Psychologist Licensure Requirements in Hawaii

Psychologist licensure in Hawaii includes distinct pathways tied to different professional roles and practice settings. While requirements vary based on the type of credential pursued, each pathway emphasizes preparation, supervised experience, and demonstrated competency.

Primary Licensing Authority

The Hawaii Board of Psychology, part of the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA), is the primary licensing authority for psychologists in Hawaii.

Licensed Psychologist Requirements

Education Requirements

• Applicants must hold a doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association (APA)-approved program in clinical, counseling, or school psychology, or from a program that offers a combination of these fields (HRS §465-7(a)(1)).
  
• Applicants from non-APA-accredited programs must demonstrate equivalency through coursework and training documentation, as defined in HRS §465-1 (“professional psychology training program”).
  
• Coursework for equivalency must include core content areas such as biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases, individual differences, ethics, research design, and statistics.
  

Supervised Experience Requirements

• A doctoral-level internship and one year of postdoctoral supervised experience in health service psychology are required (HRS §465-7(a)(2)).
  
• The internship must be APA-approved or equivalent and include direct health service training.
  
• The postdoctoral year must consist of supervised practice in a recognized health service setting.
  
• Secondary sources estimate total supervised experience around 3,800 hours (approximately 1,900 hours for the internship and 1,900 hours for the postdoctoral year).
  

Examination Requirements

• Applicants must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) as prescribed by the Board (§465-7(a)(3)).
  
• There is no mention of a separate jurisprudence or law exam in the primary sources.
  

License Renewal and Continuing Education

• Continuing education is required for license renewal.
  
• The specific statutory hour requirement is not listed in Chapter 465.
  
• External sources commonly cite a requirement of 18 hours every two years, including ethics; however, this is not specified in the statute.
  

Recognized Specializations

• Explicitly recognized doctoral specializations under §465-7(a)(1)(A) are:
  
  • Clinical Psychology
    
  • Counseling Psychology
    
  • School Psychology
    
  • Or a combination of these fields
    

Other Psychology Licenses in Hawaii

School Psychologist

• Hawaii does not license or certify school psychologists through a separate educator standards board.
  
• The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) sets qualifications for School Psychologists as part of its Support Services Personnel classification for public school employment.
  

Credentialing Requirements

• Must hold a graduate degree (master’s or higher) in school psychology from an accredited institution.
  
• The program must meet National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) standards or provide equivalent training.
  
• Must complete a supervised internship or practicum totaling at least 1,200 hours, with a minimum of 600 hours in a school setting.
  
• Must demonstrate professional experience in providing psychological and educational services to children and youth, either during internship or post-graduate.
  

Scope of Practice

• HIDOE school psychologists are limited to providing services within Hawaii’s public school system.
  
• Responsibilities include:
  
  • Conducting psychological and educational assessments
    
  • Consulting with teachers, families, and administrators
    
  • Providing interventions and counseling for learning, behavior, and emotional issues
    
  • Supporting special education evaluations and IEP processes
    
  • Participating in prevention and crisis intervention programs
    
• School psychologists are not independently licensed practitioners; those wishing to practice outside the public school system must obtain a psychologist license through the DCCA Board of Psychology.
  

Scope of Practice Considerations

• Psychologists licensed by the DCCA Board may practice independently within the boundaries of their education and training.
  
• School psychologists credentialed by the HIDOE may provide psychological services only within the public school system and are not licensed for independent practice outside this setting.
  
• Individuals seeking independent practice must be licensed by the Board of Psychology.
  

PSYPACT Status in Hawaii

PSYPACT is an interstate compact that allows for the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face psychology across state lines among participating states.

• At the time of this writing, Hawaii is not yet a PSYPACT member.
  
• Legislation (SB2080) to adopt the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact has been introduced and is pending in the Hawaii State Senate.
  
• If enacted, the bill would authorize Hawaii’s PSYPACT participation with an effective date of January 1, 2027, and require the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to adopt rules for administration.
  
• Until the Compact is enacted and implemented, Hawaii does not participate in PSYPACT.
  

Key Takeaways

• Licensure for psychologists in Hawaii is regulated by the Hawaii Board of Psychology (DCCA), requiring a doctoral degree, supervised internship and postdoctoral experience, and passing the EPPP.
  
• Continuing education is required for renewal, but statutory hour details are not specified in the provided statute.
  
• School psychologists are credentialed for practice only within Hawaii’s public school system through HIDOE, not through a separate licensure board.
  
• PSYPACT participation is not implemented as of early 2026.
  
• The Hawaii Board of Psychology and the Hawaii Department of Education are the authorities for psychologist licensure and public school psychologist credentialing, respectively. Always consult these bodies for the most current and definitive requirements.
  

Important Note: Licensure requirements can change over time and may vary based on individual circumstances. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and current information, prospective psychologists should always consult the appropriate state licensing board and education agency for the most up-to-date licensure and certification requirements.