§ 90-270.136.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Board. - The North Carolina Psychology Board.

(2) Examination. - Any and all examinations that are adopted by the Board and administered to applicants and licensees, including, but not limited to, the national examination, Board-developed examinations, and other examinations that assess the competency and ethics of psychologists and applicants.

(3) Jurisdiction. - Any governmental authority, including, but not limited to, a state, a territory, a commonwealth, a district of the United States, and a country or a local governmental authority thereof, that licenses, certifies, or registers psychologists.

(4) Health services. - Those activities of the practice of psychology that include the delivery of preventive, assessment, or therapeutic intervention services directly to individuals whose growth, adjustment, or functioning is actually impaired or may be at substantial risk of impairment.

(5) Institution of higher education. - A university, a college, a professional school, or another institution of higher learning that:

a. In the United States, is regionally accredited by bodies approved by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or its successor.

b. In Canada, holds a membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

c. In another country, is accredited by the comparable official organization having this authority.

(6) Licensed psychologist. - An individual to whom a license has been issued pursuant to the provisions of this Article, whose license is in force and not suspended or revoked, and whose license permits him or her to engage in the practice of psychology as defined in this Article.

(7) Licensed psychological associate. - An individual to whom a license has been issued pursuant to the provisions of this Article, whose license is in force and not suspended or revoked, and whose license permits him or her to engage in the practice of psychology as defined in this Article.

(7a) Neuropsychological. - Pertaining to the study of brain-behavior relationships, including the diagnosis, including etiology and prognosis, and treatment of the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive effects of cerebral dysfunction through psychological and behavioral techniques and methods.

(8) Practice of psychology. - The observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, or modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior or of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, or mental health. The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to: psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis, including etiology and prognosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological and neuropsychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, and the public. The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered.

(9) Psychologist. - A person represents himself or herself to be a psychologist if that person uses any title or description of services incorporating the words "psychology", "psychological", "psychologic", or "psychologist", states that he or she possesses expert qualification in any area of psychology, or provides or offers to provide services defined as the practice of psychology in this Article. All persons licensed under this Article may present themselves as psychologists, as may those persons who are exempt by G.S. 90-270.138 and those who are qualified applicants under G.S. 90-270.139. (1967, c. 910, s. 2; 1977, c. 670, s. 1; 1979, c. 670, s. 1; 1993, c. 375, s. 1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 569, s. 14; 1999-292, ss. 1, 2; 2020-82, s. 1(a).)