Georgia Psychology License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in Georgia, you need a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program or one that meets Board requirements, a completed internship, and 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience. You’ll also need to pass three exams: the EPPP, the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination, and an oral examination before the Board.
Psychology licensure in Georgia isn’t a short road. It requires years of graduate training, supervised practice, and a three-part examination process overseen by the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. But for those committed to independent clinical practice, the licensure process follows defined requirements. This guide walks through each requirement step by step.
Education Requirements
Georgia requires a doctoral degree to practice as a licensed psychologist. This typically includes a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), though other doctoral degrees may be accepted. Regardless of the specific degree, your program must have been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) at the time your degree was conferred. Industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology applicants follow a separate pathway with different program approval criteria.
Georgia does not offer psychology licensure at the master’s level. If you earn a master’s degree and decide not to pursue the doctorate, your degree still carries weight in many human services careers. But independent psychological practice in this state requires the doctoral credential.
Internship and Postdoctoral Experience
Before you can apply for licensure, you need two layers of supervised clinical experience: a doctoral internship and postdoctoral hours.
Your internship must be APA-accredited or otherwise approved by the Board and completed as part of your doctoral program. Georgia requires a minimum of 2,000 internship hours. This is a structured, full-time training year embedded in your doctoral education, not something you complete afterward.
After earning your doctorate, you’ll need to complete 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised work experience (PDSWE). These hours must be accrued over no less than two years, and at least 500 of them must involve direct client contact. All 1,500 hours must meet Board supervision requirements, typically under a licensed psychologist.
You can apply to begin the examination process before finishing your postdoctoral hours, but you won’t receive your license until all requirements, including the PDSWE, are complete.
Examination Requirements
Georgia requires candidates to pass three separate examinations. There is a typical sequence to the process.
| Exam | Administered By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) | Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) | National licensing exam; taken first in the sequence |
| Georgia Laws and Rules Examination | Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists | State jurisprudence exam covering Georgia-specific rules and statutes |
| Oral Examination | Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists | Conducted at a location designated by the Board; requires submission of a case study in advance |
The EPPP is administered through ASPPB and is used across the U.S. and Canada. For the oral examination, you’ll submit a case study to the Board before your appearance. The Board uses this session to confirm you can practice competently in your intended specialty area. You can find more information about the application and examination process on the Georgia Secretary of State’s Psychologist Licensing page.
How to Apply
Georgia processes licensure applications through the GOALS online portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Depending on your situation, you’ll apply under one of three paths: licensure by examination (first-time applicants who haven’t yet passed the EPPP), licensure by exam waiver (first-time applicants who have already passed the EPPP), or licensure by endorsement (currently licensed psychologists from another state).
All applications require a completed, signed, and notarized form along with an application fee. The Board partners with ASPPB to process examination and endorsement applications, so additional documentation will be coordinated through ASPPB after your initial submission. The Board typically processes completed applications within several weeks.
The Board’s address is:
3920 Arkwright Rd., Suite 195
Macon, GA 31210.
Licensure by Endorsement
If you’re already licensed as a psychologist in another state, you may be eligible to apply for a Georgia license by endorsement. To qualify, you must hold a current, unencumbered license in a jurisdiction where the standards are determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to Georgia’s requirements. Georgia does not participate in automatic reciprocity, so you’ll still need to pass the Georgia jurisprudence and oral examinations.
A temporary permit may be available while your endorsement application is being processed. Verify current fees and requirements with the Board before applying.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Georgia psychology licenses expire every two years on December 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal is completed online. The late renewal window runs January 1 through January 31 of odd-numbered years. If you let your license lapse beyond that window, reinstatement requires a formal application with supporting documentation and fees.
Continuing education (CE) requirements apply at renewal. Details on specific CE requirements are addressed in the Georgia Board’s FAQ. Licensing requirements may change; consult the Board for current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia offer psychology licensure below the doctoral level?
No. Georgia requires a doctoral degree for psychology licensure. There is no master’s-level psychologist license in this state. Individuals with a master’s degree in psychology can pursue careers in counseling or human services, but they cannot use the title “psychologist” or practice independently as one.
How many exams are required for Georgia psychology licensure?
Three: the EPPP, the Georgia Laws and Rules (Jurisprudence) Examination, and an oral examination before the Board. All three must be passed before a license is issued. The EPPP is typically taken first, followed by the state exams.
Can I transfer my psychology license from another state to Georgia?
Georgia doesn’t offer automatic reciprocity, but licensed psychologists from other states can apply for licensure by endorsement. You’ll still need to pass the Georgia jurisprudence and oral examinations. The Board determines whether your home jurisdiction’s standards meet Georgia’s requirements.
How long does it take to get a psychology license in Georgia?
The timeline varies, but most applicants spend several years on the doctoral degree and internship, then another two or more years completing the 1,500 required postdoctoral hours. Once your application is submitted with all documentation, the Board typically processes it within several weeks.
Where can I find the official Georgia psychology licensure requirements?
The Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division maintains current requirements and application checklists. All applications are submitted through the GOALS online portal. The Board’s FAQ page covers continuing education, reinstatement, and specialty practice questions.
Key Takeaways
- A doctorate is required. Georgia does not license psychologists at the master’s level. Your program must be APA-accredited or otherwise meet Board requirements at the time your degree was conferred.
- Three exams, not two. Candidates must pass the EPPP, the Georgia jurisprudence exam, and an oral examination before the Board. All three are required before a license is issued.
- 1,500 postdoctoral hours are required. After earning your doctorate, you’ll complete supervised work experience over at least two years, with 500 hours in direct client contact.
- Applications go through the GOALS portal. Georgia no longer accepts paper applications. All submissions are handled online through the Secretary of State’s licensing portal.
- Licenses renew every two years. Georgia psychology licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal and CE requirements are managed through the Board.
Exploring psychology licensure in Georgia? Browse our state-by-state guides to compare education and licensing requirements across the country.
