VPA Advocacy

VPA is actively lobbying the Vermont legislature for passage of the pending legislation for prescriptive authority for doctorate-level psychologists.  Under the RxP bill pending, the only psychologists who would have authority to prescribe psychotropic medications are doctorate-level psychologists with a post-doctoral master's degree in psychopharmacology. 

Contact your legislator and ask them to support RxP!

The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation takes the position that the training and education required by the RxP legislation is equal to or greater than that required for other prescribers, and that RxP does not present any public safety issues.  In addition, prescribing psychologists would have to consult with either a primary care provider or psychiatrist before making any prescribing decisions.

• 10 - 11 years for bachelor's degree and Ph.D. or Psy.D.
• 1 - 2 years supervised practice for licensing
• 1 - 2 years for post-doctoral master's degree in psychopharmacology
• 1 - 2 years supervised prescription training

     TOTAL: 13 - 17 YEARS OF TRAINING

     PLUS passage of national licensing exam

Certain restrictions apply to the proposed prescribing authority:

• Prescribing only for patients who have a  primary care provider or psychiatrist of record
• Consultations and collaborations with the patient's primary care provider or psychiatrist of record to obtain a concurrence prior to initiating, making changes to, or terminating a medication treatment plan.

Even though the Vermont Medical Society and VAHHS have been vocal in their opposition to RxP, other groups support this important legislation, including the Vermont Association of Naturopathic Physicians and OPR.  An out-of-state proponent has also weighed in on RxP with the Vermont legislature.  You can see that letter below.