1. A. Before providing telepsychology services, a psychologist or psychology associate shall develop and follow a procedure to:

   1. (1) Verify the identification of the client receiving telepsychology services;
   2. (2) Obtain informed consent specific to telepsychology services using appropriate language understandable to the client;
   3. (3) Prevent access to data by unauthorized persons through encryption, or other means;
   4. (4) Notify clients in the event of a data breach;
   5. (5) Ensure that the telepsychology practitioner provides a secure and private telepsychology connection and complies with federal and state privacy laws;
   6. (6) Establish safety protocols to be used in the case of an emergency, including contact information for emergency services at the client’s location; and
   7. (7) Ensure that any psychological testing instruments used are designed, validated, or appropriate for use via telepsychology.

2. B. A psychologist or psychology associate shall:

   1. (1) Obtain or confirm an alternative method of contacting the client in case of a technological failure;
   2. (2) Determine whether the client is in Maryland and identify the client’s specific location;
   3. (3) For an initial telepsychology interaction only, disclose the psychologist’s or psychology associate’s name, location, license number, and contact information;
   4. (4) Identify all individuals present at each location and confirm they are permitted to hear the client’s health information; and
   5. (5) Be held to the same standards of practice and documentation as those applicable for in-person sessions.
3. C. A psychologist or psychology associate may not treat a client based solely on an online questionnaire.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§1-901—1-903, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 489)