Frequently Searched

Psychologists in Arizona Win Freedom to Work as State Board Backs Down

May 11, 2020

May 11, 2020
By Jon Riches

Five psychologists in Arizona won their freedom to practice their profession when the state’s Board of Psychologist Examiners reversed course on its incorrect interpretation of a new state law, thanks to the work of the Goldwater Institute. Eliminating this irrational barrier to work will benefit Arizonans at a time when mental health support is especially needed.

Last year, Arizona became a national leader in breaking down barriers to work when it enacted a “universal recognition” law that allows residents who are licensed to practice an occupation in other states to practice in Arizona. The law requires state licensing authorities to grant licenses to Arizona residents who have held a license in good standing in another state for at least a year.

Dr. Carol Gandolfo, who resides in Arizona and has been a licensed psychologist in California for over 20 years, applied for a license under the law. But even though Dr. Gandolfo met the requirements, the Board denied her a license, along with several others who also applied.

The Board contended that the universal recognition law only applies to new residents, not residents who have resided in Arizona for some unspecified length of time. The Board also claimed that because Dr. Gandolfo did not receive her degree from a regionally accredited institution (she received her degree from a state accredited school) she “does not hold a license from another state at the same practice level” as licensed individuals in Arizona. 

The Goldwater Institute took up Dr. Gandolfo’s case, appealed the denial of her license, and argued that the Board was wrong on both counts. The law applies to all Arizona residents, old or new. And the entire purpose of universal licensure is to recognize out-of-state licenses even if the requirements for licensure in the other state are different from those in Arizona. 

On Friday, the Board reconsidered its previous interpretation of the law and determined that it was incorrect. It then granted Dr. Gandolfo and four other applicants their licenses to practice psychology in Arizona. Although the Board never should have denied these licenses in the first place, it should be commended for reversing its prior decision and granting them now. 

The Board’s decision is good news for Arizonans, especially as more and more people suffer from mental health issues, alcohol abuse, and domestic instabilities as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and its aftermath. Indeed, the Board should look very carefully at unreasonable barriers for mental health professionals to practice in this state. 

When Arizona enacted universal recognition of occupational licenses, it became a national leader in breaking down unnecessary barriers to work — a policy that the Goldwater Institute has long advocated. The Board took a step in the right direction on Friday by recognizing that Arizona law has eliminated many of those barriers. It should continue to work to eliminate arbitrary obstacles that stand in the way of mental health care for Arizonans who are in need of those services now more than ever.   

Jon Riches is the Director of National Litigation at the Goldwater Institute.

 

 

More on this issue

Donate Now

Help all Americans live freer, happier lives. Join the Goldwater Institute as we defend and strengthen freedom in all 50 states.

Donate Now

Since 1988, the Goldwater Institute has been in the liberty business — defending and promoting freedom, and achieving more than 400 victories in all 50 states. Donate today to help support our mission.

We Protect Your Rights

Our attorneys defend individual rights and protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Need Help? Submit a case.

Get Connected to Goldwater

Sign up for the latest news, event updates, and more.

Wait! Don’t close this yet!

We are grateful for your support of the Goldwater Institute’s efforts to advance and defend liberty throughout the United States. For over 36 years, we’ve been defending the rights of Americans to live their lives free from government interference.

And Goldwater is unique in that we direct our efforts to the 50 states where we introduce and advance innovative ideas that expand freedom. And we fight in courtrooms and capitals nationwide to defend individual liberty.

In 2024 alone, we scored over 50 policy and litigation victories defending liberty!

And that’s just the beginning.

Our plans for 2025 include:

  • Stopping pernicious DEI and other woke programs in America’s universities.
  • Ensuring that patients suffering from rare and terminal diseases have access to cutting-edge, lifesaving medical treatments, without having to first seek permission from the government.
  • Defending parental rights across the United States so that parents can send their kids to the school that best fits their needs, free from leftist indoctrination.
  • Eliminating government interference in the fundamental right of individuals to own property and use it as they see fit.
  • And much, much more

We seek to restore the presumption of liberty; that people are free to act without first asking permission from the government.

But we cannot do this without you. Will you join us as we fight to preserve and advance liberty throughout the country? As we seek new and innovative ways to defend freedom in all 50 states?

And there’s great news: Thanks to a generous Goldwater supporter, your donation today will be doubled!

So please, join us in fighting to advance liberty and score real wins for freedom from coast to coast!