How to Get Licensed as a Foreign-Trained Clinical Psychologist in the United States

Overcoming Initial Barriers to Practicing as a Clinical Psychologist in the U.S.

Upon arriving in the U.S. as a licensed clinical psychologist, you naturally aspire to continue your professional practice here. However, as you begin applying for positions, you realize that despite being legally eligible to work in the U.S., you are unable to immediately practice as a clinical psychologist because you need a license.

Nevertheless, the need to earn a living remains, and time doesn’t stand still. So you decide to take a job outside of your field. Even though you’re making enough money to get by, you’re not using your training and skills.

But there’s good news! If you were trained as a clinical psychologist in a foreign country, it is possible for you to validate the education you already have, get licensed as a clinical psychologist, and start practicing in the US. The accreditation process might seem overwhelming, so in this guide we will explain the steps you can take to get licensed as a clinical psychologist in the United States.

In this guide, we will address the following:

• The Benefits of Getting Licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in the U.S.
• Understanding Who Grants Your Psychologist’s License
• How to Effectively Contact Your State Licensing Board
• Evaluating Your Credentials for U.S. Clinical Psychology Practice
• Essential English Proficiency for Clinical Psychologists
• An Overview of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
• Resources for EPPP Exam Preparation
• Navigating Individual State Exams for Clinical Psychologists
• Maintaining Your Clinical Psychology License

The Benefits of Getting Licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in the U.S.

When you became a clinical psychologist, it was probably because you wanted to help other people. Or, maybe it was because you were fascinated by the human mind.

Career and Financial Rewards of U.S. Licensure

No matter what your motivations were, it turns out that clinical psychologists can make impressive salaries depending on what state they work in. In Massachusetts for instance, the average annual income of clinical psychologists is $107,000 a year according to Indeed.com. In New York, the income is estimated to be even higher at more than $132,000 a year.

Expanding Career Opportunities Beyond Therapy

While in many cases working as a clinical psychologist means directly providing therapy to clients, there’s an abundance of other job opportunities your career path could open up in the U.S. Clinical psychologists can find jobs working in schools, mental health clinics, hospitals, as researchers, and even as consultants for businesses and government agencies.

Leveraging Your Existing Degree for Success in the U.S.

So, even if you want to take your career in another direction, getting licensed to work in the States will allow you to earn an above-average salary while you keep building on the career you’ve already started. By using the degree you already have, you’ll be one step closer to your goal and avoid having to pay for school again.

Understanding Who Grants Your Psychologist’s License

A well-trained clinical psychologist can dramatically transform the lives of their clients through effective therapy. And when clients visit their psychologist, they need to share deeply personal information to make progress. So it makes sense that in the United States, clinical psychologists need to be licensed to legally practice. But the question remains, who actually grants psychologists their licenses?

State-Controlled Licensing for Psychologists

Even though there are national organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), licensing is controlled by each individual state.

For example, if you want to practice psychology in California, you’ll need to obtain your license through the California Board of Psychology. On the other hand, to practice psychology in Texas, you’ll need to be licensed by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.

The Role and Composition of State Psychology Boards

Usually, each state’s psychology board is made up of between eight and ten people who are psychologists, lawyers, educators or state politicians. These board members are typically appointed to their positions by their state’s governor or another state politician and serve terms of three to six years.

Professionals from various disciplines are appointed to state psychology boards because psychologists have an impact on more than just their clients. In reality, psychology research and practice can impact public policy, education, healthcare, and the legal system.

Now that we understand the specifics of a psychology state licensing board, let’s take a closer look at how to get in touch with your particular state’s licensing board.

How to Effectively Contact Your State Licensing Board

Finding and Accessing Your State Licensing Board’s Information

Considering the fact that each state has its own licensing board, it can feel confusing to know how to contact them. Luckily, the ASPPB has created an online directory of each state’s psychology board which includes their website, physical address, phone number, and email.

ASPPB Online Directory

Best Practices for Contacting Your State Licensing Board

You might feel the urge to contact your state’s psychology board by giving them a call if you have a quick question or you urgently want an answer. While a phone call is appropriate in some circumstances, state psychology boards usually prefer that you contact them through email.

Let’s go over some tips for emailing your state licensing board.

For starters, if English isn’t your first language, you can compose your email in your native language and then translate it to ensure you are clearly expressing your message. We can assist with professional translations if needed.

Then, even though it may seem obvious, make sure to include as much information as possible in your email when you send it. In the subject line, include a brief — less than 10 word — explanation of your email. For example, you might write “Licensing Guidance for a Psychologist from Mexico.”

In the body of your email, be sure to provide your full name, your phone, and your email address. You want to make it as easy as possible for the licensing board to respond to you.

Important Considerations When Contacting Licensing Boards

One last tip is to be mindful of the time and day you contact your licensing board. Most state licensing boards operate from 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. So, if you email or call the board when they’re out of the office, they probably won’t answer. And finally, remember the United States has multiple time zones. For example, there’s a three hour difference between New York and California. So, you might want to look up what time it is in the state you’re contacting.

Pay special attention to the links for Illinois and New York. These state licensing boards utilize an online contact form rather than an email address. However, when you receive your response it will be through your email

Evaluating Your Credentials for U.S. Clinical Psychology Practice

To practice clinical psychology in the United States you will need the equivalent of a doctoral degree in psychology. The two most common doctoral degrees for clinical psychologists are the Doctor of Philosophy, known as a Ph.D. and the Doctor of Psychology, known as a Psy.D.

Understanding Credential Evaluation for U.S. Licensure

One of the most important steps in obtaining your psychology license in the U.S., is getting your educational and professional experience evaluated.

Credential evaluations are so important because degrees sometimes have different names from one country to another. For example, you might have earned a “Doctorat en Psychologie Clinique” from France, but you don’t know if you can use that degree to practice psychology in the United States.

Navigating State-Specific Licensing Requirements

Understanding the requirements for obtaining a psychology license can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to the number of supervised clinical hours needed. Each state has its own criteria. For instance, to practice in New York, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 3,500 supervised hours over two years, while Florida requires 4,000 hours.

With these variables in mind, it’s smart to contact the licensing board of the state you wish to work in and request a list of credential evaluation services they recommend. In some cases, you can even find a list online. For example, Illinois, New York, and California each provide a list of recommended credential evaluation services.

Clinical psychology is a prestigious career path so your credential evaluation will need to be comprehensive. In general, you can expect the credential evaluation company to ask you for official sets of your academic record, which may include transcripts, mark sheets and examination statements. You’ll also need to provide documentation of your internships and licenses from your home country.

Credential evaluation companies require English translations of any foreign documents. These translations must be complete and word-for-word, so the best way to make sure they’re accurate is to have them completed by a professional translation service.

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Processing Times and Costs for Credential Evaluations

Bear in mind that the evaluation process can take a few weeks, but expedited services are often available for an additional fee. Evaluating a doctoral degree usually requires more time and may cost between $300 and $500.

One last thing to consider is that these agencies can send the evaluation directly to the psychology board in the state you want to work in. In some cases, this may even be better because sometimes the licensing board may require that the evaluation and translation come directly from the evaluation or translation agencies to ensure the authenticity of the documents.

Essential English Proficiency for Clinical Psychologists

The Importance of English Proficiency for Psychologists

If you’re hoping to start a career as a psychologist in the U.S., it’s vital that you can prove your English reading and speaking abilities.

Whether you become a research psychologist for an organization or work with patients in a clinical setting, strong English skills will allow you to build trust with potential employers or clients. Proficiency in English will allow you to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, maintain detailed medical records, and engage in continuing education to stay current in the field and maintain licensure.

Proving Your English Skills: TOEFL and IELTS Exams

Two of the most widely recognized exams people use to demonstrate their English proficiency are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Both of these exams allow you to prove your proficiency in English and may help you land a job after you get your license.

