It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 5-44-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-44 entitled "Psychologists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-44-9. Qualifications of psychologists. -- An applicant for licensure submits to the board written evidence on forms furnished by acceptable to the division of professional regulation, verified under oath, that the applicant:

(1) Is of good moral character;

(2) Has received a doctorate degree in psychology from a college or university whose program of study for that degree at that time meets or exceeds the stated requirements for approval by the American psychological association, or its equivalent in terms of excellence of education and training, or a doctorate degree in an allied field whose education and training requirements are substantially similar to current American psychological association standards of accreditation for the granting of a doctorate in psychology;

(3) Has had at least two (2) years of experience in this or any other state in the application of principles, methods, and procedures of the science of psychology under the supervision of a psychologist, at least one year of which shall be post-doctoral;

(4) Has passed an examination conducted by the board to determine his or her qualification for licensure as a psychologist, or is applying under the provisions of section 5-44-11;

(5) Has not, within the preceding seven (7) months, failed in an examination given by the board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.