Contact :
Amy Safford, Executive Director Maine Psychological Association
Asafford@mepa.org
207-621-0732
For Immediate Release
New Maine Law Allows Psychologists to Provide Telehealth, and Temporary In-Person Services to Out-of-State Clients
Maine Joins 25 States in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).
Saco, Maine (July 23, 2021) – Maine has enacted legislation to allow Maine psychologists to provide services to clients while they are out-of-state. Governor Janet Mills signed ME HB 631 into law on June 22, which becomes effective on September 21, 2021.
The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), is an agreement between participating states allowing licensed psychologists to provide services to patients in other compact states via telehealth or temporary practice for either remote or in-person appointments. The compact includes 25 other states.
“If a patient moves to another state, but already has an established trust and rapport with their therapist, they may prefer to continue their sessions virtually rather than start over again with a new provider,” says Thomas Cooper, PsyD, Maine Psychological Association President.
The legislation also allows psychologists to provide short-term in-person services to patients for up to 30 days in any of the compact states. In addition, residents in Maine can now take advantage of specialty psychologists in other states that may not be available in Maine.
“The legislation requires that psychologists meet acceptable standards of practice and provides better consumer protection across state lines,” says Cooper. “Joining PSYPACT not only increases patient access to care but improves continuity of care when they relocate or travel.”
Maine psychologists must possess an active “E.Passport” issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to provide telehealth services or possess an active Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC) from the ASPPB to provide in-person services under the compact.
The Maine Psychological Association (MePA) is a membership organization whose purpose is to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health and human welfare. Founded in 1950, MePA has a long history of principled leadership in Maine.
