ensure practitioners maintain current knowledge in their fields.

To enhance transparency and oversight, the legislation mandates that boards report license revocations to the National Practitioner Data Bank and requires practitioners to maintain detailed records of their education, supervision, and clinical work. The boards remain subject to legislative review even after their extended sunset dates.