New Mexico has become the first US state to grant prescribing privileges to psychologists. The legislation, approved in March, is a response to the state's shortage of psychiatrists.
There are only 18 psychiatrists serving the 72% of New Mexicans who live outside Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and patients are waiting between 6 weeks and 5 months to see one of them. According to the American Psychological Association, suicide among New Mexicans aged 15 to 24 is 75% higher than the national average, and 75% of those with a mental illness are not receiving treatment.
Before prescribing psychotropic drugs, psychologists must complete 450 hours of course work, a 100-patient practicum under MD supervision, and pass a national exam. They will then receive a 2-year licence that lets them prescribe under a doctor's supervision. If the physician approves and the psychologist's prescribing records pass an independent peer review, the psychologist can apply to prescribe independently after 2 years.
Four other states have similar legislation pending, and 31 state associations representing psychologists are lobbying for it. A spokesperson for the Canadian Psychological Association says Canadian psychologists have no prescribing privileges.