Nevada Psychology Licenses – Grounds for discipline and unauthorized practice

Psychologists who violate the Nevada Psychology Board’s rules and regulations face fines, public reprimand, and even license loss. Plus anyone who practices psychology without a current and valid license from the Psych Board can be prosecuted for a gross misdemeanor and jailed for up to 364 days.

Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from getting licensed as a psychologist in Nevada. However, the Psych Board can deny you a license for lacking a “good moral character” – which a past criminal record can indicate.²

1. having a felony conviction related to the practice of psychology;
2. having a conviction for any crime that reflects an inability to practice psychology;
3. having a conviction for submitting a false claim to a patient’s insurer;
4. having a conviction for abuse or fraud in connection with any state or federal program which provides medical assistance;
5. having a conviction for violating NRS 616D.200, 616D.220, 616D.240 or 616D.300 to 616D.440, inclusive;
6. engaging in gross malpractice, repeated malpractice, or gross negligence;
7. aiding or abetting an unlicensed psychologist;
8. lying to the Psych Board;
9. violating a Psych Board rule;
10. violating (or attempting to violate) any part of NRS 641;
11. engaging in sexual activity with a patient;
12. practicing psychology while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or a mental or physical illness, disorder, or disease;
13. failing to tell the Psych Board within 30 days of being disciplined by another jurisdiction’s psychology board;
14. operating a medical facility while a) its license was suspended or revoked or b) an act or omission occurred which resulted in its license being suspended or revoked; and/or
15. getting a license suspension or revocation by another jurisdiction’s psychology board for one of the above grounds.³

If someone submits a complaint about you to the Nevada Psych Board, it will first determine whether it is frivolous or not. If not, it will then notify you and conduct an investigation that may involve:

• interviewing witnesses and/or
• subpoenaing medical records.

Ultimately the Psych Board investigator will write a report outlining their findings and recommendations. If discipline is recommended, you are entitled to a hearing where an attorney may represent you.⁴

If the Nevada Psych Board finds by a preponderance of the evidence that you are guilty in a disciplinary proceeding, you may face one or more of the following:

1. a public reprimand;
2. limitations to your practice;
3. probation with conditions;
4. a license suspension for up to one year;
5. revocation of your license;
6. a fine of up to $5,000;
7. payment for restitution and/or remediation; or
8. counseling or treatment.⁵

Yes. Practicing as a psychologist without a current and valid license from the Nevada Psych Board is a gross misdemeanor, carrying:

• up to 364 days in jail, and/or
• up to $2,000 in fines.⁶