Kansas Psychologist License Requirements
Kansas psychologist license requirements vary by credential level. To become a licensed psychologist in Kansas, you need either a master’s degree (for limited practice as a Master’s Level Psychologist) or a doctoral degree (for full independent licensure as a Licensed Psychologist). Both paths require supervised experience and passing the EPPP exam. Licensure is administered by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (KSBSRB).
A key consideration is determining which license aligns with your career goals. The answer depends almost entirely on whether you want to practice independently or work under supervision, and that distinction influences educational and career decisions that follow.
Kansas offers two levels of psychology licensure through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (KSBSRB): the Master’s Level Psychologist license and the Licensed Psychologist (LP) credential. This guide walks through the requirements for both, including education, supervised experience, the licensing exam, renewal, and what reciprocity looks like if you’re already licensed in another state. If you’re also exploring Kansas social work license requirements, that credential follows a separate path through the same KSBSRB.
Kansas Psychology License Requirements at a Glance
Before getting into the details of each pathway, here’s a side-by-side look at how the two licenses compare:
| Requirement | Master’s Level Psychologist | Licensed Psychologist (LP) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum degree | Master’s degree in psychology (60+ graduate hours) | Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology |
| Program accreditation | Graduate program consistent with the Kansas state universities | APA-accredited preferred; non-APA programs must meet K.A.R. 102-1-12 |
| Supervised experience | Board-approved practicum; supervised field hours required (verify current hours with KSBSRB) | 3,600 hours total: 1,800 pre-doctoral internship + 1,800 post-doctoral |
| Licensing exam | EPPP required for some pathways — verify with KSBSRB | EPPP required; passing score as determined by KSBSRB and ASPPB |
| Scope of practice | Limited practice; supervision required | Independent practice |
| Application fee | Set by KSBSRB; subject to change | $225 application fee; $150 for temporary license |
Master’s Level Psychologist Licensure
Kansas is one of several states that allows limited psychology practice with a master’s degree. The Master’s Level Psychologist license allows access to supervised roles in clinical settings, schools, and community mental health organizations while you decide whether to pursue a doctorate. If you’re also considering counseling licensure as an alternative path, see our guide to Kansas counseling licensure requirements.
To apply, you’ll need to provide the KSBSRB with proof of your educational background and professional references as specified by the KSBSRB. You’ll also need documentation of a board-approved practicum and supervised field experience. The exact supervised hours requirement should be confirmed directly with the KSBSRB, as requirements are subject to board revision.
If you hold a master’s level license and later pursue clinical licensure as a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist, Kansas has a separate pathway that requires demonstrating competence to diagnose and treat mental disorders through graduate coursework, passing a relevant national examination, or other board-approved methods.
Licensed Psychologist (LP) — Doctoral Licensure
The Licensed Psychologist credential is Kansas’s full, independent practice license. It requires a doctoral degree, substantial supervised experience, and passing the national licensing examination.
Education Requirements
You need a doctoral degree (either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)) in a field with content that is primarily psychological. The KSBSRB generally expects programs accredited by the APA or those meeting equivalent standards. If your program wasn’t APA-accredited, it must meet the requirements set out in K.A.R. 102-1-12, which specifies coursework areas including assessment, treatment interventions, and research methodology. Non-APA applicants should budget extra time, as the KSBSRB indicates these applications can take four months or longer to review.
Most doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, or school psychology require two semesters of practicum work. Kansas allows up to 10 semester hours of post-doctoral coursework to satisfy remaining educational requirements, provided that work is completed at a regionally accredited institution.
Supervised Experience
Kansas requires 3,600 total hours of supervised experience. At least 1,800 of those hours must be a formal pre-doctoral internship, a structured experience that covers a range of psychological duties and must meet KSBSRB supervision requirements for hours and ratios. The remaining 1,800 hours are post-doctoral and must be completed under a licensed psychologist who has been in practice for at least two years beyond their own licensure date.
Post-doctoral supervision must also meet KSBSRB supervision requirements for hours and ratios. Supervision typically takes place face-to-face, either in person or via secure televideo. The KSBSRB may approve alternative formats in limited circumstances.
The EPPP Exam
Kansas requires passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a nationally standardized licensing exam. A passing score as determined by the KSBSRB and ASPPB is required for licensure.
You can apply to sit for the EPPP after earning your doctoral degree and completing the first 1,800 hours of supervised practice. You must have a licensure application on file with the KSBSRB and receive board approval before registering. The exam is offered on a continuous basis once registered. Exam fees are set by the testing provider. Kansas also offers a temporary license while your application is under review, at an additional cost of $150.
School Psychologist: An Additional Licensure Pathway
Kansas offers an additional licensure pathway for those drawn specifically to working in K-12 settings. School psychologists in educational settings are licensed through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), not the KSBSRB. This pathway leads to the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology credential and typically requires a specialist-level degree (EdS) or master’s plus internship, along with passing the Praxis School Psychologist examination. It’s a meaningful distinction if you’re early in choosing a graduate program, as the KSDE path and the KSBSRB path have different degree requirements and lead to different employment settings.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Kansas Licensed Psychologists are required to complete continuing education (CE) to renew their licenses. CE activities must be clearly related to the enhancement of psychology practice, values, skills, and knowledge. The KSBSRB does not pre-approve specific CE programs, so it’s the licensee’s responsibility to ensure activities meet the standard set out in K.A.R. 102-1-15.
If you’re approaching your renewal deadline and haven’t completed all required CE, the board may grant an extension based on Board review, provided you submit your renewal application, fee, and an explanation of your plan to complete the outstanding hours before your expiration date.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
Kansas does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any specific state. That said, licensed psychologists from other states can pursue licensure by endorsement through two pathways. The first is to hold a license in a state whose standards are substantially equivalent to Kansas’s requirements. The second requires documented professional experience as defined by the KSBSRB, with a license history free of serious disciplinary action.
Kansas also offers an Out-of-State Permit for currently licensed psychologists at the independent level, which allows 30 days of practice within a calendar year. EPPP scores can be transferred to Kansas from another state through the score transfer process at https://www.psypro.org/Account/Login.
Psychology Salaries in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Kansas is $65,270. Settings vary widely, from hospital systems and community mental health centers to school districts and private practice, and compensation reflects that range. Kansas’s major urban centers, including Wichita and Topeka, tend to offer the largest concentration of positions in healthcare and public sector settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kansas require the EPPP for the master’s level psychology license?
The EPPP is required for the Licensed Psychologist (LP) doctoral credential. Requirements for the Master’s Level Psychologist license vary by pathway and are subject to board updates. Confirm the current exam requirements directly with the KSBSRB before applying.
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Kansas?
Plan for 10 to 12 years from the start of your undergraduate education. A doctoral program typically runs five to seven years, followed by a predoctoral internship and a minimum of 1,800 post-doctoral supervised hours. The licensing exam and application review add additional time before independent practice begins.
Can I practice independently with a master’s degree in psychology in Kansas?
No. The Master’s Level Psychologist license requires supervision. Independent practice in psychology in Kansas requires the doctoral-level Licensed Psychologist (LP) credential issued by the KSBSRB.
What happens if I’m already licensed as a psychologist in another state?
Kansas doesn’t have reciprocity with any specific state, but endorsement is available. You’ll qualify if your current state has substantially equivalent licensing standards, or if you hold a doctorate and meet the professional experience requirements as defined by the KSBSRB with a clean disciplinary record.
How do I become a school psychologist in Kansas?
School psychologists in Kansas K-12 settings are licensed through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), not the KSBSRB. That pathway typically requires a specialist-level degree and passing the Praxis School Psychologist exam, and it leads to the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology credential rather than the LP.
Key Takeaways
- Two license levels exist in Kansas. The Master’s Level Psychologist license allows limited supervised practice. The Licensed Psychologist (LP) credential is required for independent practice and requires a doctoral degree.
- Doctoral licensure requires 3,600 supervised hours, split between a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral hours completed under a licensed psychologist with at least two years of practice.
- The EPPP is required for doctoral licensure. You can apply to sit for the exam after earning your doctorate and completing the first 1,800 hours of supervised experience.
- School psychologists follow a separate licensing pathway. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), not the KSBSRB, licenses school psychologists working in K-12 settings.
- Kansas has no state reciprocity agreements. Out-of-state licensed psychologists can pursue endorsement through equivalent licensure standards or documented professional experience as defined by the KSBSRB.
Ready to explore psychology programs in Kansas and map out your path to licensure?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. Salary figures for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. Salaries based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.