Mission
The mission of the Oregon Board of Psychology is to promote, preserve, and protect the public health and welfare by ensuring the ethical and legal practice of psychology.
Our Core Values:
- Transparency
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Compassion
- Mission and Core Values adopted November 2009
Organization
The Oregon Board of Psychology (OBOP) was created for the purpose of examining and licensing all persons in Oregon who engage in the practice of psychology. The Board is also charged with safeguarding the people of the State of Oregon from the dangers of unqualified and improper practice of psychology.
Practicing psychology means rendering or offering to render supervision, consultation, evaluation or therapy services to individuals, groups or organizations for the purpose of diagnosing or treating behavioral, emotional or mental disorders.
It is unlawful to practice psychology or represent oneself as a psychologist without first being properly licensed by the OBOP. To "represent oneself as a psychologist" means to use any terminology, title or description of services incorporating the words "psychology," "psychological," "psychotherapy," or "psychologist," or to offer or render to individuals or to groups of individuals services included in the practice of psychology.
The Board consists of nine members: six are licensed psychologists and three members are from the general public, not associated with the profession. All members are appointed by the Governor to three-year terms and confirmed by the Senate. The Board hires staff to administer all official business. The Board meets approximately every five to six weeks, usually at its offices in Salem. The Board is funded solely from licensing fees and other miscellaneous revenues such as publication sales and civil penalties. Decisions are made in open public meetings where guests are encouraged to attend.
Programs
The Board carries out its mission through three major programs areas: Examination of Applicants; Licensure and Continuing Education; and Consumer Protection. Through the examination of applicants, the Board accomplishes its legislative mandate to establish standards of service and training and educational qualifications for the rendering of ethical psychological services in Oregon. Because the Board believes that regular continuing education ensures the highest quality of professional services to the public, the Board requires that all licensed Psychologists and Psychologist Associates complete 40 hours of continuing education, with a minimum of four in professional ethics and four in cultural competency training. The Board protects consumers by promptly investigating all complaints made concerning either the unethical or unlicensed practice of psychology in Oregon.
MHRA Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The Mental Health Regulatory Agency is dedicated to building and maintaining a cultural of inclusiveness. We believe that all forms of diversity—age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, military status and perspective—create immense value within the agency and helps drive our strong core commitment to public protection. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the stakeholders we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
Access, advantages, and benefits are not universal, so we must dismantle barriers to ensure that everyone can succeed and is valued and feels like they matter. We believe that all people are worthy simply by existing, and our work aims to show that in words and actions. We ask that all members of our boards, staff, and our community work to uphold these values, together.
Commitment to Racial Equity
The Board is committed to promoting policies and practices that uphold racial justice and promote equity and inclusion. This includes working towards dismantling historical, institutional, and structural inequities and unfair practices. We echo the reflection of the American Psychological Association (APA) that “mainstream psychology in the US has its foundation in White Eurocentric perspective,”1 and humbly acknowledge that we are only relatively recently beginning our DEI journey. As a Board we will strive to ensure inclusive and welcoming spaces so that everyone can thrive. We will boldly put this commitment at the forefront, prioritize the work, foster partnerships, strengthen public involvement, and lean into taking responsibility and accountability. This work is aligned with our mission, informed by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Plan, and championed by our Education and DEI Committee.
1 APA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Framework can be found
here.
Board Education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (EDEIC)
The addition of the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) role for the Education Committee was adopted by the Board during its annual Strategic Planning Meeting on November 4, 2023. The DEI scope of work includes:
- Advise the Board on DEI strategy and planning, and monitor progress towards goals.
- Support and encourage the recognition of issues of equity and diversity as key components of the Board and its mission.
The EDEIC will help facilitate the Board’s consideration and implementation of the initiatives recommended in the 2022 Diversity Study and the 2023-25 DEI Plan.