March 22, 2020
Pennsylvania Suspends Certain Licensure Requirements for State Board of Psychology, and State Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Professional Counselors
In order to increase the number of health-care practitioners available to respond to the COVID- 19 emergency, Governor Wolf has granted the Department of State’s request to suspend some licensing requirements related to psychology; social work, marriage and family therapy and professional counselors.
State Board of Psychology:
The governor approved a suspension of the requirement that supervisors meet individually face- to-face with psychology residents for an average supervisory total of at least 2 hours per week.
These hours may be completed through electronic means, preferably on a HIPAA-compliant platform, but if that is not possible, then by online methods such as Skype or Facetime.
State Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counselors:
The Governor approved a suspension of the requirements of the State Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counselors that the supervisor, or one to whom supervisory responsibilities have been delegated, must meet with the supervisee for a minimum of 2 hours for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. Previously, the requirement was that at least 1 of the 2 hours be with the supervisee individually and in person, and 1 of the 2 hours with the supervisee in a group setting and in person.
These hours now may be completed through electronic means, preferably on a HIPAA-compliant platform, but if that is not available, then by online methods such as Skype or Facetime.
