As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

“Board” means the board of psychology.

“Continuing education” means courses approved by the American Psychological Association, the Hawaii Psychological Association, or other state or provincial psychological associations.

“Credit hour” means, except as otherwise provided, the value assigned to fifty minutes of instruction.

“Director” means the director of commerce and consumer affairs.

“Institution of higher education” means a university, professional school, or other institution of higher learning that:

(1) In the United States, is regionally accredited by bodies approved by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education;

(2) In Canada, holds a membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; or

(3) In other countries, is accredited by the respective official organization having such authority.

“Licensed” means the authority to engage in the autonomous practice of psychology. The terms certified, registered, chartered, or any other term chosen by a jurisdiction used in the same capacity as licensed are considered equivalent terms.

“Practice of psychology” means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, or modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to, psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse, and disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, and the public. The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered.

“Professional psychology training program” means a doctoral training program that includes (1) and (2), or (1) and (3) of the following:

(1) Is a planned program of study which reflects an integration of the science and practice of psychology including practica and internship; and

(2) Is designated as a doctoral program in psychology by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology or is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association; or

(3) Is offered in a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

“Psychologist” means a person who offers to the public or renders to individuals or to groups of individuals services defined as the practice of psychology. A person represents to be a psychologist if the person uses any title or description of services incorporating the words “psychology”, “psychological”, “psychologist”, or “psychotherapy”, or if the person offers or renders to individuals or to groups of individuals services defined as the practice of psychology.

“Regionally accredited institution” means an institution of higher education accredited by the bodies approved by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.