Psychologists in Louisiana and New Mexico are certified to prescribe

Bills that would expand who could prescribe medication were introduced in nine other state legislatures this year, and experts believe the push will continue.

By Myrle Croasdale, AMNews staff. May 16, 2005.

Elaine LeVine, PhD, is one of four psychologists able to prescribe medication in the United States, a privilege she received this February when New Mexico and Louisiana became the first states to issue psychologists prescribing certificates.

So far only two psychologists in New Mexico and two in Louisiana have completed the certification process. Another 40 psychologists are in various stages of training in New Mexico and are expected to qualify over the next two years. In Louisiana, 50 psychologists are expected to receive prescribing certificates by year's end.

Organized medicine was united in its opposition when New Mexico passed legislation in 2002 and Louisiana adopted a law in 2004. A number of physicians still believe it's unsafe to have psychologists prescribe medication. But as the program gets under way, a physician supervising Dr. LeVine said the new law is good for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

"I've been in southern New Mexico for 16 years, and we spend hours every week trying to find help from psychiatrists and psychologists," said Tim Herndon, MD, who supervises Dr. LeVine and also is an instructor at the Southwestern Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy and in private practice. Roughly 40% of Dr. Herndon's practice is behavior pediatrics, not because he specializes in it but because there is a need.

He sees Dr. LeVine and her colleagues as a boon to the area's underserved population, and he's confident in their training and abilities.