Idaho Psychology Licensure Requirements
In the state of Idaho, psychology licensure is overseen by the Board of Psychologist Examiners (the Board). To earn a license to practice psychology in Idaho, you must complete educational requirements including a doctoral degree in psychology, complete two years of supervised professional experience, and pass a national psychology exam. This page is meant to be a guide to help you through each step of becoming a licensed psychologist in Idaho.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Licensed Psychologist
- Licensure by Endorsement
- License Renewal and Continuing Education
- Related Licenses
- Jobs and Salary Information
- Additional Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Become a Psychologist in Idaho
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.
The first step to becoming a licensed psychologist is to complete a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years or about 120 credit hours. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject, but if it is not in psychology or a closely related subject, you will likely need to complete additional prerequisites before entering a graduate program.
After you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you may choose to complete a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology. This is optional because master’s degrees are typically not required for entry into doctoral psychology programs; in fact, many doctoral students earn master’s degrees during their doctoral programs. However, there can be benefits to earning a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology. For example, in Idaho, a master’s degree in a mental health field such as psychology can qualify you for licensure as a service extender, who works under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. A master’s degree can also help you meet prerequisites for a doctoral program if you did not study psychology as an undergraduate and it can give you more hands-on experience if you are still deciding whether to attend a doctoral program. If you choose to pursue a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology, know that they typically take about two years (30-40 credit hours) to finish.
2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.
After finishing your bachelor’s degree (and an optional master’s degree), the next step toward becoming a psychologist in Idaho is to earn a doctoral degree in psychology. There are two types of doctoral degrees in psychology: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Both of these degrees are accepted by the Board for licensure, but there are some key differences between them that are important to understand before you apply to programs. Doctoral degrees in psychology usually take between four and seven years to finish, depending on the requirements of your specific program.
To become licensed as a psychologist in Idaho, you must earn your doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited program that meets the Board’s educational requirements. Programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) are automatically accepted as meeting these criteria. If you do not attend an APA program, you will need to provide documentation that the program you attended meets the Board’s requirements, which include taking specific coursework and a 1,000-hour predoctoral internship that counts toward your supervised experience.
For more information about programs in the state, please visit our Psychology Schools in Idaho page.
3. Complete 2,000 hours of supervised experience in your area of training.
In Idaho, you must complete a total of two years (2,000 hours) of supervised experience, meaning that you are providing psychological services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Each year must consist of at least 1,000 hours of work experience, and at least one of these years must be completed after you have earned your doctoral degree. The first year of supervised experience will likely be earned during your required predoctoral internship. However, if you did not attend an APA-accredited program and the Board determines that your internship does not meet their educational requirements, you may need to complete an additional year of postdoctoral supervised experience to earn the required number of hours. While you are completing your experience hours, you must receive at least one hour of supervision per week for every 20 hours that you work.
4. Submit your application to the Board.
Once you have earned your doctoral degree and completed your SPE, the next step you should take is to submit an application to the Board. To do this, you will need to complete the Board’s Application for Psychology License and submit it along with $175 in application and exam administration fees. You must also request that your graduate transcripts be mailed to the Board and have your supervisors submit an Evaluation and Accreditation of Supervised Practice form.
5. Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
After you submit a satisfactory application to the Board, they will grant you permission to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which you will need to pass to earn your license. The EPPP is a national exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that assesses broad psychology knowledge, and it consists of 225 multiple-choice questions. To pass the EPPP, you will need to earn a scaled score of at least 500, and your scores will automatically be sent to the Board after you complete the test. There is a EPPP practice exam to help you prepare.
6. Receive your psychology license from the Board.
Once you have passed the EPPP and the Board has documentation that you have completed all of the required steps for licensure, they will issue your psychology license. The Board meets quarterly to review applications and you will receive notification within two to four weeks following the meeting. You cannot begin practicing independently in Idaho until you have received notification that they have issued your license.
Idaho Licensure by Endorsement
Idaho does not offer licenusre by reciprocity; however, if you are currently licensed in another state or Canada and planning to work in Idaho, you may be interested in applying for licensure by endorsement. You are eligible for licensure by endorsement if you hold a current license in another state and have a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ)
from the ASPPB; are registered with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists; hold a certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP); graduated from an APA-accredited doctoral program in psychology and have two years (at least one postdoctoral) of supervised experience; or graduated from a Board-approved doctoral program and have been practicing under your current license for at least five of the past seven years with no disciplinary actions.
To apply for licensure by endorsement or senior psychologist status, complete the Application for Psychology License and submit it to the Board along with a $250 application fee.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
After you have received a license to practice psychology in Idaho, you will need to keep it active by renewing it each year. Before renewing it, however, you must complete 20 continuing education (CE) hours. A variety of activities can be counted towards CE requirements, including organized CE programs affiliated with universities or psychological organizations, presentations at conferences, and producing publications.
