Making the decision to better your future with a career in psychology is a big choice and it is just the first step in a bigger process. To become a practicing psychologist in Pennsylvania, you will need to complete a multi-step process dictated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology (the Board). You must complete certain educational, experiential, and examination requirements. While the process can be complicated, this guide provides all the necessary step-by-step instructions.

Table of Contents

How to Become a Psychologist in Pennsylvania

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.

If you want to become a psychologist in Pennsylvania, the first main step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 semester credit hours and take four years to complete. While many psychologists have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you can also choose to study a related field, such as sociology or criminal justice. Keep in mind that if your bachelor’s degree is not in psychology, you may be required to take prerequisite coursework before entering a graduate program.

Many people decide to earn a master’s in psychology after completing their bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees in psychology typically take around two years to complete and require 30 to 40 credit hours. However, a master’s is not typically required for admission to a doctoral program, and many doctoral programs include a master’s degree as a part of the process.

2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.

The next step towards licensure in Pennsylvania is earning a doctoral degree. You can select a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Read about the differences between these two degrees. In Pennsylvania, your doctoral program must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Doctorates in psychology typically require five to seven years to complete, depending on the specific requirements of the program.

Doctoral programs include supervised experience working with clients under a licensed psychologist. The Board counts the predoctoral internship completed within an APA- or CPA-accredited doctoral program as one of the two years of supervised experience required for licensure in Pennsylvania.

Learn more about Psychology Schools in Pennsylvania.

3. Submit your initial application to the Board.

To register for the required licensing exams, you will need to submit an application through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Along with the application, you will need to submit a non-refundable fee of $105. The application also requires official transcripts verifying your education and degree status; documentation for any pre-doctoral supervised experience; a Databank Report from the National Practitioner Data Bank; and letters of reference. If you are licensed or credentialed in a professional occupation in Pennsylvania or another state, you must also submit a Letter of Good Standing.

Applicants must also complete a criminal background check and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).

4. Gain two years of supervised experience.

The Board requires prospective psychologists to earn two years of supervised experience. The predoctoral internship completed within an APA- or CPA-accredited doctoral program counts as one year. The second year is completed after the internship and requires at least 1,750 hours over a minimum of 12 months. At least 50% of those hours must involve direct clinical activities such as assessment, therapy, and supervision. Supervised experience must be verified by your supervisor(s).

5. Pass the Pennsylvania psychology licensing exams.

Prospective Pennsylvania psychologists must pass two exams intended to ensure knowledge and competency in the field. The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). In Pennsylvania, only Part 1: Knowledge of the EPPP series is required. You will receive approval to schedule and sit for the exam from the Board once your license application has been reviewed. The ASPPB provides practice exams to help you prepare for the test.

The second required exam is the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE). The PPLE covers state law and regulations specific to Pennsylvania. The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and is taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. One hour is allotted for completion and candidates must earn at least 75% to pass.

6. Receive your license to practice psychology in Pennsylvania.

Once the Board receives proof that you have passed the required exams and has determined that you have met all requirements, you will be granted your license as a psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Licensure by Reciprocity

Pennsylvania offers a license portability pathway for psychologists who hold an active, unencumbered psychologist license in another state with substantially equivalent requirements and have practiced for at least two of the past five years. Candidates must submit an application with supporting documentation through PALS. Approved candidates will need to take the PPLE before a license can be issued.

For those who wish to practice psychology in Pennsylvania via telehealth services or on a temporary basis (fewer than 30 days per calendar year) and are currently licensed in a PSYPACT jurisdiction, Pennsylvania is a PSYPACT state that recognizes the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and the Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP). To qualify for the APIT, you will need to hold an ASPPB E. Passport. The TAP requires an ASPPB Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC). You must apply for the E. Passport or IPC through the ASPPB. Once your qualifying credential is issued, you’ll be given instructions for applying for the APIT and/or TAP through PsyPro.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

In the state of Pennsylvania, you must renew your license every two years, due by November 30 of every odd-numbered year. Psychologists must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year period. This must include at least three hours in ethics, two hours in child abuse recognition and reporting, and one hour in suicide prevention. Up to 10 contact hours beyond the required 30 may carry over to the next renewal cycle, but carried-over hours cannot satisfy the ethics, child abuse, or suicide prevention requirements. The renewal fee is $300.

School Psychologist

In Pennsylvania, school psychologists are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). School psychologist certificates fall under the broader category of Educational Specialist. To earn a Level I Educational Specialist Certificate as a school psychologist, you will need to complete an approved preparation program in school psychology with a 3.0 GPA; be recommended for credentialing by the approved program completed; pass the Praxis School Psychologist exam; complete an approved internship of at least 1,000 hours; and pass a criminal history background check. Level I certificates are valid for a period of six service years. Once you meet additional requirements such as continuing education and years of experience, you can convert your certificate to a Level II Permanent Certificate.

Pennsylvania Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for psychologists in the state, excluding teachers, was $85,903 as of May 2021.1 Postsecondary psychologists earned an average annual salary of $88,340.1 Projections Central predicts that the number of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in Pennsylvania should grow by an average of 7.9% per year through 2030.2 The number of postsecondary psychology teachers is projected to increase even more rapidly, by 7.3% each year over the same 10-year period.2 Psychologist positions in the “all other” category are expected to grow 1.8% through 2030.2

OccupationNumber Employed1Average Annual Salary1
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists2,620$77,140
Industrial-Organizational PsychologistsN.Av.N.Av.
Psychologists, All Other430$100,290
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary2,580$88,340
School Psychologists1,680$80,280

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a psychologist in Pennsylvania?

The process to become a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania may take more or less time depending on the specific choices you make to complete your education and training. Most bachelor’s degree programs will take four years of full-time study. A master’s degree program will typically take two years but may take longer if you did not major in psychology during your undergraduate education. If you get your master’s degree during the course of your doctorate degree, it could shorten the total duration. A doctorate degree could take between four and seven years of study. Supervised experience and standardized tests are also required, which take additional time. As a rule of thumb, you should expect to spend around a decade preparing to become a psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania.

What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania?

To become a licensed psychologist with the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology, you must earn a doctorate degree. That degree can be either a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD).

How much money do psychologists make in Pennsylvania?

A psychology degree can allow a person to do many different specific types of work. In Pennsylvania, the average annual salary for psychologists (excluding educators) was $85,903 per year as of May 2021.1 Postsecondary teachers of psychology in the state earned an average of $88,340 per year.1

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Pennsylvania: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/4200000
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm