How to get a psychology license

Without a psychology license, an individual may not be legally allowed to provide psychological services, and the quality and effectiveness of their services may not be regulated or monitored.

Therefore, obtaining a psychology license is essential for anyone who wishes to provide professional psychological services to clients and patients. To become a licensed psychologist, you first need a doctoral degree in psychology, complete a supervised internship or residency, and pass the required licensing exams.

Overall, the process can take anywhere from 6 to 10 years or more to complete, depending on the program's length, the internship or residency requirements, and the time it takes to pass the exams and complete any additional requirements such as postdoctoral supervised experience.

Here are the general steps to becoming a licensed psychologist:

• Earn a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.

• Earn a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited program.

• Complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours (usually around 2,000-4,000).

• Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) or a similar licensing exam.

• Apply for licensure in your state or province and meet additional state-specific requirements.

• Renew your license and continue your education. The time it takes for a license to expire depends on the state you live in.