Pennsylvania Psychologist License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania, you need a doctoral degree from an APA-, CPA-accredited, or otherwise Board-approved program, two years of supervised experience including at least a minimum of 1,750 postdoctoral hours, and passing scores on both the EPPP and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination. The full path typically takes around 10 or more years, depending on program length and training path.
Becoming a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania takes real commitment. The doctorate is non-negotiable, the supervised hours are specific, and the state administers its own jurisprudence exam in addition to the national one. What you get in return is one of the broader scopes of practice in human services: the ability to independently assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health conditions. Whether your goal is a hospital in Philadelphia, a school district in Pittsburgh, or a private practice somewhere in between, the license is what opens those doors.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the mean annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Pennsylvania was about $103,980 (BLS, May 2024 data).
Here’s how to get there, step by step.
Educational Requirements
Pennsylvania requires a doctoral degree to practice psychology independently. The state accepts a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Psychology, provided the program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or is otherwise designated as equivalent by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) or approved by the Pennsylvania Board.
Most people come into doctoral programs with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, followed by a master’s degree. Some doctoral programs award a master’s degree along the way. Others expect you to have one before you apply. Either way, the doctoral degree is the credential that matters for licensure. A master’s alone doesn’t qualify you to practice as a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania.
PhD programs tend to emphasize research and teaching alongside clinical training. PsyD programs are more practice-focused. Both are valid paths to licensure in Pennsylvania. Your choice depends on whether you want a career centered on clinical work, research, or a combination of both.
Supervised Experience Requirements
Pennsylvania requires two years of supervised experience before you can apply for a full license. How those two years are structured matters.
Up to 1 year may count toward your doctoral program, provided it is a predoctoral internship or practicum completed during your doctoral program and meets Pennsylvania Board requirements and the state’s minimum threshold of 1,750 hours over 12 months.
The second year must be completed after you earn your doctorate. This is your postdoctoral supervised experience, and it’s required regardless of how many hours you logged during your program. Pennsylvania law sets the postdoctoral requirement at a minimum of 1,750 hours over at least 12 months. At least 50 percent of those hours must involve direct clinical activities: assessment, therapy, diagnosis, consultation, or supervision. You’ll also need at least two hours per week of individual face-to-face supervision with your primary supervisor.
While you’re completing postdoctoral hours, you practice under a formal designation. This is typically a Board-recognized supervised practice status (often referred to as Psychology Resident), which allows you to work under a licensed psychologist’s supervision while you accumulate the required hours. Once you finish and pass your exams, you can apply for full licensure as a Licensed Psychologist (LP).
Pennsylvania law and regulations governing supervised experience requirements can be found on the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology’s laws and regulations page. Requirements can change, so verify current standards directly with the Board before starting your postdoctoral placement.
Examinations
Pennsylvania requires candidates to pass two exams before a license is issued.
The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a national exam required in all U.S. jurisdictions and administered through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). It covers eight content areas, including biological bases of behavior, assessment, treatment, and ethics. Pennsylvania currently requires a passing score of about 500 (scaled). You can find registration information and study resources at ASPPB.net.
The second is the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE), a state-specific test covering the laws, regulations, and ethical standards that govern psychology practice in Pennsylvania. It consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and is administered at a computer testing center. The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology provides study materials to help you prepare.
Both exams can be taken after you’ve completed your postdoctoral hours, though some candidates begin preparing for the EPPP well before that point.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Pennsylvania psychology licenses renew on a two-year cycle. To renew, you’ll need to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period. At least three of those hours must cover ethics and professional conduct. For your original license, you’ll also need three hours of board-approved CE in child abuse recognition and reporting before renewal.
Approved CE providers and renewal instructions are available through the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
If you’re already licensed in another state, Pennsylvania offers two paths to licensure without having to start from scratch. The first is licensure by endorsement, which may allow you to skip the EPPP if your out-of-state license requirements were equivalent to Pennsylvania’s. The second is a pathway under Act 41, available to psychologists with an active license from another state who have been in active clinical practice for at least two of the previous five years, subject to Board review and additional requirements. Both paths still require passing the PPLE.
Pennsylvania is a member of PSYPACT, allowing qualified psychologists to practice telepsychology across participating states without an additional license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a PhD to become a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania accepts a PhD, PsyD, or EdD in Psychology for licensure, as long as the program is accredited by the APA or CPA, or otherwise approved by the Board or ASPPB. A PsyD is a common choice for those focused on clinical practice rather than research.
How many supervised hours are required in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires the equivalent of two years of supervised experience: up to a minimum of 1,750 predoctoral hours from an internship meeting Pennsylvania Board requirements, plus a minimum of 1,750 postdoctoral hours completed after your doctorate. The postdoctoral year is mandatory regardless of how many hours you completed during your program.
What exams do I need to pass to become licensed in Pennsylvania?
You need to pass two exams: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is required in all U.S. jurisdictions, and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE), which covers state-specific laws and regulations. Pennsylvania currently requires a passing score of about 500 (scaled) on the EPPP.
What is a Psychology Resident in Pennsylvania?
Psychology Resident is typically a Board-recognized supervised practice status for doctoral-level candidates completing their required postdoctoral hours. It allows you to practice psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist while working toward full licensure as a Licensed Psychologist (LP).
How much do psychologists earn in Pennsylvania?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Pennsylvania was about $103,980 (as of May 2024). Salaries vary depending on specialty, setting, and years of experience.
Key Takeaways
- Doctoral degree required. Pennsylvania accepts a PhD, PsyD, or EdD from an APA- or CPA-accredited program or another Board-approved program. A master’s degree alone does not qualify you for licensure.
- Two years of supervised experience. Up to one predoctoral year (a minimum of 1,750 hours, meeting Board requirements) can count, but the postdoctoral year (a minimum of 1,750 hours) is always required after your doctorate.
- Two exams to pass. The EPPP (required in all U.S. jurisdictions, currently about 500 scaled) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) are both required before a license is issued.
- Psychology Resident status. While completing postdoctoral hours, you practice under a Board-recognized supervised practice status before applying for full LP licensure.
- 30 CE hours every two years. License renewal requires 30 continuing education hours per cycle, including at least three in ethics.
Ready to explore your options? Use our state-by-state licensing guides and program resources to map out your path to licensure.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. Salary figures for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. Salaries are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.