New Jersey Psychology Licensure Requirements
In New Jersey, psychologist licenses are issued by the State Board of Psychological Examiners (the Board). To become a practicing psychologist in New Jersey, you will need to complete a doctoral degree in psychology, pass national and state examinations, and complete at least two years of supervised work. On this page, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for becoming a psychologist in New Jersey.
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 Jersey
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.
The first step towards becoming a psychologist in New Jersey is to complete a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree takes about four years to complete, with approximately 120 credit hours. Although many future psychologists major in psychology, some major in related areas such as social work. Keep in mind, however, that if your bachelor’s degree is not in psychology or a closely related subject, you will likely have to complete some prerequisite coursework before acceptance to a graduate psychology program.
Some people choose to complete a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology after the bachelor’s degree. This isn’t required, as many doctoral programs include a master’s degree. However, it can be helpful if you didn’t major in psychology. Stand-alone master’s degrees in psychology usually take around two years of full-time coursework and require between 30 and 40 credit hours.
2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.
After completing a bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if you choose), the next step is to complete either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Either degree fulfills the doctorate requirement for licensure in New Jersey. To learn more about the differences between these degrees, see our PhD to PsyD comparison. PhD and PsyD programs both typically take four to seven years to complete.
In New Jersey, applicants for psychologist licensure must have attended a doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or which meets equivalent standards.
For more information about doctoral programs in New Jersey, please see our guide to Psychology Schools in New Jersey.
3. Submit your initial application to the Board.
After completing your doctoral degree, the next step is to submit an application for a Three-Year Permit. The Three-Year Permit allows license candidates to complete supervised clinical hours. Requirements include a $125 application fee; official transcripts; an abstract of your doctoral dissertation; a passport-style photograph; and two Certificates of Good Moral Character. You will also need to complete a criminal background check.
When applying for the three-year supervised permit, you should include the Application for Proposed Supervisors for each prospective clinical experience supervisor.
4. Gain two years of supervised clinical experience in psychology.
New Jersey psychologists must complete two years (3,500 hours) of full-time supervised clinical experience before becoming licensed. At least 1,750 of these hours must be obtained after completing the doctoral degree. The Board also specifies that each year must consist of at least 1,000 client contact hours, 200 hours of supervision, and 550 hours of support/administrative work. Your supervisors for these hours must be psychologists who have been licensed for at least two years (either in New Jersey or in the state where you are completing the hours). At least 100 of the supervision hours must be on a one-to-one basis. You will need to document your hours using the Supervisory Form for Psychology Candidates.
5. Pass the New Jersey psychology licensing exams.
After your application is approved, the Board will allow you to take the psychology licensing exams. The first exam is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). This exam assesses broad knowledge of psychology and consists of 225 multiple-choice questions. A scaled score of 500 or more is required to pass.
Within 90 days of passing the EPPP, you will need to take the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam. This 25-question online exam tests your knowledge of laws and statutes relevant to practice in New Jersey. The Jurisprudence Exam costs $100.
6. Submit any remaining application materials and receive your psychology license from the Board.
After all required materials and forms have been submitted to the Board, you will need to pay the $300 initial license fee (prorated to $150 if submitted during the second year of the renewal period). Once your application is approved, you will receive your license from the Board.
New Jersey Licensure by Reciprocity
New Jersey doesn’t share reciprocity with other states. Psychologists who plan to physically work in New Jersey for a maximum of 10 consecutive business days, and not more than 15 days in a three-month period, may qualify for temporary permission to practice. The required documents and application instructions can be found on the Board website.
Psychologists licensed in other states seeking work in New Jersey on a more consistent basis must submit an online application for Practicing Psychologist. To qualify, you must have completed at least two years of practice within the last five years and have completed education, experience, and exam requirements substantially equivalent to those of New Jersey.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Psychologist licenses in New Jersey must be renewed every two years, with all licenses expiring on June 30 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $300. To be eligible for renewal, psychologists must complete 40 continuing education (CE) credits. Four credits must cover domestic violence, and one credit must cover prescription opioid drugs. At least 20 credits must be directly related to psychology and be approved by the APA, the ASPPB, the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP), or the American Medical Association (AMA). Up to 20 credits can come from approved activities such as publishing articles or giving presentations. If you earn more than 40 CE credits in a renewal period, up to 10 can be carried forward to the next renewal.
Related Licenses
School Psychologist
In order to qualify for a School Psychologist Standard Certificate with the State of New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), you need a state-approved master’s degree or higher from an accredited school. If completed in a state other than New Jersey, the master’s degree must include 60 graduate credit hours distributed across five required topic areas. Candidates must also complete a 300-hour practicum and a 1,200-hour externship. The application is available through the New Jersey Educator Certification (NJEdCert) Portal.
New Jersey Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average psychologist salary in New Jersey as of May 2021, excluding teachers, was $108,937.1 Clinical and counseling psychologists earned an average annual salary of $143,150, which is the highest in the nation.1,2 Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in New Jersey jobs are expected to increase by 10.5% between 2020 and 2030, while postsecondary psychology teacher jobs are expected to increase by 11.3%.3
| Occupation | Number Employed1 | Average Annual Salary1 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 910 | $143,150 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Psychologists, All Other | 330 | $95,090 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,300 | $99,230 |
| School Psychologists | 2,560 | $88,570 |
Additional Resources
- New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA): Includes information on local CE opportunities, networking opportunities, and professional development discounts.
- New Jersey Association of School Psychologists (NJASP): Serves the mental health and educational interests of New Jersey children by supporting and advancing the practice of school psychology in New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a psychologist in New Jersey?
The process of becoming a psychologist in New Jersey is not short; it requires approximately 10 years of education after finishing your high school degree as well as additional supervised experience after you have earned a doctoral degree. However, completing these steps can lead to a rewarding, well-paid career.
What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in New Jersey?
To become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, you will need to earn either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree. These will need to be earned through programs that are accredited by certain psychology organizations or meet similar requirements.
How much do psychologists in New Jersey make?
Psychologists in New Jersey are well-paid; on average, psychologists in the state (excluding teachers) earned $108,937 per year as of May 2021.1 Clinical and counseling psychologists earned $143,150, the highest in the nation as of May 2021.1
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, New Jersey: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/3400000
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes193033.htm
3. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm