Prescription Privileges for Psychologists: A Survey of Predoctoral Interns and Directors of Training

Does interest in prescription privileges for psychologists differ between psychology interns and their mid-career mentors? In December 1995, surveys soliciting information about attitudes toward prescription privileges were mailed to interns and directors of training at all 525 intern sites that were members of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. Of those responding, more than 70% of both interns and training directors supported, in principle, prescription privileges. A majority of interns expressed a willingness to seek training and prescriptive authority, given their availability, whereas only one-third of training directors would do so. These results have training implications and suggest the potential for a schism within the profession.