New York Psychology Licensure Requirements
The licensing process for psychologists in New York begins with the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions (OP or Department). To become a licensed psychologist, you must complete the educational, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing process in New York can be overwhelming. To make it easier, we have put together this step-by-step guide to help you through the process.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Licensed Psychologist
- Licensure by Reciprocity
- License Renewal and Continuing Education
- Related Licenses
- Jobs and Salary Information
- Additional Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Psychologist in New York
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology or another field is the first step toward becoming a psychologist. A bachelor’s degree, which amounts to around 120 semester credits, usually takes about four years to complete if you are attending school full time. Your bachelor’s degree can be in any subject, but keep in mind if you major in something other than psychology, you will likely need to take some prerequisite coursework before you enter a graduate program.
Once your bachelor’s degree is complete, you may decide to obtain a master’s degree in psychology or a field related to psychology. The programs at each school will differ, but typically you must obtain 30 to 40 semester credits for a master’s in psychology, which takes around two years of full-time study. It is worth noting that many universities offer a combined master’s and doctoral program that allows you to work on both degrees as part of the same program. If you choose to go this route, you will not have to apply for a stand-alone master’s program.
2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.
You can earn two types of doctorate degrees in psychology. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology is typically for those who also want to teach or do research in a college or university setting. A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is typically for those who want to do clinical work and it includes different types of degrees: clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and school psychology, among others. For details on the differences between the two types of doctoral degrees, see our home page. New York psychologists must have a doctoral degree of either kind from a program registered by the OP as licensure qualifying, a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) in health service psychology, or a program that the Department has determined to be a “substantial equivalent.” You can often find out if the university offers a program acceptable to the OP from the school’s course catalog. If you are not sure the program meets the requirements, contact the OP.
The doctorate must be comprised of at least two full-time study years or the part-time equivalent and include coursework in certain areas. At least 30 hours of the coursework must have occurred at the university that grants the doctorate. Applicants must also complete a one-year practicum, internship, field experience, or applied research during their doctoral program, up to one year (1,750 hours) of which may be counted towards the supervised experience required for licensure. More information about educational requirements can be found on the OP website. For more information about psychology doctoral programs in the state, visit our New York schools page.
3. Submit your application to the Office of Professions for a Limited Permit.
Once you have completed your doctorate degree, you can apply for a limited permit to practice psychology under supervision, counting toward the mandatory two years of experience you need to be fully licensed. The permit is valid for an aggregate of three years but an extension of one year may be granted in certain cases. The fee is $70. The fees must be sent by check or money order to the Department. You will also need to complete your part of the Certification of Professional Education form and then send it to your educational institution to complete the rest. They will send the completed form, along with an official transcript, to the OP.
4. Gain two years of supervised experience in your area of training.
The Department requires applicants to have field experience that is supervised for two years, or 1,750 clock hours each year. Applicants can also have a part-time equivalent, but the full-time and part-time experience must be consistent with the state’s education law. Applicants must complete at least one of the two experience years after they have completed their doctorate degree and dissertation. The Board will accept a doctoral-level practicum or internship or research approved by a university for up to one year (1,750 clock hours) as long as the experience was not included in your dissertation or thesis. If you taught psychology at a university or college, this may also be accepted if it meets the supervised experience requirements of the state’s education law.
The experience must be supervised by a qualified, licensed psychologist who designs and coordinates the program. The supervisor must be employed as your consultant and you must have a title that reflects your training status. He or she must be employed by or own the practice where the experience is obtained. The supervisor must have at least two hours of weekly supervision that includes one-hour of face-to-face supervision that addresses the services you provide. The supervisor accepts the responsibility for your services while you are gaining experience to get your license. A supervisor must complete their part of the Form 5A.
The Office of Professions requires that experience be continuous for at least six months. If the experience is gained in an academic setting, it must be within a period of no less than one semester. The teaching experience must be not less than six credit hours per semester. The six-month periods are not required to be consecutive.
5. Pass the Examination for Professional Practices in Psychology (EPPP).
New York State requires that applicants pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). New York accepts a scaled score of 75, meaning the applicant must get 70% of the questions correct. Once you have submitted your application, the Office of Professions will determine if you are eligible, then send the notice to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), which will notify you as to when you can register for the exam. You will establish an online account and can sign up to take the exam at a time that is convenient for you. You can find a practice exam on the ASPPB website.
6. Submit the rest of your application documents.
Once you have passed the exam and completed your supervisory experience, you will need to submit the exam scores, proof of supervisory experience, and an application fee of $294 to the Office of Professions. You can upload additional documentation to your application online.
