This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0666 - Continuing Education for Licensed Psychologists
L.R. NO.  2162-01
BILL NO.  SB 666
SUBJECT:  Psychologists' License - Professional
TYPE:     Original
DATE:     January 12, 1996



                              FISCAL SUMMARY
                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999
PR Fees                         $0                  $0                $0
State Committee of
Psychologists             ($7,488)            ($5,839)          ($5,950)


Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds               ($7,488)            ($5,839)          ($5,950)

                   ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999
None                            $0                  $0                $0

Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds                   $0                  $0                $0

                    ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS


FUND AFFECTED              FY 1997             FY 1998           FY 1999
Local Government                $0                  $0                $0


                              FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Department of Economic Development-Professional
Registration (DPR) assume the proposed legislation would result in Committee
members dedicating an additional .5 day per quarterly Committee meeting to
review the recommendations of the Credentialing Subcommittee in regard to
applications for continuing education (CE) course approval for a cost of
$800. ($25 per diem for .5 day x 8 members x 4 meetings)

It is assumed the State Committee of Psychologists would utilize a
Credentialing Subcommittee, of at least three members, to review the
applications for continuing education course approval.  It is estimated that
each subcommittee member would dedicate at least one additional day per
quarter, prior to the full Committee meeting, to review the requests for a
cost of $600.  ($50 per diem x 3 members x 4)

DPR is requesting an additional .2 FTE (Licensure Technician I) to process
applications for continuing education course approval, to enter and track CE
credits in the computer licensing system and to process daily correspondence
in regard to continuing education.  As a standard for continuing education,
it is estimated that for every 1,000 licensees, an additional .1 FTE is
necessary.  The State Committee of Psychologists has an estimated 1,800
licensees.

Additionally, DPR assumes the current licensing system for psychologists
would need to be revised so that the continuing education credits could be
accurately recorded and tracked for license renewal.  This would result in a
one-time expense of $2,480.  ($31 per hour x 80 hours)

Due to the negative impact this proposal would have on the State Committee of
Psychologists Fund, it is possible that licensing fees would need to be
increased in the future.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government      FY 1997   FY 1998   FY 1999
                                     (10 Mo.)
PR FEES FUND

Income-Division of
Professional Registration (DPR)
   Transfer from State Committee of
      Psychologists Fund               $7,488    $5,839    $5,950
Total Income - DPR                     $7,488    $5,839    $5,950

PR FEES FUND

Costs-DPR
   Personal Service (.2 FTE)         ($2,760)  ($3,396)  ($3,481)
   Fringe Benefits                      (848)   (1,043)   (1,069)
   Increase in Per Diem to Review
      continuing education
      course approval                 (1,400)   (1,400)   (1,400)
   One-Time MIS costs to revise existing
      licensure program               (2,480)       (0)       (0)
Total Costs - DPR                    ($7,488)  ($5,839)  ($5,950)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT TO
PR FEES FUND                               $0        $0        $0


STATE COMMITTEE OF
PSYCHOLOGISTS FUND

Costs-DPR
   Transfer to PR Fees Fund          ($7,488)  ($5,839)   ($5,950)
Total Costs - DPR                    ($7,488)  ($5,839)   ($5,950)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT TO
STATE COMMITTEE OF
PSYCHOLOGISTS FUND                   ($7,488)  ($5,839)   ($5,950)

FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government      FY 1997   FY 1998    FY 1999
                                     (10 Mo.)

                                            0         0          0

DESCRIPTION
The proposed legislation would require that at the time of license renewal,
psychologists provide proof of the continuing education requirements of at
least forty hours within the two-year period immediately preceding the date
of the application for renewal.  The committee would determine the type and
amount of training or instruction that would qualify as an hour of continuing
education credit.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Economic Development-Professional Registration