An Overview of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)

Introduction to the EPPP Exam

One thing that’s consistent across virtually every state in the U.S. is that you’ll need to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology which is casually called the “E triple P” by most people in the psychology community.

This exam is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards which is a national association.

In addition to the national exam, some individual states may require you to take an exam that’s tailored to their specific laws and practices. But first let’s discuss the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

EPPP Exam Structure and Content

The test is computer-based and is made up of 225 multiple-choice questions. You’ll have four hours and 15 minutes to finish, aiming for a score of 500 or higher which is about 70% of the questions.

Each question offers four choices with only one correct answer. The good news is, incorrect answers don’t count against you, so guessing won’t hurt your score. Your total number of correct responses determines your score, so it’s wise to guess even if you’re not sure.

The EPPP is divided into two parts.

Part 1

Part 1 covers biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, and lifespan development. Part one also goes over psychological assessment as well as treatment and intervention.

Part 2

Part 2 presents test-takers with clinical scenarios and asks them to apply their knowledge and skills to analyze and solve problems. This part of the exam is designed to assess your ability to integrate and apply psychological principles in clinical settings.

EPPP Exam Fees and Scheduling

The exam fee is $450, with possible additional state fees. You’ll also probably need to pay a $65 fee when you schedule with your local testing center.

After you finish the EPPP, your score will automatically be registered into the ASPPB’s permanent record system. However, you may need to wait up to 10 business days before you can see your score posted online.

After your score has been posted online, you’ll need to formally request to have your score transferred to the state licensing board where you’re seeking licensure. If you decide to go with the standard EPPP score transfer service, it will probably take about four weeks for ASPPB to send your score.

However, the ASPPB offers an expedited service for $115 in which they’ll send your score to their state’s licensing board within five days after receiving your request.

If you score below 500, you’ll receive an exam feedback report detailing performance in each domain to guide your study focus. If you don’t pass, you’ll need to contact your state’s licensing board to see when you can retake the exam.

Resources for EPPP Exam Preparation

Recommended EPPP Study Guides and Materials

While there are a variety of EPPP study books and apps to download, a book called the “EPPP Step One Exam Review” is highly rated among folks who’ve already taken and passed the exam. The study guide provides test-taking tips as well as 450 practice questions.

Another company offering study materials for the EPPP is called Mometrix. For starters, you’ll see that Mometrix sells a large study guide on Amazon. But if you take a deeper dive into the company’s resources you’ll find a separate flash card system for sale. Beyond these physical resources, Mometrix offers an array of youtube instructional videos and an online practice test.

Online Test Preparation Platforms

If you’re looking for a thorough online test prep, you can also visit study.com/eppp which offers over 1000 practice questions and more than 200 video lessons all for a monthly subscription cost.

However, study.com also offers a free mobile app with what feels like an endless amount of resources. After downloading the app, simply search “EPPP” and you’ll find 38 chapters. Each chapter you click on offers between 3 and 10 video lessons and a free “chapter practice test” at the end of the section. The study.com app is one of the most extensive, free resources you’ll find online.

Community Support and Discussion Forums

Another great resource is an online forum hosted by studentdoctor.net. Anyway, when you get to the website you’ll see posts written by people who have already become clinical psychologists and people who are asking questions regarding both the EPPP and specific state exams. Just post your inquiry and you’ll receive responses from people in the clinical psychology community.

You can also search Facebook for groups of other people who are studying for the EPPP. The following are just a few:

• EPPP Study and Support Facebook Group
• EPPP Exam Study Group (2024 and on) Facebook Group

After requesting to join these, or any other group you find, you’ll be able to chat directly to other people who are studying for the EPPP.

Navigating Individual State Exams for Clinical Psychologists

Besides the EPPP, many states have their own specific exam for aspiring psychologists. The great thing is, these state exams are often much shorter.

