Mission
The mission of the Oregon Board of Psychology is to promote, preserve, and protect the public health and welfare by ensuring the ethical and legal practice of psychology.
Our Core Values:
- Transparancy
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Compassion
- Mission and Core Values adopted November 2009
Organization
The Oregon Board of Psychology (OBOP) was created for the purpose of examining and licensing all persons in Oregon who engage in the practice of psychology. The Board is also charged with safeguarding the people of the State of Oregon from the dangers of unqualified and improper practice of psychology.
Practicing psychology means rendering or offering to render supervision, consultation, evaluation or therapy services to individuals, groups or organizations for the purpose of diagnosing or treating behavioral, emotional or mental disorders.
It is unlawful to practice psychology or represent oneself as a psychologist without first being properly licensed by the OBOP. To "represent oneself as a psychologist" means to use any terminology, title or description of services incorporating the words "psychology," "psychological," "psychotherapy," or "psychologist," or to offer or render to individuals or to groups of individuals services included in the practice of psychology.
The Board consists of nine members: six are licensed psychologists and three members are from the general public, not associated with the profession. All members are appointed by the Governor to three-year terms and confirmed by the Senate. The Board hires staff to administer all official business. The Board meets approximately every five to six weeks, usually at its offices in Salem. The Board is funded solely from licensing fees and other miscellaneous revenues such as publication sales and civil penalties. Decisions are made in open public meetings where guests are encouraged to attend.
Programs
The Board carries out its mission through three major programs areas: Examination of Applicants; Licensure and Continuing Education; and Consumer Protection. Through the examination of applicants, the Board accomplishes its legislative mandate to establish standards of service and training and educational qualifications for the rendering of ethical psychological services in Oregon. Because the Board believes that regular continuing education ensures the highest quality of professional services to the public, the Board requires that all licensed Psychologists and Psychologist Associates complete 40 hours of continuing education, with a minimum of four in professional ethics and four in cultural competency training. The Board protects consumers by promptly investigating all complaints made concerning either the unethical or unlicensed practice of psychology in Oregon.