What Is a Prescribing Psychologist in Illinois?

 Posted on August 27, 2019 in Psychologist/ Social Worker License Defense

There are many professions in Illinois and across the country that require you to hold a license to practice your trade. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is the governing body that oversees all of the licensing in the state, including the licensing of clinical psychologists and prescribing psychologists. A prescribing psychologist is a licensed clinical psychologist that has been granted permission to prescribe mental health medication in certain circumstances. A clinical psychologist is an individual who holds a doctorate degree, has completed years of supervised experience and an internship to practice in Illinois. A prescribing psychologist has to go through specific schooling and training in order to practice.

The Reason for Prescribing Psychologists

Most people who take medication for mental health issues have gone through the usual process. They see a psychologist on a regular basis for talk therapy, but the psychologist suggests that the addition of medication may help, though they are unable to prescribe it. Most of the time, a person’s primary care physician is who prescribes medication for mental health issues, though they do not have nearly as much training in the specialized field of psychology and mental health disorders. The creation of prescribing psychologists helps to ensure the patient has both the therapy and medication that they need and takes an integrated approach to solving that issue.

Licensing Requirements

To be a prescribing psychologist, you have to meet a certain set of educational and professional requirements. To get a prescribing psychologist license, you must:

• Hold a current clinical psychology license
• Have completed specific coursework in your education concerning human biological and pharmacology
• Complete 14 months of supervised clinical training in various settings and dealing with various types of patients
• Pass a National Certifying Exam
• Hold and maintain a written collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician

Have Questions About Your Psychology License? An Illinois Clinical Psychologist Defense Attorney Can Answer Them

Prescribing psychologists have plenty of rules that they must abide by in order to continue practicing in Illinois. If you break these rules, you could face fines or even possible suspension or revocation of your license to practice. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we can answer any questions you may have about licensing requirements for prescribing physicians, as well as providing you with ample legal defense if you find yourself facing disciplinary action. Call our Illinois clinical psychologist defense lawyers today at 630-310-1267 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1294&ChapAct=225%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B15%2F&ChapterID=24&ChapterName=PROFESSIONS+AND+OCCUPATIONS&ActName=Clinical+Psychologist+Licensing+Act%2E

https://www.apaservices.org/practice/advocacy/authority/prescribing-psychologists