Agency Mission

The mission of the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB), in accordance with the intent of the Kansas Legislature, is to protect and serve the consumers of services offered by BSRB licensees, through the issuance of licenses, resolution of complaints and the creation of appropriate regulations, accomplished through efficiency, fairness and respect to all those involved.

Agency History

The Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board was established in 1980 to license and regulate psychologists and social workers in Kansas. It took over the responsibilities of the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the Board of Social Work Examiners. Those responsibilities have increased over the years, to include the following seven licensed professions:

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Professional Counseling
• Master's Level Psychology/Clinical Psychotherapy
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Addiction Counseling
• Behavior Analysts

Statutory History

The 1980 session Laws of Kansas, Chapter 242, for the purpose of certifying psychologists (changed to licensing in 1986) and licensing social workers created the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory board. The Board of Psychology Examiners and the Board of Social Work Examiners formerly regulated these two professional groups, respectively. The Legislative action to sunset each board as of July 1, 1980, occurred under the provisions of K.S.A. 74-7502 -K.S.A. 74-7505. Fee monies contained in the accounts of the former boards were transferred to the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board fee fund, pursuant to K.S.A. 74-7505.

The board's jurisdiction was expanded to include the registration of professional counselors and masters level psychologists by the 1987 Session Laws of Kansas, Chapter 315 and 306 respectively, amended by L. 1988, Ch.263, Ch.245, and Ch.304; and to include the registration of marriage and family therapists; and by the 1992 Legislature, (L.1992, Ch.184) to include the registration of alcohol and other drug abuse counselors.

The 1996 Legislation Session significantly amended the statutes governing the registration of professional counselors, master's level psychologists and marriage and family therapists. These credentialed groups, effective January 1, 1997, converted from "registration" to "licensure." The legislation also amended the requirements for credentialing in each of the following areas: Education, experience and examination. The Board was increased in size from seven members to eleven members by adding one member from each of the three new licensure groups and adding two public members.

The Governor makes all board appointments for staggered four-year terms.

The 1999 Legislature (Ch.117 in the 1999 Session Laws of Kansas) created three new clinical levels of licensure for the master level psychologists, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors, effective July 1, 2000. These new clinical level practitioners are given the right to diagnose and treat mental disorders in independent practice.

The 2007 Legislature (Ch.13 in the 2007 Session Laws of Kansas) created a temporary out of state permit for professionals to work in Kansas for 15 days and a one-time renewal of that permit which allows a total of 30 days annually.

The 2010 Legislature created two new professions, the licensed addiction counselor and the licensed clinical addiction counselor, effective July 1, 2011. The 2010 Legislature (updated in L.2011, Ch. 114, sec. 12 of Session Laws of Kansas) passed the Licensed Addictions Counselors Act with HB2577 and then modified it with Sub HB2182 in the 2011 Legislature.

The 2014 Legislature (Ch. 62 in the 2014 Session Laws of Kansas) passed the Applied Behavior Analysis Act, which established a new category of licensure for behavioral analysts and changed rules relating to insurance coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The Board began licensing behavioral analysts on July 1, 2016.