LibGuides: Psychology and Counseling Guide: Links for Licensing

Credentials and Licensing

How To Become a Psychologist

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.

Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license. *

Similar Occupations to Psychologist from Occupational Outlook Handbook
A searchable list of similar occupations.

Internship Required

Most prospective psychologists must have pre- or postdoctoral supervised experience, including an internship. Internships allow students to gain experience in an applied setting. Candidates must complete an internship before they can qualify for state licensure. The required number of hours of the internship varies by state.

STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) is the alliance of state, provincial, and territorial agencies responsible for the licensure and certification of psychologists throughout the United States and Canada. ASPPB was formed in 1961 to serve psychology boards in the two countries. Currently, the psychology boards of all fifty states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and all ten provinces of Canada are members of ASPPB. Much of the impetus for its founding was related to mobility for practitioners. By consensus, the first step was to create and maintain a standardized written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). ASPPB has done so since 1965.
Link to State Boards for Licensure
ASPPB Member Boards contact information for state, provincial and territorial agencies responsible for the licensure and certification of psychologists throughout the U.S. and Canada is listed in alphabetical order below.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited October 05, 2022).