How Do I Verify a Licensed Psychologist in Massachusetts?

Verify his license to practice.

The loss of a loved one, financial challenges and intense job dissatisfaction are just some of the reasons one might seek the services of a licensed psychologist. There are many things to consider before selecting a provider, length of time in practice, approach even gender; perhaps most important is to verify the psychologist's license. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides an easy to search database so consumers can peruse a doctor's record before making their final selection.

Instructions

1. Contact the practice and ask them to provide you with the psychologist's license number. Alarms should go off if they refuse to give it to you.

2. Go to the commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations website. Scroll down to locate the "Division of Professional Licensure" on the left sidebar, under the heading "Select an Agency", and click the link.

3. Find "Online Services" in the gray rectangle, halfway down the page, on the right sidebar. Click on "Check a professional's License": it's the first link listed. Select the "License Number" tab, use the dropdown menu to enter "Psychologist" in the "Profession of the Licensee" box, input the license number in the appropriate space and click "Search."

4. Read the report returned by the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure thoroughly. The "status" section refers to a psychologist's current authorization to practice. It verifies whether the license is in good standing or subject to holds, suspensions or revocations. The "disciplinary action" section contains a summary of any actions against the psychologist's license from July 1, 1993 to the present.

Tips & Warnings

• Call OCABR's Division of Investigation, at 617 727-7406, to determine whether there are negative actions on a psychologist's license before June 30, 1993. They can also provide information regarding complaints lodged against the psychologist that did not result in disciplinary action.

• OCABR license verification reports omit unresolved current complaints and may not reflect disciplinary actions which were overturned by a court ruling in the psychologist's favor. Contact the Clerk of the County Court where the complaint was initially filed to determine the final dispensation.

References

• Mass.gov: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations
• Mass.gov: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, Disclaimer Regarding Website License Searches