What authority does the department have regarding mental evaluations for licensees?

The department possesses the authority to compel mental evaluations for licensees when there are concerns about their mental fitness to practice. This power is designed to protect not only the welfare of the public but also the integrity of the profession itself. When there is evidence or reasonable suspicion that a licensee may be impaired due to mental health issues, the department can mandate an evaluation to ensure that the licensee is capable of providing safe and competent services.

This authority is an essential component of regulatory oversight, providing a mechanism to address potential risks associated with a licensee's mental state. By compelling evaluations, the department ensures compliance with standards that uphold public safety and professional ethics.

Other options reflect less authoritative roles, such as suggesting or requesting voluntary evaluations, which do not encompass the department's full capability to enforce evaluations in the interest of safety and professional integrity. The notion that the department has no authority at all would contradict the established regulatory framework governing the practice of psychology in Florida.