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LEGAL ACTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
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The Saeima1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

Psychologist Law

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in the Law

The following terms are used in the Law:

1) psychologist - a person who in conformity with the provisions laid down in this Law has acquired the right to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist;

2) psychologist's certificate - a document issued by the Board for Certification of Psychologists which confirms that a psychologist is entitled to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist independently in a certain field;

3) professional activity of a psychologist - psychological assessment, preparation of the psychological assessment report, counselling, and psychological assistance provided individually, in a group or organisation by using professional knowledge and scientifically justified methods;

4) psychologist-supervisor - a certified psychologist to whom the Board for Certification of Psychologists has granted the right to conduct supervision of a psychologist in the relevant field of professional activity;

5) supervision of a psychologist - systematic cooperation of a psychologist and psychologist-supervisor (individually or in a group) which is based on a contract mutually entered into and the purpose of which is to supervise the professional activity of a psychologist and improve his or her professional understanding and competence in order to ensure the provision of psychological assistance of as high value as possible and readiness of a psychologist to pursue professional activity independently;

6) client - a natural person who receives psychological assistance or consultations of a psychologist, or whose psychological assessment is conducted by a psychologist, or on whom a psychologist prepares a psychological assessment report;

7) customer - a natural or legal person who orders the services of the professional activity of a psychologist;

8) cooperation report - a document which demonstrates cooperation of a psychologist with a client, activities conducted and conclusions made within the framework thereof.

Section 2. Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law is to regulate the professional activity of a psychologist in order to ensure qualitative services of the professional activity of a psychologist.

Section 3. Right to Pursue the Professional Activity of a Psychologist

(1) A person's right to pursue independent professional activity of a psychologist shall be confirmed by a diploma of higher education on the acquisition of an accredited study programme of bachelor's degree and accredited study programme of master's degree in psychology in the amount of at least 200 credit points, moreover, at least one of these programmes shall be a professional study programme, and registration with the Register of Psychologists and psychologist's certificate in a certain field of activity.

(2) A psychologist who has not acquired a psychologist's certificate in a certain field of activity is entitled to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist if his or her education complies with the provisions laid down in Paragraph one of this Section, he or she has entered into the contract with a psychologist-supervisor on the implementation of supervision of a psychologist and is registered with the Register of Psychologists.

(3) Until receipt of a psychologist's certificate, the professional activity of a psychologist shall be pursued under the supervision of a psychologist-supervisor.

Section 4. Fields of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist

Fields of the professional activity of a psychologist shall be as follows:

1) education and school psychology;

2) work and organisational psychology;

3) clinical and health psychology;

4) legal psychology;

5) counselling psychology;

6) military psychology.

Section 5. Register of Psychologists

(1) The Register of Psychologists (hereinafter also - the Register) shall be the State information system the purpose of which is to ensure circulation of the information necessary for the supervision of the professional activity of psychologists. The information on psychologists and psychologists-supervisors shall be included in the Register.

(2) The procedures by which psychologists and psychologists-supervisors are registered, re-registered and excluded from the Register, the types and amount of data to be processed, and also time periods for data storage and procedures for processing thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) The supervisor of the Register shall be the State Education Quality Service. The State Education Quality Service shall ensure public availability of the Register on its website. The State fee shall be paid for the registration of a psychologist.

Section 6. Prohibitions of Pursuing the Professional Activity of a Psychologist

It is prohibited to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist by a person:

1) who fails to comply with the requirements of Section 3 of this Law;

2) whose validity of a psychologist's certificate has been suspended or cancelled and whose professional activity of a psychologist has been suspended or terminated, and also for such person whose professional activity of a psychologist has been suspended or terminated;

3) who has been recognised to be under suspicion or accused in criminal proceedings regarding a criminal offence which is related to violence or threat to use violence, or regarding a criminal offence against person's morality or sexual inviolability;

4) who has been punished for a criminal offence which is related to violence or threat to use violence, or for criminal offence against person's morality or sexual inviolability - regardless of the criminal record having been set aside or extinguished;

5) who has committed a criminal offence which is related to violence or threat to use violence, or criminal offence against person's morality or sexual inviolability, but has been released from serving the sentence;

6) against whom the criminal proceedings for a criminal offence which is related to violence or threat to use violence or for a criminal offence against person's morality or sexual inviolability have been terminated on the grounds other than exoneration;

7) for whom custody has been established.

Chapter II
Certification of Psychologists and Supervision of the Professional Activity Thereof

Section 7. Board for Certification of Psychologists

(1) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall be the body for the evaluation and supervision of the professional activity of psychologists established by the Minister for Education and Science in which five representatives of State authorities and two representatives from the Latvian Association of Psychologists and the Latvian Federation of Associations of Psychologists are included.

(2) The by-laws of the Board for Certification of Psychologists shall be approved by the Cabinet.

(3) The functions of the Secretariat of the Board for Certification of Psychologists shall be ensured by the State Education Quality Service.

(4) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall:

1) approve the by-laws and staff composition of the Commission for Certification of Psychologists;

2) approve the by-laws and staff composition of the Commission for Ethics of Psychologists;

3) approve the Code of Ethics of Psychologists;

4) organise certification, re-certification of psychologists and granting the rights of a psychologist-supervisor;

5) decide on the registration of a psychologist with the Register, suspension, termination and renewal of the professional activity of a psychologist, issue, suspension, cancellation and renewal of a psychologist's certificate;

6) decide on granting, suspension, cancellation and renewal of the right of a psychologist-supervisor;

7) supervise the activity of the Commissions for Certification of Psychologists;

8) supervise and control the professional activity of psychologists;

9) examine submissions on the professional activity of psychologists;

10) facilitate development of education and improving the qualification of psychologists;

11) perform other tasks laid down in the by-laws of the Board for Certification of Psychologists.

(5) A member of the Board for Certification of Psychologists has the obligation to withdraw himself of herself from examination of issues and decision-taking if:

1) there are circumstances due to which he or she could be interested, directly or indirectly, in decision-taking;

2) he or she is related to the person on whom the decision is being taken, the employer - is its employee, official, shareholder or stockholder;

3) he or she is a relative to the person on whom the decision is being taken up to the second degree of kinship, spouse or brother-in-law up to the first degree of affinity;

4) he or she has joint household with the person on whom the decision is being taken;

5) the decision-taking or participation in the decision-taking affects his or her own personal or material interests or that of his or her relatives or business partners.

(6) The decision of the Board for Certification of Psychologists may be contested in the Ministry of Education and Science within a month from the day of coming into force of the decision. The decision of the Ministry of Education and Science may be appealed to a court within a month from the day of coming into force of the decision.

Section 8. Commissions for Certification of Psychologists

(1) The number of Commissions for Certification of Psychologists, by taking into account distribution of the fields of the professional activity of psychologists, shall be determined by the Cabinet. The personnel composition of the Commissions for Certification of Psychologists and heads thereof shall be approved by the Board for Certification of Psychologists for a period of three years.

(2) The Commission for Certification of Psychologists shall consist of four certified psychologists in the relevant field of the professional activity of psychologists, two representatives from the Latvian Association of Psychologists and the Latvian Federation of Associations of Psychologists. At least two members of the Commission for Certification of Psychologists shall be psychologists-supervisors.

(3) The Commission for Certification of Psychologists shall:

1) ensure the process of certification examinations and psychologist-supervisor examinations;

2) provide an opinion to the Board for Certification of Psychologists on the issue of a psychologist's certificate and grating the right of a psychologist-supervisor;

3) provide an opinion to the Board for Certification of Psychologists in relation to submissions for the professional activity of psychologists and psychologists-supervisors.

(4) A member of the Commission for Certification of Psychologists has the obligation to withdraw himself of herself from examination of issues and decision-taking if:

1) there are circumstances due to which he or she could be interested, directly or indirectly, in decision-taking;

2) he or she is related to the person on whom the decision is being taken, the employer - is its employee, official, shareholder or stockholder;

3) he or she is a relative to the person on whom the decision is being taken up to the second degree of kinship, spouse or brother-in-law up to the first degree of affinity;

4) he or she has joint household with the person on whom the decision is being taken;

5) the decision-taking or participation in the decision-taking affects his or her own personal or material interests or that of his or her relatives or business partners.

Section 9. Certification and Re-certification of Psychologists

(1) In order to acquire a psychologist's certificate for the first time, an examination shall be taken. A psychologist registered with the Register of Psychologists who conforms to all of the following requirements is entitled to take the certification examination of a psychologist:

1) education of a psychologist conforms to the requirements of Section 3 of this Law;

2) the experience of the professional activity of a psychologist conforms to the requirements laid down by the Cabinet in respect of the scope of the professional activity of a psychologist that is necessary for the acquisition of a psychologist's certificate;

3) the supervision of a psychologist has been conducted by a psychologist-supervisor to the extent laid down by the Cabinet which is necessary for the acquisition of a psychologist's certificate;

4) has paid the fee for taking the certification examination;

5) the prohibitions of the performance of the professional activity of a psychologist laid down in Section 6 of this Law do not exist for a psychologist.

(2) The field of the professional activity of a psychologist in which he or she could pursue independent professional activity shall be indicated in the psychologist's certificate. The time period of validity of a psychologist's certificate is seven years. The State fee shall be paid for issuing a psychologist's certificate.

(3) A certified psychologist in respect of whom the prohibitions of pursuing the professional activity of a psychologist laid down in Section 6 of this Law do not exist and who has fulfilled the following to the extent laid down by the Cabinet is entitled to apply for re-certification on the basis of the documents confirming the requirements referred to in this Paragraph:

1) has pursued the professional activity of a psychologist in the field of the professional activity of a psychologist indicated in the psychologist's certificate;

2) has ensured cooperation with a psychologist-supervisor within the framework of a mutually entered into contract;

3) has improved his or her professional skills and competence.

(4) A certified psychologist who does not meet the requirements laid down in Paragraph three of this Section is not entitled to apply for re-certification and shall take the certification examination of a psychologist to obtain a psychologist's certificate after fulfilment of the requirements laid down in Paragraph one of this Section.

(5) The Cabinet shall determine:

1) the procedures for certification, re-certification of psychologists, suspension, termination, renewal of the professional activity of a psychologist, and suspension, cancellation and renewal of a psychologist's certificate;

2) the requirements in respect of the scope of the professional activity of a psychologist and the extent of the supervision of a psychologist which is necessary for the acquisition of a psychologist's certificate;

3) the requirements in respect of the scope of the professional activity of a psychologist, the extent of cooperation with a psychologist-supervisor and the extent of improvement of professional skills and competences necessary for re-certification;

4) the procedures for the process of the certification examination of a psychologist and the minimum extent of knowledge;

5) the amount of the fee for the certification examination of a psychologist and procedures for the collection of the fee;

6) the criteria for the conformity of the competence and professional activity of a psychologist with certain fields of activity and also the procedures for detection of such conformity;

7) a sample psychologist's certificate;

8) the amount of the State fee for the registration of a psychologist with the Register and for the issue of a psychologist's certificate and also the procedures for the collection of the State fee.

Section 10. Granting of the Right of a Psychologist-Supervisor

(1) An examination shall be taken for the acquisition of the right of a psychologist-supervisor for the first time. The examination of a psychologist-supervisor may be taken by a certified psychologist who has at least five-year experience of independent activity in the relevant field of the professional activity of a psychologist and who has paid the fee for taking the examination.

(2) A certified psychologist may obtain the right of a psychologist-supervisors at the same time for not more than in two fields of the professional activity of a psychologist. The State fee shall be paid for granting the right of a psychologist-supervisor and registration of the psychologist-supervisor with the Register of Psychologists.

(3) The right of a psychologist-supervisor shall be granted for the time period of validity of a psychologist's certificate. The right of a psychologist-supervisor shall be granted for the next time period of validity of the psychologist's certificate on the basis of successful re-certification of a psychologist or passed certification examination of a psychologist.

(4) The Cabinet shall determine:

1) the procedures for the granting, suspension, cancellation and renewal of the right of a psychologist-supervisor;

2) the requirements in respect of the scope of the professional activity of a psychologist which is necessary for the acquisition of the right of a psychologist-supervisor;

3) the procedures for the process of the examination of a psychologist-supervisor and the minimum extent of knowledge thereof;

4) the amount of the fee for the examination of a psychologist-supervisor and procedures for the collection of the fee;

5) the amount of the State fee for granting the right of a psychologist-supervisor and registration of a psychologist-supervisor with the Register, and the procedures for the collection of the State fee.

Section 11. Commission for Ethics of Psychologists

(1) The Commission for Ethics of Psychologists and the Head thereof shall be approved by the Board for Certification of Psychologists for three years. There shall be six certified psychologists - three representatives of the Latvian Association of Psychologists and the Latvian Federation of Associations of Psychologists - in the composition of the Commission for Ethics of Psychologists. At least two of the members of the Commission for Ethics of Psychologists shall be psychologists-supervisors.

(2) The Commission for Ethics of Psychologists shall:

1) draw up the Code of Ethics of Psychologists;

2) provide opinions on the interpretation of the norms of the Code of Ethics of Psychologists;

3) explain and analyse the norms of the Code of Ethics of Psychologists, and also consult psychologists on the issues of ethics;

4) compile and prepare conclusions and explanations on the interpretation and application of the norms of the Code of Ethics of Psychologists;

5) provide an opinion to the Board for Certification of Psychologists in relation to the submission on the possible violations of the Code of Ethics of Psychologists by a psychologist and psychologist-supervisor.

(3) A member of the Commission for Ethics of Psychologists has the obligation to withdraw himself of herself from examination of issues and decision-taking if:

1) there are circumstances due to which he or she could be interested, directly or indirectly, in decision-taking;

2) he or she is related to the employer of the person on whom the decision is being taken or association represented by the person - is its employee, official, shareholder, stockholder or member;

3) he or she is a relative to the person on whom the decision is being taken up to the second degree of kinship, spouse or brother-in-law up to the first degree of affinity;

4) he or she has joint household with the person on whom the decision is being taken;

5) the decision-taking or participation in the decision-taking affects his or her own personal or material interests or that of his or her relatives or business partners.

Chapter III
Basic Principles of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist and the Psychological Assessment Report

Section 12. Basic Principles of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist

A psychologist shall comply with the following basic principles in his or her professional activity:

1) the principle of responsibility - a psychologist takes responsibility for his or her professional activity and the decision taken independently from personal and external circumstances, and also for the implementation of such decision and consequences thereof in accordance with the law;

2) the principle of competence - a psychologist pursues the professional activity of a psychologist only in such situations and fields in which he or she has a corresponding competence, knowledge and qualification, and also, where necessary, consults with other colleagues or recommends another specialist;

3) the principle of confidentiality - a psychologist does not disclose the data on a customer and client, the information identifying the customer or client, and also the information of personal nature related to the customer or client which has become known through fulfilment of professional duties, except for the cases referred to in Section 16 of this Law;

4) the principle of psychological welfare of a client - when pursuing professional activity, a psychologist does not use such methods of psychological work which may harm psychological welfare of the client;

5) the principle of professional cooperation - in the situation, where it is necessary, a psychologist cooperates with both other psychologists and representatives of other professions by complying with Section 16 of this Law;

6) the principle of informing a client of the objectives and results of psychological assessment - a psychologist shall inform a client of the objective of a consultation during the first consultation and that in what way the client will have a possibility to get familiar with the result of the work;

7) the principle of ethical attitude and action - when pursuing professional activity, a psychologist shall comply with the norms of general and professional ethics;

8) the principle of respecting a person's personality - a psychologist respects and facilitates awareness of human rights, value, honour and dignity;

9) the principle of honesty - a psychologist complies with and facilitates honesty in scientific and academic activity of psychology, he or she is honest and fair in his or her professional activity.

Section 13. Psychological Assessment Report

(1) A psychological assessment report shall be a document prepared by a psychologist which has been developed by conducting a person's psychological assessment and which complies with the requirements of this Law and other laws and regulations.

(2) The following information shall be indicated in a psychological assessment report by complying with the guidelines coordinated by a sectoral ministry (if any has been developed) for the relevant type of the assessment report:

1) the customer and client;

2) the objective of a psychological assessment;

3) the time and place of a psychological assessment;

4) the basic information of the client which is or may be necessary during the process of preparation of an assessment report;

5) the methods used in a psychological assessment;

6) observations during a psychological assessment, client's motivation and assessment restrictions;

7) the results and analysis of a psychological assessment;

8) the substantiated conclusions and recommendations;

9) the information on confidentiality;

10) the date when the assessment report was prepared;

11) the given name, surname of a psychologist, the certificate's number and date of issue.

(3) A psychological assessment report shall be prepared in two copies and signed by a psychologist. If the assessment report is prepared by a psychologist which has not obtained a psychologist's certificate in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, the preparation of the assessment report shall be supervised and it shall be signed also by a psychologist-supervisor supervising the activity of the psychologist.

Chapter IV
Obligations and Rights of a Psychologist

Section 14. Obligations of a Psychologist

In pursuing the professional activity of a psychologist, he or she shall have the following obligations:

1) to use the methods which are scientifically justified and comply with the objective of a psychological assessment;

2) to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist of high quality, objectively and decently, and also to take responsibility for the results of his or her professional activity;

3) to improve professional competence, knowledge, also knowledge for work with specific target groups, on systematic and regular basis, to ensure cooperation with a psychologist-supervisor;

4) to comply with the norms of professional ethics of psychologists, to refuse to pursue professional activity if it causes the conflict of interests or a psychologist is not competent to pursue such activity;

5) to cooperate with the representatives of other professions and other psychologists in solving the problems of a client by ensuring conformity with the requirements of professional ethics and confidentiality;

6) to prepare a cooperation report on each client and, where necessary, a psychological assessment report;

7) to provide information on the objectives, methods, process and results of the service of a psychologist in a way understandable for a client, employer or customer of a psychologist;

8) if another psychologist takes over the work with a client, upon request of the client, customer, law-enforcement institutions or judicial power authorities, to ensure transfer of a psychological assessment report and cooperation report to the psychologist who takes over the work with the client;

9) not to disclose the information acquired on a client to third persons, except for the cases laid down in laws and regulations;

10) to keep a cooperation report and a psychological assessment report until the time when the purpose of use of such documents has been fully achieved, or for 10 years after preparation of such documents, and to destroy them after the expiry of such time period or termination of the professional activity of a psychologist. This obligation shall not be applicable to a psychologist if he or she is employed as an employee;

11) to ensure that availability of cooperation reports and psychological assessment reports are restricted in conformity with the requirements of laws and regulations governing the field of personal data protection.

Section 15. Rights of a Psychologist

In pursuing professional activity, a psychologist shall have the following rights:

1) to refuse to provide the services of a psychologist if the provision of such services causes or may cause direct threats to the life, health or safety of the psychologist;

2) to restrict the access of a client, employer of a psychologist, customer to the information acquired during the assessment if it may endanger the life or safety of a client, or cause significant harm to his or her health;

3) to receive from a customer the information on a client necessary for pursuing the professional activity of a psychologist.

Section 16. Confidentiality and Personal Data Protection

(1) A psychologist is prohibited to disclose the information which he or she has acquired by fulfilling his or her professional duties, except for the cases referred to in Paragraphs three and four of this Section and Section 14, Clause 9 of this Law, or cases when a psychologist has the obligation to do so in accordance with laws and regulations.

(2) The information which applies to the client of a psychologist and data confidentially entrusted to him or her during cooperation may not be requested from the psychologist, except for the following cases:

1) the information is necessary for law-enforcement institutions and judicial power institutions in conformity with the competence laid down in laws and regulations;

2) disclosure of information is necessary in accordance with laws and regulations in order to ensure protection of the rights and interests of the child;

3) information is necessary for a lawful representative of the child of 14 years of age or older in the cases when the child himself or herself has addressed to a psychologist and has given a written consent that information on him or her may be disclosed to his or her lawful representative.

(3) A psychologist may disclose such information to a customer and his or her employer which he or she has acquired by fulfilling professional duties only in the amount necessary for professional purposes and only to those representatives of the customer or employer who are closely related to the relevant case. When disclosing such information, a psychologist shall formulate it within the context of the professional activity. A psychologist shall inform the customer and his or her employer, and also, where necessary, other persons with whom he or she has professional relations of confidentiality restrictions which are related to the professional activity of a psychologist.

(4) A psychologist has an obligation to immediately, however, not later than within 24 hours, notify law-enforcement or other competent institutions of the circumstances which have become known to him or her through fulfilment of his or her professional activity if there are justified suspicions that immediate rectification of the abovementioned circumstances could lead to a criminal offence against person's life, health, morality or sexual inviolability.

(5) A psychologist may use data on a client in his or her professional and scientific activities, publications, and also when performing publicly, only in such amount which does not allow to identify the client, except for the cases when the client has consented to identified use of such information in the amount coordinated with him or her in writing.

Chapter V
Rights of a Client, Rights and Obligations of a Customer and Employer of a Psychologist

Section 17. Rights of a Client

(1) A client has the right to receive the information from a psychologist in a way understandable for him or her on the objectives of the professional activity of a psychologist, methods of psychological assessment, process, its results and conclusions.

(2) A client has the right to refuse, fully or partly, from the services of a psychologist, except for the cases when it is prohibited by laws and regulations.

(3) A client has the right to address to the Board for Certification of Psychologists in writing for it to examine the submission on the professional activity of a psychologist.

Section 18. Special Rights of a Minor Client

(1) Consultation of a minor client and provision of a psychological assessment report and a cooperation report to him or her is permissible if his or her lawful representative is informed thereof and consented thereon in writing.

(2) A consent of a lawful representative of a minor client is not necessary if:

1) the first-time consultation is provided in the case when such client has attended a psychologist and a psychological assessment report is not prepared;

2) a consultation is provided to an anonymous client by using electronic communication;

3) the Orphan's and Custody Court, law enforcement institution or another competent institution has asked to provide a consultation or a psychological assessment report or a cooperation report, informing the lawful representative thereof;

4) a minor client has reached the age of 14 years and addresses to a psychologist himself or herself.

Section 19. Rights and Obligations of a Customer and Employer of a Psychologist

(1) A customer and employer of a psychologist have the right to receive information in a way understandable for him or her on the objectives of the professional activity of a psychologist, methods of psychological assessment, process, its results and conclusions, except for the cases when provision of such information is in contradiction with the principle of confidentiality.

(2) A customer has the right to refuse, fully or partly, from the services of a psychologist, except for the cases when it is prohibited by laws and regulations.

(3) A customer (legal person) and employer of a psychologist have an obligation to keep a cooperation report and a psychological assessment report until the time when the planned purpose of use of such documents has been fully achieved, or for 10 years after preparation of the relevant documents, and to destroy them after the expiry of such time period. If a customer (legal person) and employer of a psychologist terminate their activity or are liquidated, they have an obligation to transfer a cooperation report and psychological assessment reports to a successor in rights and obligations thereof or, if none, to destroy them.

(4) A customer and employer of a psychologist shall ensure that availability of cooperation reports and psychological assessment reports is restricted in conformity with the requirements of laws and regulations governing the field of personal data protection.

Chapter VI
Suspension and Termination of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist, Suspension and Cancellation of a Psychologist's Certificate, Suspension and Cancellation of the Right of a Psychologist-Supervisor and Renewal of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist and Psychologist's Certificate

Section 20. Suspension and Termination of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist, Suspension and Cancellation of a Psychologist's Certificate

(1) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall take the decision to suspend the professional activity of a certified psychologist and psychologist's certificate, and also to suspend the professional activity of such psychologist who pursues professional activity in conformity with the conditions of Section 3, Paragraph two of this Law:

1) in the case referred to in Section 6, Clause 3 of this Law;

2) on the basis of a written submission of a psychologist for the suspension of the psychologist's certificate or suspension of the professional activity of the psychologist.

(2) The Board for Certification of Psychologists may take the decision to suspend the professional activity of a certified psychologist and psychologist's certificate, and also to suspend the professional activity of such psychologist who pursues professional activity in conformity with the conditions of Section 3, Paragraph two of this Law in the following cases:

1) the submission on acts or omissions of a psychologist in relation to possible violence, threat of violence, criminal offence directed towards a person's morality or sexual inviolability has been received;

2) the submission that a psychologist has not ensured conformity with the requirements of Section 14, Clause 4 of this Law has been received.

(3) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall take the decision to terminate the professional activity of a certified psychologist and cancel the psychologist's certificate, and also to terminate the professional activity of such psychologist who pursues professional activity in conformity with the conditions of Section 3, Paragraph two of this Law in the following cases:

1) the psychologist has provided false data on his or her professional activity to the Board for Certification of Psychologists, Commission for Certification of Psychologists or Commission for Ethics of Psychologists, and such data have been the basis for the decision of the Board for Certification of Psychologists to register the psychologist with the Register, issue, suspend the psychologist's certificate, re-certify the psychologist, renew the professional activity of the psychologist or renew validity of the psychologist's certificate;

2) the prohibitions laid down in Section 6, Clauses 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Law apply to the psychologist;

3) a significant violation of the laws and regulations governing the professional activity of psychologists or the Code of Ethics of Psychologists has been established;

4) the validity of the psychologist's certificate has been suspended for more than two years.

(4) The relevant note on the decisions of the Board for Certification of Psychologists referred to in Paragraphs one, two and three of this Section is made in the Register of Psychologists.

Section 21. Suspension and Cancellation of the Right of a Psychologist-Supervisor

(1) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall take the decision on the suspension of the right of a psychologist-supervisor in the following cases:

1) the Board for Certification of Psychologists has taken the decision to suspend a psychologist's certificate;

2) on the basis of a submission of a psychologist-supervisor on the suspension of the right of a psychologist-supervisor.

(2) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall take the decision to cancel the right of a psychologist-supervisor in the following cases:

1) if the Board for Certification of Psychologists has taken the decision to cancel the psychologist's certificate;

2) significant violation of the laws and regulations governing the professional activity of psychologists-supervisors or the Code of Ethics of Psychologists has been established;

3) on the basis of a submission of a psychologist-supervisor for the cancellation of the right of a psychologist-supervisor.

(3) The relevant note on the decisions of the Board for Certification of Psychologists referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section is made in the Register of Psychologists.

(4) After cancellation of the right of a psychologist-supervisor, a person may not apply for repeated acquisition of the right of a psychologist-supervisor if the professional activity of a psychologist thereof has been terminated and psychologist's certificate has been cancelled on the basis of Section 20, Paragraph three, Clause 1 of this Law.

Section 22. Renewal of the Professional Activity of a Psychologist and Psychologist's Certificate

(1) Not earlier than one year after the day of termination of the professional activity of a psychologist and cancellation of the psychologist's certificate or termination of the professional activity of such psychologist who pursues the professional activity of a psychologist in conformity with the conditions of Section 3, Paragraph two of this Law, a person may apply for pursuing the professional activity of a psychologist in conformity with the provisions of Section 3, Paragraph two of this Law if the professional activity of a psychologist has been terminated or the psychologist's certificate has been cancelled on the basis of Section 20, Paragraph three, Clause 1 or 3 of this Law.

(2) The Board for Certification of Psychologists shall renew registration of a psychologist with the Register or renew registration of a psychologist with the Register and psychologist's certificate for the remaining period on the basis of the person's submission if the criminal proceedings referred to in Section 6, Clause 3 of this Law against the psychologist have been terminated based on the circumstances of exoneration, or the violations referred to in Section 20, Paragraph two of this Law have not been established.

