Maryland Psychology Licensure Requirements
If you are interested in practicing psychology in the state of Maryland, you can apply for a license through the Board of Examiners of Psychologists (the Board). In order to obtain licensure in the state of Maryland, you must meet educational requirements and complete supervised practice hours prior to completing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Below you will find a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you navigate how to become a licensed psychologist in Maryland.
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 Maryland
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.
The first high-level step in your journey towards becoming a psychologist is to obtain your bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degrees typically take about four years of full-time study to complete, which is equivalent to about 120 credit hours. You can obtain a bachelor’s degree in psychology or another field. However, if your degree is in another field, you will likely need to complete additional prerequisites before entering a graduate program in psychology.
Once you obtain your bachelor’s degree, you may choose to pursue a master’s degree in psychology or another related field, especially if your undergraduate degree was not in psychology or you would like to gain additional experience before applying to doctoral programs. It typically takes about two years of full-time study to complete a master’s degree in psychology, with programs requiring between 30-40 credits for program completion. In Maryland, if you have a master’s degree in clinical, counseling, or school psychology, you can register to practice psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist as a Psychology Associate.
It is important to note that some doctoral programs include a master’s degree as part of their study. Thus, if you choose to enter a doctoral psychology program that includes a master’s degree or that does not require a master’s degree for entry, you will not need to complete a stand-alone master’s program.
2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.
The next step towards becoming a licensed psychologist is to earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or approved by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. You can read about the differences between these two degree types on this page. Overall, doctoral degrees in psychology can take between four and seven years to complete depending on the program and school, if a master’s degree is included, and other factors.
In Maryland, you can qualify for licensure with a practice-oriented PsyD or PhD (i.e., a program geared towards clinical, counseling, or school psychology) or a non-practice-oriented program (i.e., a program not advertised as clinical, counseling, or school psychology). Practice-oriented programs must include at least 1,750 hours of an internship, 25% of which must be in direct service of clients, and must include at least two hours per week of individual, face-to-face supervision. These hours can be counted towards the supervised professional experience required for licensure.
For more information on the doctoral programs offered in Maryland, see our Psychology Schools in Maryland page.
3. Complete a minimum of 3,250 hours of supervised experience.
When applying for psychology licensure in Maryland as a graduate of a practice-oriented program, you must have completed a minimum of 3,250 hours of supervised professional experience. Specifically, a minimum of 1,750 of the hours must be completed within a 24-month period through an internship. The remaining 1,500 hours can be fulfilled at different phases of your psychology training such as pre-internship, pre-doctoral, post-internship, or post-doctoral periods. Of the full 3,250 required hours, a minimum of 75% (2,438 hours) must be face-to-face on-site hours under the supervision of a qualified psychologist. Internship supervisors will need to complete this form to verify your supervision, and post-doctoral supervisors will need to complete this form.
If you are applying for psychology licensure and did not attend a practice-oriented program, you must complete a minimum of 3,250 hours in professional work using psychological methods, principles, and procedures (e.g., research, teaching, assessment, or other experiences within the realm of psychology). These hours can be fulfilled before or after your doctoral degree. You must receive at least one hour per week of individual, face-to-face supervision.
4. Submit an application for examination to the Board.
Once you complete the supervised experience hours, you can submit an application for licensure to the Board using either the practice-oriented programs or the non-practice-oriented programs packet (contact the Board for further information on applying via the non-practice-oriented route). A $300 non-refundable fee is required with the application, and the application will not be reviewed if it is incomplete. As part of the application, you must send official transcripts from all graduate schools and include all additional supporting documentation such as applicable reference coversheets. You must also submit fingerprints and any associated fees to initiate a Criminal History Records Check.
5. Pass the Maryland psychology licensing exams.
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is considered the official psychology licensing exam in most states. The EPPP is a computerized exam comprised of 225 multiple-choice questions. A passing score is 500, which means that you passed about 73% of the questions on the exam. After you pass the EPPP, your score is submitted through the Board by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to the Board. There is an EPPP practice exam to help you prepare.
In addition, you must also take and pass the Maryland jurisprudence exam with a score of 75% or greater. There is a $250 fee associated with the jurisprudence exam and it covers the state’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and other state-specific regulations and laws pertaining to the practice of psychology.
6. Receive your license from the Board.
The Board will finalize their review of your application once they have your exam scores and will then approve your licensure application if you have satisfied all requirements.
Maryland Licensure by Reciprocity
Out-of-state psychologists will use the same application, but they must include a statement in the application detailing the reason why they are applying in Maryland. The state of Maryland does not have a formal reciprocity agreement with any other state, but it does offer limited reciprocity (for up to one year) for out-of-state applicants while they are waiting to take the jurisprudence exam. To qualify for limited reciprocity, out-of-state applicants must submit a written request and meet the following criteria: hold an active license from another state that is in good standing, be approved to take the Maryland Jurisprudence Exam, and be scheduled to take the next exam offered.
If you are certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) or credentialed as a Health Service Psychologist by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP), you may apply for licensure with the Board on an abbreviated application, which can be accessed through the same portal linked above.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Psychology licenses in Maryland are renewed every two years and expire on March 31. To renew your license, you must complete a Renewal Application for Licensure Form. Beginning in January 2023, the renewal process will be done online. In order to be eligible for renewal, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) within the two-year renewal period. A maximum of 20 CE hours can be independent credit hours. A minimum of three CE hours must be completed on content related to laws for practicing psychology, ethics, or managing risks during psychological practice. Additionally, a minimum of three CE hours must be dedicated to improving competence when providing services to culturally diverse populations. License renewal requires a $400 fee. The Board will randomly audit psychologists for proof of completed CE hours.
Related Licenses
Psychology Associate
In the state of Maryland, you also have the option to become a registered Psychology Associate. In order to become a psychology associate you must have a master’s degree in clinical, counseling, or school psychology from a program accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or have a master’s degree in education with a specialization in psychology or counseling psychology from a program accredited by CHEA, or be admitted to a doctoral program in psychology. Psychology associates can provide psychological services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist only, but may not practice independently. You must complete the online application and submit a Supervisory Form, official transcripts, and the required $200 processing fee to the Maryland Board. You must also complete a Criminal History Records Check. Psychology associate registration must be renewed every two years.
School Psychologist
In order to become certified as a school psychologist by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), you have four options: you can complete at least a master’s degree in a state-approved school psychology program and receive qualifying scores on the Praxis exam; complete at least a master’s degree in an out-of-state school psychology program that includes a 1,200-hour internship and receive qualifying scores on the Praxis exam; provide proof of a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board; or provide proof of a master’s or higher degree, a valid professional certificate in school psychology from another state, and verification of 27 months of satisfactory performance as a school psychologist during the past seven years.
For all pathways, you will submit an application for initial licensure through the online certification hub.
Maryland Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that, as of May 2021, clinical, and counseling psychologists in Maryland earn an average salary of $93,330 annually.1 Postsecondary teachers in psychology earn an average of $85,860 annually and school psychologists earn an average of $88,610, while “all other” psychologists in Maryland earn an average of $111,350 annually.1,2 Data from Projections Central predicts that the number of clinical, counseling, and school psychologist jobs in Maryland will increase by 8.9% between 2020 and 2030.2 The number of postsecondary psychology teachers is expected to increase by 14%, industrial-organizational psychologist jobs are expected to increase by 14.3%, and “all other” psychologist jobs are expected to increase by 4.2%.2
| Occupation | Number Employed1 | Average Annual Salary1 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 820 | $93,330 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Psychologists, All Other | 530 | $111,350 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 560 | $85,860 |
| School Psychologists | 1,000 | $88,610 |
Additional Resources
- Maryland Psychological Association (MPA): Statewide professional association which aims to advance psychology as a science, practice, and a way to promote wellbeing.
- Maryland School Psychologists Association (MSPA): Organization advancing the profession and practice of school psychology by providing professional learning opportunities, networking, and legislative advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a psychologist in Maryland?
The length of time it will take to become a licensed psychologist in Maryland depends largely on how long it takes you to complete your education. A bachelor’s degree can take about four years of full-time study, a standalone master’s degree can take about two more years of full-time study, and a PhD or PsyD program can take at least four or five years to complete, depending on the program. After completing your graduate education you are also required to complete post-doctoral experience. Finally, you must study for and pass the EPPP and then have your application approved by the state. Overall, the entire process may take about 10 years, but the exact length will vary depending on your unique situation.
What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in Maryland?
In the state of Maryland, licensed psychologists must have a PsyD or PhD degree in clinical, school, or counseling psychology. The degree in question must be from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association, the Canadian Psychological Association, or approved by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
How much do psychologists in Maryland make?
The BLS reports that as of May 2021, clinical and counseling psychologists in Maryland earn an average annual income of $93,330, school psychologists earn an average of $88,610, postsecondary psychology teachers earn an average of $85,860, and all other psychologists earn an average annual income of $111,350.1
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Maryland: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_md.htm
2. Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm