What's happening
This bill establishes licensing requirements and regulations for the practice of neurofeedback therapy in New York State.
Why it matters
Sets clear standards for who can practice neurofeedback therapy,. including education (at least a master's degree for therapists, bachelor's for technicians), specific training hours, and supervised clinical experience. This means only qualified individuals will be able to provide neurofeedback services, aiming to protect consumers from unqualified practitioners.
Establishes a state board of neurofeedback therapy. to oversee licensing and professional conduct, with most members required to be licensed neurofeedback therapists and one physician. This creates a specialized regulatory body, rather than relying on existing boards for other professions, ensuring oversight is tailored to neurofeedback’s unique characteristics.
Provides exemptions for certain professionals and trainees,. allowing licensed healthcare practitioners, students, interns, and supervised paraprofessionals to continue practicing neurofeedback therapy without the new license. This maintains flexibility and continuity of care within existing healthcare and educational structures.
Includes a “grandfathering” provision. for current practitioners, giving them one year to obtain the new license or a limited permit, and recognizing national certification as a pathway to licensure. This helps ensure experienced practitioners aren’t excluded and allows a transition period for compliance.
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Who cares
Neurofeedback practitioners
Practitioners not otherwise exempt would have to apply for a license within one year of the law’s effective date, and only licensed or authorized individuals could use the title “neurofeedback therapist.”
Prospective neurofeedback therapists and technicians
The bill would establish education, clinical training, examination and fee requirements, with technicians required to work under a licensed neurofeedback therapist’s direction.
Licensed health care professionals, students and supervised paraprofessionals
The bill would preserve practice exemptions for qualified licensed professionals, students or interns in health care educational programs, and qualified paraprofessionals under qualified licensed supervision.
Board of Regents and State Education Department
The bill would create a seven-member neurofeedback therapy board to assist the Regents on licensing and conduct, while the department would handle applications, fees and limited permits.
Headline styles
License Neurofeedback Therapists
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4020
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CROUCH, MAGEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of neurofeedback therapy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new article 139-A to read as follows:
ARTICLE 139-A
NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY PRACTICES Section 6920. Definition of practice of neurofeedback therapy.
6921. Authorized practice.
6922. State board of neurofeedback therapy.
6923. Requirements for a license.
6924. Limited permits.
6925. Exempt persons.
6926. Special provisions.
6927. Practice restrictions.
§ 6920. Definition of practice of neurofeedback therapy. The practice of neurofeedback therapy is the use of sensitive instruments to measure electrophysiological processes with the purpose of reporting results to the person being measured to assist such person in controlling these processes. This can be a way to learn stress management and relaxation to prevent stress related disorders, or to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of many syndromes. In addition to teaching self-regulation by the use of such instruments, other methods promoting health and coping skills taught by the neurofeedback therapist include, but are not limited to, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive relaxation, autogenic training, imagery, psychophysiological therapy and cognitive restructuring.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08690-01-7
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§ 6921. Authorized practice. Only a person licensed or authorized pursuant to this article to practice neurofeedback shall use the title "neurofeedback therapist".
§ 6922. State board of neurofeedback therapy. 1. The state board of neurofeedback therapy shall be appointed by the board of regents on recommendation of the commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents on matters of licensing and conduct. The state board of neurofeedback therapy shall be composed of seven members. Initial appointments to the state board of neurofeedback therapy shall be such that the terms shall be staggered. No member shall serve more than two terms.
2. Six members so appointed shall be persons licensed or exempt pursuant to this article, and one member so appointed shall be an individual licensed in this state as a physician who is practicing.
§ 6923. Requirements for a license. 1. To qualify for a license as a neurofeedback therapist an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
a. Application: file an application with the department.
b. Education: have at least a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in education or a health care related field satisfactory to the board of regents, plus at least fifty hours of didactic neurofeedback education.
c. Training and supervision: have at least one hundred hours of clinical experience in the practice of neurofeedback therapy under the supervision of a person who, because of education and experience would be eligible for licensure or is licensed as a neurofeedback therapist.
d. Examination: pass a written and practical examination satisfactory to the board of regents.
e. Age: be at least twenty-one years of age.
f. Character: be of good moral character as determined by the board of regents.
g. Fees: pay a fee of two hundred fifty dollars to the department for an initial license, and an annual fee of fifty dollars thereafter.
2. An applicant who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision one of this section, other than education, may be licensed as a neurofeedback technician upon obtaining a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in education, a health care related field, or hold certification from a nationally recognized body satisfactory to the board of regents. Such technician would be required to practice under the direction of a licensed neurofeedback therapist.
§ 6924. Limited permits. The department may issue a limited permit to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure. The fee for each limited permit and each renewal shall be seventy dollars.
§ 6925. Exempt persons. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to prohibit the practice of neurofeedback therapy by qualified health care professionals licensed in this state, or by students or interns in health care educational programs. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to prohibit the practice of neurofeedback therapy by qualified para-professionals who are supervised by licensed health care professionals qualified to practice neurofeedback therapy.
§ 6926. Special provisions. Any person practicing neurofeedback therapy on the effective date of this article, not otherwise exempt, shall apply for a license as a neurofeedback therapist within one year of such date. Pending licensure, such person shall be eligible for a limited permit as provided in section sixty-nine hundred twenty-four of this article. Any person who meets the appropriate requirements and has been
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certified by a national certifying body having standards acceptable to the board of regents shall be granted a license.
§ 6927. Practice restrictions. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to confer the authority to practice medicine by neurofeedback therapists.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.