Transitional Provisions

1. A person who until 1 January 2018 has acquired the education referred to in Section 3, Paragraph one of this Law or higher education in psychology which complies with full-time studies of at least five years and has pursued the professional activity of a psychologist that is confirmed with documentary evidence for at least three years during the last five years has the right to pursue independent professional activity of a psychologist without registration with the Register and without the psychologist's certificate until 31 December 2019.

2. A person referred to in Paragraph 1 of these Transitional Provisions may apply with a submission to the Board for Certification of Psychologists during the time period from the day of establishment of the Board for Certification of Psychologists until 31 December 2018 in order to:

a) be registered with the Register and receive a psychologist's certificate without taking a certification examination, provided that the professional experience of such person that has been confirmed with documentary evidence is at least three years during the last five years;

b) be registered with the Register, receive a psychologist's certificate without taking a certification examination and obtain the right of a psychologist-supervisor without taking an examination, provided that the professional experience of such person that has been confirmed with documentary evidence is at least five years during the last seven years.

3. A person who until 1 January 2018 has acquired the education referred to in Section 3, Paragraph one of this Law or higher education in psychology which complies with full-time studies of at least five years and has pursued the professional activity of a psychologist that is confirmed with documentary evidence for not less than three years during the last five years has the right to pursue independent professional activity of a psychologist without registration with the Register and without the psychologist's certificate until 31 December 2019, and he or she may submit a submission to the Board for Certification of Psychologists from the day of establishment of the Board for Certification of Psychologists until 31 December 2018 in order to receive a psychologist's certificate after registration with the Register and following a passed certification examination.

4. A person who until 1 January 2018 has pursued the professional activity of a psychologist that is confirmed with documentary evidence for at least five years during the last seven years and who has higher education in psychology which does not conform to the education requirements laid down in Section 3, Paragraph one of this Law, or his or her diploma of higher education does not confirm full-time studies of at least five years in psychology has the right to pursue independent professional activity of a psychologist without registration with the Register and without the psychologist's certificate until 31 December 2019, and he or she may submit a submission to the Board for Certification of Psychologists from the day of establishment of the Board for Certification of Psychologists until 31 December 2018 in order to receive a psychologist's certificate after registration with the Register and following a passed certification examination.

5. A person who until 1 January 2018 has pursued the professional activity of a psychologist that is confirmed with documentary evidence for less than five years during the last seven years and who has higher education in psychology which does not conform to the education requirements laid down in Section 3, Paragraph one of this Law, or his or her diploma of higher education does not confirm full-time studies of at least five years in psychology has the right to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist until 31 December 2022 without the education specified in Section 3, Paragraph one of this Law of which the last three years are under the supervision of a psychologist-supervisor if a person has submitted a submission to the Board for Certification of Psychologists from the day of establishment of the Board for Certification of Psychologists until 30 June 2018 in order to be registered with the Register.

6. The persons referred to in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of these Transitional Provisions are permitted to exercise the right referred to in Paragraphs of these Transitional Provisions unless there are any of the prohibitions referred to in Section 6, Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Law.

7. The requirement laid down in Section 3, Paragraph two of this Law on entering into a contract with a psychologist-supervisor on the implementation of the supervision by a psychologist in order for a person to be able to pursue the professional activity of a psychologist shall be applied from 1 January 2019.

8. Until 1 February 2018, the Cabinet shall approve the by-laws of the Board for Certification of Psychologists.

9. Until 1 March 2018, the Minister for Education and Science shall establish the Board for Certification of Psychologists.

10. Until 1 December 2017, the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 5, Paragraph two, Section 9, Paragraph five and Section 10, Paragraph four of this Law.

The Law shall come into force on 1 January 2018.

The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 30 March 2017.

President R. Vējonis

Rīga, 12 April 2017


1 The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2021 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)

 
Document information
Title: Psihologu likums Status:
In force
in force
Issuer: Saeima Type: law Adoption: 30.03.2017.Entry into force: 01.01.2018.Theme: Healthcare, pharmacyPublication: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 75, 12.04.2017. OP number: 2017/75.1
Language:
LVEN
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