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Uniform Standards Related to Substance Abuse and Disciplinary Guidelines Regulation Advisory

In order to implement a 2008 legislation from Senate Bill (SB) 1441 (Ridley-Thomas, Chapter 548), which was designated to protect the public by monitoring psychologists (and other healing arts professionals) impaired by drug or alcohol abuse, the Board of Psychology (Board) promulgated regulations which will be effective January 1, 2017.

Current requirements state that in reaching a decision on a disciplinary action under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Board of Psychology shall consider disciplinary guidelines entitled “Disciplinary Guidelines (Amended 2/07).”

Effective January 1, 2017, the Board shall consider the revised disciplinary guidelines entitled “Disciplinary Guidelines and Uniform Standards Related to Substance Abusing Licensees (4/15), which have been incorporated into section 1397.12 (renumbered to 1395.2) of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations. The new language includes guidelines to be followed when considering discipline against a substance abusing licensee and also restructures existing guidelines for clarity when considering possible discipline in licensing actions.

To access the Disciplinary Guidelines and Uniform Standards Related to Substance Abusing Licensees, click here

For additional information, the regulatory documents can be found on our website here.