(a) License to Practice Psychology. The Arkansas Psychology Board shall be the sole agency empowered to examine candidates concerning competence in the practice of psychology and to grant license for the practice of psychology at the appropriate level. The license shall be signed by the Chair of the Arkansas Psychology Board and attested by the Secretary of the Arkansas Psychology Board under the seal of the board, whereupon a proper license shall be issued in accordance with this chapter.

(b) Provisional License. (1) The board shall issue a provisional license to an applicant who has:

(A) Passed the examinations prescribed by the board;

(B) Satisfied the preliminary requirements of §§ 17-97-302 and 17-97-303; and

(C) Paid the fee for a provisional license.

(2) A provisional license holder is entitled to practice psychology under the supervision of a psychologist to meet the requirements for issuance of a license under this section.

(3) The board shall adopt rules that apply to provisional license holders identifying:

(A) The activities that holders may engage in; and

(B) Services that may be provided by holders.

(4) The board may refuse to renew the provisional license of a person who does not meet the requirements prescribed by § 17-97-303.

(c) Provisional License Application. (1) An applicant for examination for a provisional license shall:

(A) Apply on forms prescribed by the board; and

(B) Submit the required fees with the application.

(2) The board may require that the applicant verify the application.

(d) Provisional License Examination Qualifications. (1) An applicant may take an examination for a provisional license if the applicant:

(A) Has received:

(i) A doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited educational institution; or

(ii) A doctoral degree in psychology or the substantial equivalent of a doctoral degree in psychology in both subject matter and extent of training from a regionally accredited educational institution;

(B) Has attained the age of majority;

(C) Has good moral character;

(D) Is physically and mentally competent to provide psychological services with reasonable skill and safety, as determined by the board;

(E) Is not afflicted with a mental or physical disease or condition that would impair the applicant's competency to provide psychological services;

(F) Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony;

(G) Does not use drugs or alcohol to an extent that affects the applicant's professional competency;

(H) Has not engaged in fraud or deceit in making the application; and

(I) Has not:

(i) Aided or abetted the practice of psychology by a person not licensed under this chapter in representing that the person is licensed under this chapter;

(ii) Represented that the applicant is licensed under this chapter to practice psychology when the applicant is not licensed; or

(iii) Practiced psychology in this state without a license under this chapter or without being exempt under this chapter.

(2) In determining under § 17-97-302(b)(1)(B) whether a degree is substantially equivalent to a doctoral degree in psychology, the board shall consider whether at the time the degree was conferred the doctoral program met the prevailing standards for training in the area of psychology, including standards for training the clinical, school, and industrial counseling.