APA applauds new state laws allowing psychologists with advanced training to prescribe certain medications in Hawaii and Vermont

New legislation will help psychologists provide an integrated model of care for patients, APA says

News Release from American Psychological Association, July 14, 2026 

Washington — The American Psychological Association applauded the states of Hawaii and Vermont for expanding patients’ access to comprehensive mental health care by adopting laws that will allow specially trained psychologists to prescribe medications for the treatment of mental health disorders.

“In countless rural areas, mental health needs are often great, and health care practitioners are in short supply,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “Psychologists with advanced clinical training in psychopharmacology provide critical relief to patients facing long wait times and prescriber shortages.”

The Hawaii law, which goes into effect July 15, creates a limited, three-year pilot program at federally qualified health centers on the islands of Hawaii and Kauai to treat adults ages 18 to 65, under supervision by a psychiatrist or physician. Following the pilot program, the state health planning and development agency will make a recommendation to the Hawaii legislature to determine whether the program should be expanded, made permanent statewide or terminated.

Currently, a significant percentage of mental health medications are being prescribed by primary-care providers and family doctors, who do not have the same background in mental health care as psychologists. Psychologists with advanced training in clinical psychopharmacology can offer more comprehensive mental health care and reduce barriers to treatment.

“As the provider shortage grew in recent years, more and more legislators became open to prescription privileges for psychologists as a remedy,” said Alex Lichton, PhD, chair of the legislative action committee of the Hawaii Psychological Association. “The waiting list to see a prescribing provider has been about three months, so the new law is expected to decrease wait times for the vulnerable populations served by the federally qualified health centers in these rural areas.”

Hawaii is the ninth state to allow prescribing privileges for psychologists, along with Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, Utah and Vermont. The Vermont legislation was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott on April 27, making this the first time two states have passed legislation regarding prescribing privileges for psychologists in the same year.

The Vermont legislation establishes a carefully structured pathway for psychologists licensed in Vermont to prescribe certain medications that treat mental health conditions. After completing the required education and training to become a licensed psychologist—an average of seven years of graduate education and several years of supervised clinical training—psychologists who wish to prescribe medication in the state must complete a master’s degree  in clinical psychopharmacology from an APA-designated program, engage in supervised clinical rotations in specialties including psychiatry, geriatrics, family or internal medicine and neurology over the course of 14 months or more, and pass a national certifying examination.

Rick Barnett, PsyD, who serves as the legislative chair and is a past president of the Vermont Psychological Association, commended the legislation and the effects it will have for patients seeking care in rural and underserved areas. “After more than a decade of sustained effort, this milestone reflects the dedication, persistence and professionalism of so many within our community,” he said. “From early advocacy and education, to testimony, relationship-building and steady presence year after year—this was most certainly a collective achievement.”

Prescribing psychologists must also master the ability to evaluate a patient’s health and suitability for treatment with medication over the course of their training, including knowing when to collaborate with physicians to help more medically complex patients. Psychologists in Vermont who have met these criteria will be able to prescribe certain medications to treat mental health conditions beginning in July 2029.

“These state laws reflect psychologists’ commitment to providing high-quality mental health care to communities in need,” Evans said. “By combining therapeutic expertise with medical knowledge, prescribing psychologists can greatly simplify patients’ ability to manage their mental health conditions with medication safely and effectively.”

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