# Psychologist Licensure Requirements in Louisiana
**Author:** Psych Degree Starter Editorial Team
**Published:** January 23, 2026
**Updated:** January 23, 2026
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Psychologist licensure in Louisiana requires doctoral-level education, supervised professional experience, and multiple examinations. Separate credentials are available for specialists in school psychology through both the licensing board and the Department of Education.
## **Primary Licensing Authority**
The [Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP)] (https://lsbep.org/) is responsible for psychologist licensure in Louisiana.
## **Licensed Psychologist Requirements**
### **Education Requirements**
- A doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited university with a major in psychology approved by the LSBEP is required.
- Acceptable programs include those accredited by the [APA] (https://www.apa.org/) or [CPA] (https://cpa.ca/) , or programs meeting the Board’s equivalency standards.
Programs involving direct client work require approved practica or internships.
### **License Renewal and Continuing Education**
-- Licensees must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours in ethics/professional conduct.
### **Supervised Experience Requirements**
-- A minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of supervised professional experience in psychology is required:
--- Up to 2,000 hours may be completed as a pre-doctoral internship (APA-approved or equivalent).
--- The remainder must be completed as post-doctoral supervised experience under a licensed psychologist.
### **Examination Requirements**
-- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is required.
-- Louisiana jurisprudence exam covering state-specific laws and ethics.
-- Board-administered structured oral examination assessing ethics, diagnosis, and professional competence.
### **Recognized Specializations**
-- Formal specialties recognized by the Board include:
--- Clinical Psychology
--- Counseling Psychology
--- School Psychology
--- Neuropsychology
-- The Board may recognize other areas of applied psychology upon review but primarily licenses health-service specializations.
## **Other Psychology Licenses in Louisiana**
### **School Psychologist**
School psychology in Louisiana is regulated by both the LSBEP (state licensure) and the [Louisiana Department of Education] (https://doe.louisiana.gov/) (school certification).
#### **Credential Types**
-- **Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP)** — issued by LSBEP
-- **School Psychologist Certificate** — issued by LDOE (for public school practice only)
#### **LSBEP – Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) Requirements**
-- Specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology from an APA- or NASP-approved program.
-- Minimum 1,200-hour internship, including at least 600 hours in a school setting.
-- Exams required:
--- Praxis School Psychologist exam (#5403)
--- LSBEP jurisprudence exam
--- LSBEP oral exam
-- One year of supervised post-graduate experience delivering school psychology services.
-- State and federal criminal background screening required.
#### **LDOE – School Psychologist Certificate**
-- Required for employment in public school systems.
-- Does not authorize independent private practice; independent work requires LSSP or psychologist licensure through LSBEP.
#### **Scope of Practice**
-- LSSPs are authorized to:
--- Conduct psychoeducational assessments and interventions
--- Provide counseling and consultation to students, parents, and teachers
--- Participate in special education evaluations and IEP teams
--- Implement behavioral and mental health programs
--- Offer crisis intervention and prevention services
-- LSSPs may practice in educational and clinical settings within the scope of school psychology.
-- DOE-certified school psychologists are limited to public school environments.
## **Scope of Practice Considerations**
-- Licensed psychologists may engage in independent practice within their scope of training and licensure.
-- LSSPs may provide school psychology services in both educational and clinical settings, as authorized by their credential.
-- DOE-certified school psychologists may practice only within public school environments. Independent practice requires LSSP or full psychologist licensure through the LSBEP.
## **PSYPACT Status in Louisiana**
At the time of this writing, Louisiana is **not a participating PSYPACT state** . [PSYPACT] (https://psypact.gov/) is an interstate compact that allows licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology and conduct temporary in-person psychological services across state lines among participating states.
## **Key Takeaways**
-- Louisiana psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree, two years (4,000 hours) of supervised experience, and passage of national, jurisprudence, and oral examinations.
-- Continuing education (40 hours every two years, including 3 hours in ethics) is required for license renewal.
-- School psychology credentials are available through both the LSBEP (LSSP) and the Department of Education (school-based certificate), with differing scopes of practice.
-- Louisiana does not participate in PSYPACT.
-- The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the Department of Education are the authorities for psychologist and school psychologist credentialing. Consult these agencies for current 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.