The Psychology License Map: A State-by-State Guide

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

Editor: Michael Hoffman

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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:

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

Specializations Offered: Counseling, Clinical, Industrial/Organizational, and School Psychology

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Continuing education

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship

Exam Requirements:

  • Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Alaska Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Specializations: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and other equivalent specializations (Note: School Psychology is regulated separately)

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Continuing education

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Arizona Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Eligible Specializations: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, or other specializations accepted by the ABPE

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources:

Arkansas Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school (special rules apply if not APA-accredited)

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources:

California Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Special licensing rules for graduates of non-APA programs

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Colorado Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from APA- or regionally accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Connecticut Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency (One year supervised field experience)

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources:

Delaware Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP (including Part II – Skills)

Additional Resources:

District of Columbia Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating jurisdiction

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP (including Part II – Skills)

Additional Resources:

Florida

PSYPACT Status: Participating state

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Graduation from an APA-accredited program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Florida jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Georgia

PSYPACT Status: Participating state

Applicants must identify a specialty (e.g., Clinical, Counseling, Industrial/Organizational) when applying for licensure.

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an APA- or CPA-accredited program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP (including Part II – Skills)
  • Jurisprudence exam
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources:

Hawai’i Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree in psychology

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Requirements:

  • Must declare specialty (Clinical, Counseling, Industrial/Organizational, etc.)

Additional Resources: Psychology Licensing Rules and Forms

Idaho Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources:

Illinois Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements: Internship hours; Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements: EPPP

Additional Licenses: Clinical and Prescribing Psychologist (requires extra credentialing)

Additional Resources: Clinical Psychologist Licensing Info

Indiana Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources: Indiana Psychology Licensing Information

Iowa Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources:

Kansas Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements: EPPP

Additional Resources: Kansas Psychology Licensure Info

Kentucky Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources: KY Psychology Laws & Regulations

Louisiana Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources: Louisiana Psychologist Licensure Info

Maine Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Minimum two years of experience in psychology

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources: Maine Psychologist Licensing Info

Maryland Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree required

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources: MD Psychologist License Information

Massachusetts Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources: Psychology Licensing Info – MA

Michigan Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements: EPPP

Additional Resources:

Minnesota Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources: Psychology Licensure Application Information

Mississippi Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an APA-approved program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources: Mississippi Board of Psychology: Rules and Regulations

Missouri Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources: MO Psychology Rules & StatutesLicensure Info

Montana Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Montana Board of Psychologists jurisdictional course

Additional Resources: MT Psychologist Licensing Info

Nebraska Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources: Nebraska Psychology Licensure Regulations

Nevada Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), Part I – Knowledge and Part II – Skills
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

New Hampshire Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

New Jersey Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Supervised practice hours (total of 3,500). Can be combination of predoctoral and postdoctoral hours).

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

New Mexico Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree in clinical, counseling, or school psychology from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship/practicum hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

New York Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship/practicum hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP (Part 1 – Knowledge)

Additional Resources:

North Carolina Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

North Dakota Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school and APA/CPA-accredited program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources:

Ohio Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • 3,600 hours of qualifying supervised training

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Oral exam
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Oklahoma Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Oregon Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Not a Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Postdoctoral Residency

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Pennsylvania Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an APA/CPA-accredited program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Two years (may include predoctoral internship to meet one year of experience requirement)

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Rhode Island Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school and APA-accredited program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources:

South Carolina Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school and APA-accredited program

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Oral examination

Additional Resources:

South Dakota Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Specific coursework
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Oral examination

Additional Resources:

Tennessee Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Ethics and Jurisprudence exam

Additional Notes:

  • Must obtain Health Service Provider designation if serving impaired or at-risk populations

Additional Resources:

Texas Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Utah Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship/Residency
  • Postdoctoral hours (while licensed as a Certified Psychology Resident)

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Vermont Social Work License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Master’s level license available under certain conditions

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Virginia Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Internship hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence Exam

Additional Resources:

Washington Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Residency
  • Internship hours
  • Postdoctoral supervised practice hours

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

West Virginia Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • Five years supervised practice (mMaster’s level licensure)
  • 1,800 hours postdoctoral internship (doctoral level licensure without supervision)

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Oral exam

Additional Resources:

Wisconsin Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school
  • Specific coursework

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • 3,000 hours of supervised graduate-level experience (at least 1,500 postdoctoral)

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP
  • Jurisprudence exam

Additional Resources:

Wyoming Psychology License Requirements

PSYPACT Status: Participating State

Educational Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree from an accredited school

Fieldwork Requirements:

  • 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (1,500 in predoctoral internship and 1,500 postdoctoral)

Exam Requirements:

  • EPPP

Additional Resources: