What's happening
This bill requires New York psychologists to complete continuing education in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and expands approved course providers.
Why it matters
Mandates that psychologists complete at least three hours of continuing education specifically focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). ensuring that all licensed professionals regularly update their understanding and skills in these key areas, which could impact how they serve increasingly diverse populations.
Expands the range of organizations that can offer approved continuing education courses. potentially increasing access, variety, and flexibility in fulfilling these requirements, and allowing psychologists to choose from a broader selection of course providers beyond those affiliated with the American Psychological Association.
Explicitly integrates DEI training into professional standards. which may lead to more culturally competent care and could help address disparities in mental health services experienced by underrepresented or marginalized communities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Psychologist Diversity Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1014
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. BROUK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to continuing education requirements for the profession of psychology
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 7607 of the education law, as added by chapter 436 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
2. During each triennial registration period, an applicant for registration as a psychologist shall complete a minimum of thirty-six hours of acceptable learning activities, a minimum of three hours of which shall be course work in the area of professional ethics, including the laws, rules and regulations for practice in New York, and a minimum of three hours of which shall be in course work in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Any psychologist whose first registration date following the effective date of this section occurs less than three years from such effective date, but on or after January first, two thousand twenty-one, shall complete continuing education hours on a prorated basis at the rate of one hour per month for the period beginning January first, two thousand twenty-one up to the first registration date thereafter. A psychologist who has not satisfied the mandatory continuing education requirement shall not be issued a triennial registration certificate by the department and shall not practice unless and until a conditional registration is issued as provided for in subdivision three of this section. Continuing education hours taken during one triennium may not be transferred to the subsequent triennium.
§ 2. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 7607 of the education law, as added by chapter 436 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01945-01-5
(ii) "formal courses of learning" shall include, but not be limited to, collegiate level credit and non-credit courses, professional development programs and technical sessions offered by national, state, and local professional associations and other organizations acceptable to the department, and any other organized educational and technical programs acceptable to the department. Formal courses must be taken from [a] the American Psychological Association, its divisions, its affiliates, or any sponsor approved by the department, based upon a application and fee, pursuant to the regulations of the commissioner.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to continuing education requirements for the profession of psychology
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require three of the thirty-six hours of continuing education for the profession of psychology in the area of diversity, equity, and inclu- sion; and to automatically include the American Psychological Associ- ation, its divisions, and its affiliates as approved providers.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends paragraph (b) of subdivision (2) of section 7607 of the Education Law to require three of the thirty-six hours of continuing education for the profession of psychology in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Section 2: Amends subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b) of subdivision (3) of section 7607 of the Education Law to consider the American Psycholog- ical Association (APA), its divisions, and its affiliates as approved providers of psychological continuing education without application to SED.
Section 3: Provides an immediate effective date.
Justification
New York's continuing education requirement became effective on January 1, 2021. Through the regulatory process implementing the requirement, it became clear that the statute needed some modifications. First, the existing statute contains no requirement for education related to diver- sity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A 3-hour requirement for DEI reflects psychologists' desire and to maintain competence and currency in this most critical area. The focus on DEI is very in line with the evolution of the profession's working environment. As the nation and New York continues to become increasingly diverse, continuous professional devel- opment to meet the needs of clients, students and supervises becomes paramount. In passing this legislation, New York would become the newest state (adding to Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas) to require DEI as part of the professional CE for psychology.
Further, the American Psychological Association (APA) is the oldest national psychology association in the world (founded in 1892) and the largest psychology association in the United States (with more than 100,000 members). Aided by an annual budget in excess of $100 million, APA has been the leader and standard for professional psychology since the emergence of the field. Its office of Continuing Education has been in operation for more than 30 years, with a thorough, detailed, grueling application process for any organization or program to be accepted as an APA-approved CE provider. The depth and range of CE programs offered or approved by APA is second to none. Currently, 33 U.S. states automat- ically accept APAapproved sponsors and their programs as valid CE credit-hours providers for license renewal. It would be a great service
to psychologists in New York - and the people they serve - to have APA- approved programs automatically accepted in New York as well.
Prior legislative history
2021: S6882 Referred to Higher Education.
2022: S6882 Passed Senate.
2023: S5518 Passed Senate.
2024: S5518 Returned to Senate; referred to Higher Education.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.