Section 4732.01 | Psychologist definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(A) "Psychologist" means any person who holds self out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "psychologic," "psychological," "psychologist," "psychology," or any other terms that imply the person is trained, experienced, or an expert in the field of psychology.
(B) "The practice of psychology" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public any service involving the application of psychological procedures to assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or amelioration of psychological problems or emotional or mental disorders of individuals or groups; or to the assessment or improvement of psychological adjustment or functioning of individuals or groups, whether or not there is a diagnosable pre-existing psychological problem. Practice of psychology includes the practice of independent school psychology and the practice of school psychology. For purposes of this chapter, teaching or research shall not be regarded as the practice of psychology, even when dealing with psychological subject matter, provided it does not otherwise involve the professional practice of psychology in which an individual's welfare is directly affected by the application of psychological procedures.
(C) "Psychological procedures" include but are not restricted to application of principles, methods, or procedures of understanding, predicting, or influencing behavior, such as the principles pertaining to learning, conditioning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions, or interpersonal relationships; the methods or procedures of verbal interaction, interviewing, counseling, behavior modification, environmental manipulation, group process, psychological psychotherapy, or hypnosis; and the methods or procedures of administering or interpreting tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotions, or motivation.
(D)(1) "School psychologist" means any person who, within the scope of employment as described in division (D)(2) of this section, holds self out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "school psychologist" or "school psychology," or who holds self out to be trained, experienced, or an expert in the practice of school psychology.
(2) A school psychologist is limited in employment for the purposes of practicing school psychology to the following:
(a) By a board of education or by a private school meeting the standards prescribed by the state board of education under division (D) of section 3301.07 of the Revised Code;
(b) In a program for children with disabilities established under Chapter 3323. or 5126. of the Revised Code.
(E) "Independent school psychologist" means any person who, outside of the scope of employment as described in division (D)(2) of this section, holds self out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "independent school psychologist" or "independent school psychology," or who holds self out to be trained, experienced, or an expert in the practice of independent school psychology.
(F) "Practice of school psychology" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public any of the following services:
(1) Evaluation, diagnosis, or test interpretation limited to assessment of intellectual ability, learning patterns, achievement, motivation, behavior, or personality factors directly related to learning problems;
(2) Intervention services, including counseling, for children or adults for amelioration or prevention of educationally related learning problems, including emotional and behavioral aspects of such problems;
(3) Psychological, educational, or vocational consultation or direct educational services. This does not include industrial consultation or counseling services to clients undergoing vocational rehabilitation.
(G) "Practice of independent school psychology" means the practice of school psychology outside of the scope of employment as described in division (D)(2) of this section.
(H) "Licensed psychologist" means an individual holding a current, valid license to practice psychology issued under section 4732.12 or 4732.15 of the Revised Code.
(I) "Licensed school psychologist" means an individual holding a current, valid license to practice school psychology issued under section 4732.12 or 4732.15 of the Revised Code.
(J) "Licensed independent school psychologist" means an individual holding a current, valid license to practice independent school psychology issued under section 4732.12 or 4732.15 of the Revised Code.
(K) "Mental health professional" and "mental health service" have the same meanings as in section 2305.51 of the Revised Code.
(L) "Telepsychology" means the practice of psychology, independent school psychology, or school psychology by distance communication technology, including telephone, electronic mail, internet-based communications, and video conferencing.
Last updated March 22, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- March 20, 2014 – House Bill 83 - 130th General Assembly [ View March 20, 2014 Version ]
- April 6, 2023 – Amended by House Bill 509 - 134th General Assembly [ View April 6, 2023 Version ]
- August 14, 2024 – Amended by House Bill 250 - 135th General Assembly [ View August 14, 2024 Version ]