Vermont Becomes the Eighth Jurisdiction to Pave the Way for Licensure of Psychologists for Prescriptive Privileges
The provisions of H.237 took effect on July 1, 2026.
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)® welcomes Vermont as the eighth jurisdiction to join the existing seven jurisdictional boards (Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico), the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the Indian Health Service, using the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)® as part of the requirements that doctoral-level psychologists must meet to qualify for prescription privileges. The provisions of H.237 went into effect on July 1st, 2026.
“This is a momentous achievement for Vermont, as this initiative allows specialized, doctoral-level psychologists, who apply and pass the PEP, to offer combined talk therapy and medication management,” said Mariann Burnetti-Atwell, ASPPB Chief Executive Officer.
Background on H.237
On April 27th, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed H.237 (as passed by the House and Senate), an act that authorizes qualified doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe certain mental health medications. The legislation aims to increase access to mental health care services in the state.
“I support the idea of expanding the scope of doctoral-level psychologist licensing to increase access to care. Mental health, like physical health, is an area where the need outpaces the number of qualified providers available. So, we must try creative approaches to address the issues of access and cost Vermonters face in our current health care system,” wrote Governor Scott in a letter to the General Assembly. Governor Scott urged the Board of Psychological Examiners to consult closely with the Department of Mental Health regarding rulemaking.
Key Aspects of H.237:
- Requirements for Prescribing Psychologists: To obtain a prescribing specialty, psychologists must hold a doctoral degree, complete specialized postdoctoral training in psychopharmacology, perform supervised clinical rotations in medical settings, and pass a national certifying exam.
- Collaboration Requirement: A written collaborative agreement with a physician specializing in psychiatry is required, ensuring supervision and accountability.
- Prescriptive Authority Limits: The authority is restricted to medication for treating mental health conditions (as defined by the DSM). It explicitly excludes prescribing for patients under 18, over 80, or pregnant. Additionally, the administration of drugs by injection is not permitted.
- Implementation Timeline: The regulations regarding the board’s powers for this specialty take effect on July 1, 2026, with other sections becoming effective on July 1, 2029.
- Sunset Report: The law mandates a report by November 15, 2032, to evaluate the implementation and impact on patient care.
PEP Basics
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)® administers the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)® on behalf of jurisdictional boards that offer licensure of psychologists for prescription privileges. The PEP was originally developed by the American Psychological Association (APA), Practice Organization, College of Professional Psychology. In 2017, ownership and management of the exam were transferred to ASPPB. The PEP measures the foundational knowledge psychologists need to administer medications safely and effectively in their practice. In keeping with testing-industry standards, ASPPB develops and maintains the PEP to keep pace with advances in the use of psychotropic medications.