Wisconsin Psychology Licensure Requirements
If you are interested in becoming a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin, you are required to complete a doctoral degree in psychology, obtain supervised work experience, and pass state and national exams, according to the Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board (the Board). Because it can be a complex process, we’ve created this guide to help you navigate it. Below we detail all of the steps required to become a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.
The first step to becoming a psychologist in Wisconsin is to complete a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years (120 credit hours) of full-time study. You may choose to study psychology or another subject. If your undergraduate degree is in a subject other than psychology, you will likely have to take some prerequisite coursework before entering your graduate program.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, some people choose to enroll in a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology. This can be helpful if you’re interested in gaining experience before applying to doctoral programs. Master’s programs in psychology usually take two to three years (30-40 credit hours). However, many doctoral programs include master’s degrees in the curriculum, so getting a master’s degree is typically optional.
2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.
After you complete your bachelor’s degree, the next step toward becoming a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin is to earn a doctoral degree in psychology. Doctoral programs in psychology typically take four to seven years to complete and award either Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees. There are some differences between these degrees which you can read about in our comparison.
To be eligible for licensure in Wisconsin, your doctoral program must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or another accrediting organization the Board approves. The Board may also accept academic training it determines to be substantially equivalent, or credentials evaluated by an approved credential evaluation organization.
The doctoral degree must also include a supervised practicum or internship, or other field or laboratory training. Your program must include a supervised internship of at least 1,500 hours, completed after you finish all doctoral coursework. These hours count toward the supervised experience total.
For information on doctoral programs to consider in Wisconsin, visit our Psychology Schools in Wisconsin page.
3. Submit your application to the Board.
After completing your doctoral program, you must apply for a license using the LicensE application platform. You will need to submit official transcripts, authorization for a background check, and documentation of your supervised hours.
The initial credential fee is $60, and additional exam and processing fees apply at the time of application. For more information, see the Board’s credentialing information guide.
4. Pass the Wisconsin psychology licensing exams.
After the Board approves your application, you will receive instructions for taking the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
The EPPP is a national exam consisting of 225 multiple-choice items assessing broad knowledge of psychology. Registration costs $600 for the exam plus a $91.88 test site fee, both paid to the ASPPB. The passing standard is a scaled score of 500, the score the ASPPB recommends for independent practice.
The Board will also send you instructions for the Jurisprudence Exam, a computer-based test on the Wisconsin statutes and administrative code that govern the practice of psychology. To pass, you must score 80% or higher. For more information about the Jurisprudence Exam, see the Board’s page on examinations for psychologists.
5. Complete postdoctoral supervised experience in your area of training.
Before your psychology license can be issued, you also need to complete 2,000 hours of supervised work in psychology. The experience must take place over at least one year and no more than two years. Only hours earned after your degree is conferred may be counted.
Your primary supervisor must be a licensed psychologist with post-licensure experience and training in supervision and can’t be a relative. At least 25% of your hours must be face-to-face client contact. A total of 65% of hours must be face-to-face contact plus direct service, which includes note and report writing, studying test results, and case consultation.
Because internship hours are part of your doctoral program, you will have completed at least 1,500 hours before you apply for a license. You can earn the remaining hours before or after you submit your licensure application or take the licensing exams.
You need to notify the Board when you have finished these hours by having your supervisor(s) complete and submit the Verification of the Supervised Practice of Psychology form.
6. Receive your license.
Once you have completed your application, the licensing exams, and your supervised hours, you have met the requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. The Board will notify you when your license is issued. Be aware that you can’t begin practicing independently until the Board informs you of this.
Wisconsin Licensure by Reciprocity
If you are already licensed as a psychologist in another state, you may want to transfer your license to Wisconsin. To apply for licensure through reciprocity, you will need to apply using the LicensE application platform and pay the associated fees. You will also need to complete the Wisconsin Jurisprudence Exam.
Reciprocity applicants don’t retake the EPPP but must provide proof of passing this exam to the Board. Your license in the other jurisdiction must stay active until Wisconsin completes its review, and you will need each jurisdiction where you hold or have held a mental health credential to send verification directly to the Board. If the Board determines your credentials to meet those required by Wisconsin, they will issue you a license.
Wisconsin also participates in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). If you hold an active license in another compact state, you may be able to provide telepsychology services to clients in Wisconsin under a compact authorization rather than a Wisconsin license. Visit the PSYPACT website for further details and application requirements.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Once you have obtained a license to practice psychology in Wisconsin, your license must be renewed by September 30 of each odd-numbered year. You can complete the forms online via the LicensE renewal portal. There is a $66 fee for each renewal.
To be eligible to renew, you must have completed 40 hours of continuing education (CE). Six of your CE hours need to be earned from educational experiences related to jurisprudence, ethics, or risk management. CE hours earned in supervision or suicide prevention are multiplied by 1.5 (i.e., if you attend a four-hour CE opportunity in this category, it counts as six hours). Note that if you earn more CE hours than you need during a renewal period, you cannot carry them over to the next one.
Activities approved by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Wisconsin Psychological Association (WPA), and some other organizations are approved by the Board for CE hours. Other activities, such as graduate-level courses in psychology, teaching, or publishing books and articles, can also count. For a full list of qualifying organizations and activities, visit the Board’s page on continuing education.
Related Licenses
School Psychologist
In Wisconsin, school psychologist Pupil Services licenses are issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). To be eligible, you must complete an approved school psychologist preparation program at either the specialist level or the doctoral level. Either path must include a year-long supervised internship of 1,200 hours. The license covers grades PK-12. Visit the DPI Pupil Services License guide for more information.
Note that Wisconsin previously offered a separate private practice school psychologist license through the Psychology Examining Board, which allowed school psychologists to practice outside of schools. That license closed to new applicants on June 1, 2021. Holders who were licensed before that date may continue to renew. Anyone else who wants to practice psychology outside a school setting needs the psychologist license described above.
Wisconsin Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a psychologist in Wisconsin, excluding teachers, was $82,090 as of May 2021.1 Postsecondary psychology teachers earn an average salary of $81,270.1 The long-term outlook is positive for anyone seeking a job as a psychologist in Wisconsin. The total number of psychologist jobs (excluding educators) in Wisconsin is expected to increase by 4.3% between 2020 and 2030.2. Specifically, jobs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology are expected to increase by 5.1% during this time period, while psychology jobs in the “all other” category are expected to increase by 3.5%.2 Postsecondary psychology teachers jobs are projected to increase by 5.6%.2
| Occupation | Number Employed1 | Average Annual Salary1 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 1,800 | $86,750 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Psychologists, All Other | 230 | $86,000 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 720 | $81,270 |
| School Psychologists | 1,170 | $73,520 |
Additional Resources
- Wisconsin Psychological Association (WPA): State affiliate of the APA, hosting events, resources, and other resources for Wisconsin psychologists.
- Wisconsin School Psychologists Association (WSPA): Supports school psychologists in the state with professional development and networking opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a psychologist in Wisconsin?
To become a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin, you need to complete a bachelor’s degree, a doctoral degree, and at least one year of work experience. The amount of time this process can take varies, but generally takes around 10 years to complete.
What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin?
To become a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin, you need to earn either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology in or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree.
How much do psychologists in Wisconsin make?
The average psychologist in Wisconsin (excluding educators) earned $82,090 in May 2021.1 Factors that may impact psychologists’ salary include the type of psychology practiced, years of experience, proximity to a metropolitan area, and the demand for psychologists in your particular area.
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Wisconsin: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/5500000
2. Long Term Occupational Projections (2016-2026): https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm