Section 43-39-7. Practicing without a license; use of title; exceptions

   A person who is not licensed under this chapter shall not practice psychology, shall not use the title "psychologist," and shall not imply that he or she is a psychologist. If any person shall practice psychology or hold himself or herself out as being engaged in the practice of psychology and shall not then possess in full force a valid license to practice psychology under the laws of this state, such person shall be in violation of this chapter. The following are exceptions:

   (1) Nothing in this chapter shall require licensure for a person who is certified as a school psychologist by the Professional Standards Commission while that person is working as an employee in an educational institution recognized by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as meeting satisfactory accreditation standards, provided that no fees are charged directly to clients or through a third party;

   (2) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the teaching of psychology or the conduct of psychological research, provided that such teaching or research does not involve the delivery or supervision of direct psychological services to individuals or groups of individuals by an unlicensed person. Any person holding a doctoral degree in psychology while working as an employee in a research laboratory, college, or university recognized by the board as meeting satisfactory accreditation standards may use the title "psychologist" in conjunction with activities permitted by this paragraph, provided that no fees are charged directly to clients or through a third party;

   (3) Nothing in this chapter shall require licensure for a person who was engaged in the practice of psychology as an employee of an agency or department of the state government, any of its political subdivisions, or community service boards as defined in Code Section 37-2-2 either prior to July 1, 1996, at a state intermediate care or skilled care facility for persons with mental retardation or prior to July 1, 1997, at any other facilities or offices of the entities previously mentioned, but only when that person is engaged in that practice as an employee of such entities;

   (4) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the activities and services of a person in the employ of or serving for an established and recognized religious organization, provided that the title "psychologist" is not used by a person not licensed and that the person does not imply that he or she is a psychologist;

   (5) Persons who hold a doctoral degree in psychology may practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in order to obtain the experience required for licensure;

   (6) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any person from engaging in the lawful practice of medicine, nursing, professional counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy, as provided for under other state law, provided that such person shall not use the title "psychologist" nor imply that he or she is a psychologist;

   (7) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent students, trainees, or assistants from engaging in activities defined as the practice of psychology, provided such persons are under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed psychologist and the student, trainee, or assistant does not represent himself or herself to be a psychologist. The board shall establish rules and regulations for the supervision of persons exempted under this paragraph; and

   (8) An individual licensed to practice psychology in another jurisdiction may practice psychology in Georgia without applying for a license, so long as the requirements for a license in the other jurisdiction are equal to or exceed the requirements for licensure in Georgia, and the psychologist limits that person's practice in Georgia to no more than 30 days per year, as defined in the rules and regulations of the board.

Ga. L. 1951, p. 408, § 6; Ga. L. 1970, p. 511, § 4; Ga. L. 1986, p. 473, § 1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1147, § 1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 355, § 2; Ga. L. 1993, p. 418, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 224, § 2; Ga. L. 1999, p. 81, § 43.