There are some additional Board rules about CE credits. Only 10 CE hours during a renewal period can come from online activities and at least 14 hours must come from activities sponsored by educational institutions or psychological organizations. Every three years, you must complete at least four hours of CE activities pertaining to ethical and legal standards. If you earn more than the required number of CE credits during a renewal period, you can apply up to 20 hours to the next period.
Your license will expire every year on your birthday and the Board will mail you a renewal reminder about six weeks before the expiration date. Once you have completed all your CE credits, you can renew your license through the online portal. You will need to pay a renewal fee of $250 each year.
Related Licenses
Prescribing Psychologist
If you hold a current license to practice psychology in Idaho, you may choose to receive further licensure allowing you to prescribe medication. In order to do this, you must also receive at least a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from an accredited program that includes at least 400 hours of clinical experience in direct contact with at least 100 patients. You also must pass the national exam in psychopharmacology and submit a supervision agreement identifying the licensed prescribing psychologist who will supervise you and the nature of your supervised work experience. You then may submit an Application for Provisional Prescribing Psychologist Certification.
Once provisionally certified, you must complete 2,000 hours of supervised experience serving at least 50 patients and meeting one-on-one with your supervisor at least four hours per month. Each of your supervisors must submit a Conditional Prescribing Psychologist Supervised Hours form. Once your supervised hours are complete, you will submit a Prescribing Psychologist Certification Application to the Board along with a $250 application fee.
School Psychologist
To practice as a school psychologist in Idaho, you must either complete a master’s degree in education or psychology and a specialist degree in school psychology; complete an approved 60-credit hour master’s degree in school psychology; complete a 60-hour school psychology specialist degree without a master’s degree prerequisite, but with classroom experience and a 1,200-hour internship; or earn a National Certification for School Psychologists (NCSP) issued by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
In order to apply for a five-year renewable Pupil Service Staff certificate with an endorsement as a School Psychologist, you will need to submit an Idaho Educator Certification Application packet to the Idaho State Department of Education along with official transcripts and a $75 application fee. You will also need to complete a Background Investigation Check (BIC) and pay the associated processing fee.
Senior Psychologist
If you have held a license in the United States or Canada for at least 20 years and have been actively practicing for at least five of the past seven years with no disciplinary action against you, you are eligible to apply for licensure as a senior psychologist. You will submit the same application as for first-time licensure, along with a $250 application fee.
Service Extender
In Idaho, some tasks can be delegated by licensed psychologists to service extenders. Service extenders must hold a doctoral degree in psychology or a master’s degree in a mental health field, and be supervised by a licensed psychologist. The supervisor and service extender must enter into a supervision agreement that outlines the specific activities that fall within the service extender’s scope of practice, and the schedule of weekly supervision sessions and chart review. Service extenders must submit an application, official transcripts, and a $100 application fee.
Idaho Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that, as of May 2021, the average salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Idaho) was $77,070, the average annual salary for postsecondary psychology teachers was $81,250, the average salary for school psychologists was $53,760, and the average salary for “all other” psychologists was $84,0701
Across all specialties, the number of psychologist jobs in Idaho is expected to increase by an average of 8% between 2020 and 2030.2 Clinical, counseling, and school psychologist jobs will experience an expected growth of 7% (in comparison, these jobs are expected to increase by 10.4% on a national level).2 Similarly, postsecondary psychology teacher jobs are expected to increase by 9.1% (as compared to 10.2% nationally).2 However, it is not predicted that there will be any job growth in Idaho in the area of industrial-organizational psychology or “all other” psychology jobs during this time period.2
| Occupation | Number Employed1 | Average Annual Salary1 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 330 | $77,070 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Psychologists, All Other | 60 | $84,070 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 80 | $81,250 |
| School Psychologists | 340 | $53,760 |
Additional Resources
- Idaho Psychological Association (IPA): Organization dedicated to the advancement of the field of psychology in Idaho.
- Idaho School Psychologist Association (ISPA): Organization advocating and providing resources for school psychologists in Idaho.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a psychologist in Idaho?
Becoming a psychologist in Idaho usually takes about 10 years, though there is variability in this depending on the program you attend for your doctoral degree, how long it takes you to earn your supervised hours, and whether or not you choose to earn a stand-alone master’s degree.
What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in Idaho?
In Idaho, you need to earn a >doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-approved program or one that has equivalent training. These programs offer either Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees.
How much do psychologists in Idaho make?
The average salary for a psychologist in Idaho (excluding postsecondary psychology teachers) is $71,633.1 Postsecondary psychology teachers make an average of $81,250 per year.1 A psychologist’s salary, however, will depend on many factors, including location, years of experience, and type of employer.
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Idaho: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_id.htm
2. Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm