I. INTRODUCTION Today, in addition to physicians, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, and nurses with various advanced degrees all have some prescription power in most states. (1) But whether psychologists should be able to prescribe medications to patients is still highly debated. (2) In the 1980s, the American Psychology Association started to explore the notion, (3) and eventually theorized three levels of psychopharmacology to label the training of psychologists in prescription power: (1) Basic Psychopharmacology Education, a one semester course; (2) Collaborative Practice, a seven-topic study and a collaborative relationship with a licensed prescriber; and (3) Prescription Privileges, training meant to be limited in scope like that of dentists and nurse practitioners. (4) Proponents insist that the need of prescribing health professionals in rural areas should be addressed and that prescription authority is the next "logical step" in the course of advancing the psychology profession. (5) Many also contend that prescriptive authority is the only way for the psychology profession to survive. (6)