The purpose of these state exams is to ensure psychologists understand the unique laws governing each state. Through a quick search online you can usually look up the names of these state exams very easily. But let’s take a look at a few.

California

In California, aspiring psychologists will have to take the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination, or CPLEE. This is a timed test with 100 multiple-choice questions, and candidates typically have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete it.

Texas

In Texas, you’ll need to take the Texas Jurisprudence Exam. This is a 50-question test, and you need to answer at least 75% correctly, which is about 38 questions, to pass. Candidates will have three attempts to pass the exam.

Florida

For Florida, there’s the Florida Laws and Rules Examination, which is called FLARE for short. The FLARE is a computer-based test consisting of 50 multiple choice questions, but only 40 are scored. You’ll be given 60 minutes to complete the exam and you can find a study packet online to help you prepare.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, aspiring psychologists will have to take the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam. This is a 25-question test covering laws and regulations relevant to psychology practice in the state. The questions are true or false.

New York and Illinois

If you’re hoping to practice psychology in New York or Illinois, you’ll be happy to find out there’s no state-specific exam in either state. You’ll only need to take the EPPP.

Maintaining Your Clinical Psychology License

After passing the EPPP and your individual state’s exam, you’ll need to wait to hear back from the state you plan to live and practice psychology in. But even after you obtain your psychology license, that’s not the end of your process because you’ll need to keep it up to date.

License Renewal Periods and Requirements

Clinical psychologists in every state will need to go through a few steps to maintain their license so they can continue practicing. Though the process varies slightly from state to state, generally here’s what you’ll need to do.

For starters, in almost every state within the U.S. a psychologist’s license needs to be renewed every two years except for in New York state, where you’ll only need to renew your license every three years.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Within these two or three year renewal periods, you’ll also need to take classes that are called “continuing education” or “professional development” courses. The number of hours of continuing education you’ll need also varies by state, but generally falls between 20 and 40 hours. So for example, the state of California requires psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year licensure period.

License Renewal Fees Across States

Finally, you’ll need to pay a fee each time you renew your license. This fee typically costs between $200 and $500 with Florida’s renewal fee being one of the most expensive at $610 every two years.

Each state is different and has its own fees, continuing education requirements, and license renewal guidelines, so it’s always wise to do your own research depending on which state you want to practice in. But, let’s take a look at the specific requirements psychologists need to maintain their licenses in just a few of the most popular states for immigrants.

California

Let’s start with California. Psychologists here are required to complete 36 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee costs $530.00 and can be paid online.

Florida

Turning our focus to Florida, licenses remain valid for two years. In addition to 35 general hours of continuing education, psychologists must complete two hours of medical errors training and three hours of ethics and Florida psychology law during each renewal cycle. Furthermore, every six years, two hours of domestic violence training are required, for a total of 38 to 40 hours. The renewal fee in Florida is $610.00.

Illinois

In Illinois, psychology licenses expire on September 30 of every even-numbered year. Renewal entails a fee along with documentation proving completion of at least 24 hours of continuing education over the previous 2 years. The renewal fee for Illinois is $160.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, licenses must be renewed by June 30 of every even-numbered year. Psychologists are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The renewal fee in Massachusetts is $270.

New Jersey

Transitioning to New Jersey, licenses require renewal every two years at a cost of $300. All psychology licenses in New Jersey expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. To renew, psychologists must obtain 40 continuing education credits.

New York

Next, in New York, psychologists must renew their licenses every three years, completing a total of 36 hours of approved continuing education courses. The renewal fee for New York is $179.

Texas

Finally, in Texas, license renewal is required every 2 years, along with completion of 40 hours of continuing education within that period. The renewal fee for Texas stands at $424.

Now you know it’s possible to become licensed as a clinical psychologist in the United States. Even though the process can seem daunting, it’s definitely worth it in the end!

After going through this process, you’ll be able to begin your career as a psychologist in the U.S. You’ll almost certainly be earning more money as a psychologist than you would by taking a job that doesn’t require a license.