7. Receive your full psychology license.
Once the previous steps have been fulfilled and when the Board determines that your application is complete, you will receive your license to practice psychology in New York.
New York Licensure by Reciprocity
Psychologists who are already licensed in another state can apply for a New York license by reciprocity. If you have already passed the EPPP, you should include your score with your application. If you have not taken the EPPP, you can ask your jurisdiction to submit a copy of the exam you took so that the Office of Professions can determine if it is comparable to the EPPP. The Certificate for Professional Qualifications is not accepted by New York. The licensing fees are the same as for in-state applicants.
Out-of-state psychologists who wish to be licensed in New York can also apply for a limited permit so that they can practice in New York while they await their full license. The applicant must have resided in the state for a time of not more than six months before the application is filed, have qualifications approved for the examination for licensure, and have those qualifications approved by the Office of Professions. These permits are only valid for 12 months, 10 days after an applicant is notified that he or she failed the professional licensing exam, or until the exam results are released.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
New York requires all mental health counselors, including psychologists, to complete 36 hours of continuing education credits from a Department-approved provider during each three-year registration period. Since this requirement recently changed, you can view the chart on the Board website to see how many credits you will need to have for each registration period through January 2024. If you change your name or address between the registration periods, you must notify the state. A license is good for life but psychologists are required to register every three years. The first registration renewal after initial licensure is prorated to move licensees to the month of birth renewal. You should receive a renewal notice about four months before each registration period ends.
Related Licenses
School Psychologist
To become a school psychologist in New York, you must apply through the New York State Education Department (NYSED). In order to qualify for an Internship Certificate, you must be enrolled in and have completed at least half of a New York state-approved registered program in school psychology, submit a recommendation from your institution of study, complete the workshop on the “Dignity For All Students Act,” and pass a fingerpring/background check. Once you have graduated, you may be eligible for a Provisional Certificate as a school psychologist through two different pathways. For the first (approved teacher preparation program), you must have either completed a registered program in school psychology, have the recommendation from your institution, complete the Dignity For all Students Act workshop, and pass the background check. For the second pathway (individual evaluation) hold a bachelor’s degree and at least 60 credit hours of graduate coursework in psychology, have completed a college-supervised internship in school psychology, and three workshops (on child abuse, school violence, and dignity for all students), and pass the background check. A Permanent Certificate is available with four different pathways that all include gaining at least two years of experience as a school psychologist and permanent residence or US citizenship status.
New York Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information
The average salary for psychologists in New York, excluding educators, was $107,377 per year as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 New York has the highest employment level for postsecondary psychology teachers and is the third-highest paying state for this group.2 It has the second-highest employment level for clinical and counseling psychologists and is the fifth-highest of any state.3 New York also has the third-highest employment level for school psychologists and is also the second-highest paying for that group.4
The long-term projection through 2030 for anyone pursuing psychology in New York is good, according to Projections Central.5 For clinical, counseling, and school psychologists there are expected to be 1,100 annual openings and a growth rate for the field of 13.5%.5 Postsecondary psychology teaching is the fastest-growing field at 17.5%.5 Psychology jobs in the “all other” category are expected to see a growth of 6.2%.5
| Occupation | Number Employed1 | Average Annual Salary1 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 4,220 | $120,350 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Psychologists, All Other | 450 | $104,140 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 3,680 | $104,580 |
| School Psychologists | 6,290 | $97,640 |
Additional Resources
- New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP): Serves children and their families by promoting best practices in school psychology.
- New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA): Provides resources that include discounts on business development tools, health insurance, and advertising, and featuresa referral service that matches patients and professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a psychologist in New York?
In most cases, it takes more than a decade to become a licensed New York psychologist. The educational requirements from bachelor’s degree to doctorate degree can take about 10 years if you are attending school full time. One of the requirements is two years of supervisory experience. You can obtain one year of your required two years of supervisory experience while you are working on your doctoral degree and the other after you have graduated.
What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in New York?
New York accepts two doctorate degrees in order to get licensed to practice psychology in New York. Both a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology will qualify you. Read about their differences on our home page.
How much do psychologists in New York make?
On average, psychologists in New York earned $107,377 per year as of May 2021.1 Psychology postsecondary teachers earned an average of $104,580 per year as of May 2021, the third-highest in the nation.1
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, New York: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ny.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021,Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251066.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021 Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193033.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021 School Psychologists: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193034.htm
5. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm