Navigating psychology licensure requirements between states and specializations can be a complex and arduous process, but it is necessary to pursue your future career. Use this OMD guide to understand and meet your state’s requirements so you can begin practicing as a licensed psychologist.
Author: Angela Myers, BA
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Graduate Ed.BusinessSocial WorkEditor: Michael Hoffman, JD, MA
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Graduate Ed.Online LearningStudent Success- Common Types
Common Types of Psychology License Options
Read more - Licensure Process
Initial Steps to Psychology Licensure
Read more - License Requirements
Psychology License Requirements by State
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You’ve decided that a career as a psychologist is in your future. You know you’ll need a formal education and practical training. And you also know you’ll need to obtain state licensure in the particular field of psychology in which you intend to practice.
Before you can even get started on your psychology career path, however, you’ll need answers to several important questions, like:
- What type of psychology degree (and degree level) do I need to qualify for licensure in my chosen specialization?
- What are the specific requirements for licensure in my state and for my specialization?
- For that matter, what specialized area of psychology do I wish to pursue? Do I want a career in research, teaching, or providing treatment directly to patients?
To help you answer these questions and more, we’ve created a psychology license map with essential state-by-state information on education and licensure requirements for becoming a licensed psychologist. You’ll also discover additional information and advice on the professional practice of psychology, including a look at the various types of psychology licensure, the steps you’ll take on your path to qualifying for and obtaining your psychology license, and much more.
So if you’re ready to get started, chart out your professional career path using our psychology license map here.
VIEW PSYCHOLOGY STATE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Common Types of Psychology License Options
Although every state has unique requirements for becoming a licensed psychologist, similar licenses are offered in most states. Below, we explore the most popular types of psychology licenses offered across state lines.
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed psychologists observe, interpret, and record cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Most states require students to earn either a PhD or a PsyD before they are eligible to apply for licensure. A PhD (doctor of philosophy) is generally for people who want to perform research or become a teacher, while a PsyD (doctor of psychology) is for people who want to work directly with clients.
School Psychologist
School psychologists work with students, teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors and social workers). They use their expertise to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Most states require a master’s degree to apply for licensure as a school psychologist.
With the exceptions of Texas and Hawai’i, each state education agency (SEA) credentials school psychologists to practice in that state. Many states also accept or align their credentialing requirements with the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, which outlines national standards for school psychologists.
Psychological Associate
Becoming a psychological associate requires less education and fieldwork requirements than a licensed psychologist. For this reason, people with this credential generally find work within schools, hospitals, or elderly care homes. It’s important to note that different states may offer licenses that fall within the scope of a psychological associate under slightly different titles. For example, Alabama offers a psychological technician license that’s similar in scope.
State-Specific Licenses
In some cases, states may offer additional psychology licenses at the master’s or PhD level. For example, most states offer some type of behavioral analyst license for students who earn either a board-certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) or board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) credential. See each state for more specific details on additional licenses they may offer.
Initial Steps to Psychology Licensure
While the final steps to becoming a licensed psychologist vary by state, students often need to complete the same initial steps. Below are the more general conditions students can expect to fulfill before needing to complete state-specific requirements.
Step One: Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
Every state requires, at minimum, a master’s degree in psychology to become a licensed psychologist. Before earning your master’s, however, you’ll first have to earn your bachelor’s degree. And for most master’s programs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related major. During your bachelor’s program search, you’ll notice that both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) psychology degrees are available. Most psychology master’s programs will accept applicants with either a BA or BS degree.
Generally speaking, BA in Psychology programs tend to be more broad-based in terms of curriculum. This means a smaller number of required psychology-specific and related coursework (math, science, statistics, research methods, etc.), and requiring more social science, arts, and humanities courses and electives. Conversely, BS in Psychology programs focus more on psychology and related subject courses and less on coursework in the broader liberal arts field.
Step Two: Choose Your Specialization
During your undergraduate studies, you’ll want to take a serious look at each of the areas of specialization within the psychology field and determine which one you intend to pursue in your graduate work and professional practice. Your choice of specialization will also determine whether you will need to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree.
Step Three: Earn Your Graduate Degree(s)
Obtaining your psychology license will require earning a master’s, doctorate, or possibly an educational specialist (EdS) degree, typically in (or with a concentration in) the specific area of the psychology field in which you intend to practice. The degree level that will apply to you will depend on the specific licensure requirements in your state for your chosen specialization.
Step Four: Complete Practicum/Fieldwork
Regardless of degree level or specialized area of practice, you will complete a substantial number of practice hours in one or more fieldwork experiences as part of your degree requirements. These experiences will typically come in the form of practicums, internships, or residencies, and are completed under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Some states additionally require completion of post-doctoral practice hours to obtain licensure.
Step Five: Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Exam
Developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is the licensing exam in the psychology field currently used by all U.S. states and most Canadian provinces. Passing the EPPP Exam’s Part 1 (Knowledge) is required to obtain licensure as a licensed psychologist. It may also be a requirement in some jurisdictions for obtaining other forms of psychology licensure. Some states require taking and passing the EPPP Part 2 (Skills) and/or additional exams for psychology licensure as well.
Step Six: Fulfill Additional Requirements
All states have additional requirements beyond formal education and licensure exams for obtaining a psychology license. These often include taking a jurisprudence exam, paying licensing fees, passing a criminal background check, and more. Specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, so it’s highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the requirements for the jurisdictions in which you plan to practice before beginning your formal psychology studies. We’ve put together the following psychology licensure map to help get you started.
Psychology License Requirements by State
The map below was created to answer your psychology licensing questions and provide helpful, state-specific resources.
If you’re unsure which state you’d like to practice in, that’s okay, too! Many states participate in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) — an interstate agreement that allows qualifying psychologists to practice and/or become licensed more easily across state lines. We’ve called out which states participate in this agreement to help you better understand your options.
Find your state on the map below to get started.
Alabama Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Alaska Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Arizona Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Arkansas Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
California Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Colorado Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Connecticut Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Delaware Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
District of Columbia Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating jurisdiction
Georgia
PSYPACT Status: Participating state
Hawai’i Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Idaho Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Illinois Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Indiana Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Iowa Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Kansas Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Kentucky Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Louisiana Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Maine Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Maryland Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Massachusetts Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Michigan Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Minnesota Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Mississippi Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Missouri Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Montana Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Nebraska Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Nevada Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
New Hampshire Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
New Jersey Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
New Mexico Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
New York Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
North Carolina Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
North Dakota Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Ohio Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Oklahoma Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Oregon Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State
Pennsylvania Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Rhode Island Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
South Carolina Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
South Dakota Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Tennessee Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Texas Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Utah Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Vermont Social Work License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Virginia Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Washington Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
West Virginia Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Wisconsin Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State
Wyoming Psychology License Requirements
PSYPACT Status: Participating State