Psychologist licensure in Pennsylvania requires a doctoral degree, supervised experience, and successful completion of national and state-specific examinations. Separate credentials exist for school psychologists and do not confer authority for independent clinical practice outside educational settings.
Primary Licensing Authority
The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology is responsible for psychologist licensure in Pennsylvania.
Licensed Psychologist Requirements
Education Requirements
- A doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the APA, CPA, or designated by the ASPPB/National Register (or successor organizations) is required.
- Licensed psychologists must complete 30 continuing education hours every biennium, including:
- 3 hours in professional ethics,
- 2 hours in child-abuse recognition and reporting,
- 1 hour in suicide prevention.
- 3 hours in professional ethics,
- Initial licensure applicants must also complete 3 hours of child-abuse CE training.
Supervised Experience Requirements
- Applicants must complete two years of supervised experience (minimum 3,500 hours).
- An APA/CPA-accredited pre-doctoral internship fulfills one year (1,750 hours).
- The remaining year may be completed through a combination of practicum and/or post-internship supervised experience.
- An APA/CPA-accredited pre-doctoral internship fulfills one year (1,750 hours).
- Act 53 of 2016 removed the prior mandate that one year must be post-doctoral; the total requirement remains two years of supervised experience meeting Board standards.
Examination Requirements
- Applicants must pass both:
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), and
- Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE), covering state laws and ethical regulations.
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), and
Other Psychology Licenses in Pennsylvania
School Psychologist
Certification for school psychologists is separate from Board licensure and is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
Credentialing Requirements
- Applicants must complete a state-approved graduate-level program in school psychology that leads to certification and aligns with NASP standards.
- A specialist- or doctoral-level degree is required.
- A 1,200-hour supervised internship must be completed, with at least 600 hours in a school setting.
- Applicants must achieve a passing score on the Praxis School Psychologist (5403) examination.
- FBI and Pennsylvania background checks are required prior to certification.
Certification Levels
- Educational Specialist I: Entry-level certificate valid for six years of service.
- Educational Specialist II: Permanent certificate following three years of experience and PDE induction completion.
Scope of Practice
- School psychologists certified by PDE may provide psychological services within PK–12 educational settings, including:
- Psychological and educational assessment,
- Counseling, consultation, and intervention,
- Support for behavioral, emotional, and academic development,
- Crisis prevention and response,
- Participation in special education evaluations and IEP development.
- Psychological and educational assessment,
- This credential limits practice to educational settings; independent or clinical psychological practice requires separate licensure from the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology.
Scope of Practice Considerations
- The Pennsylvania psychologist license covers the full scope of applied psychology practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and consultation) without distinct specialty titles.
- School psychologist certification limits practice to educational settings only.
PSYPACT Status in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a participating PSYPACT state. PSYPACT 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
- Pennsylvania psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree, 3,500 hours of supervised experience, and passage of the EPPP and Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination.
- Thirty hours of continuing education are required every biennium, including specific content in ethics, child abuse, and suicide prevention.
- School psychologist certification is separate, with distinct requirements and a scope limited to educational settings.
- Pennsylvania participates in PSYPACT, permitting eligible psychologists to provide services across state lines under the Compact.
- The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology 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.
