Kentucky

Kentucky Psychology Education Overview

Psychology Licensure in Kentucky

Kentucky is a state with a wide diversity of potential career options in human services for those who are licensed to practice Psychology. Myriad and varied organizations and institutions both public and private are in need of licensed Psychologists. From setting up a private practice in Louisville to working in a school in Lexington, you will find a multitude of agencies that are looking to hire licensed Psychologists. Kentucky is home to over 4.3 million people which provide plenty of opportunities to find employment. By exploring the BLS website you will find that a Psychologist employed in Kentucky can expect to earn a mean yearly wage of $53,4801. If you enjoy the idea of working with fellow professionals in a medical environment that is both stimulating and enriching, you may wish to find work in one of Kentucky’s 100+ Major hospitals2. Some people have an inborn yearning to help children to heal emotionally, if this resonates with you, then you may wish to consider seeking employment in one of Kentucky’s 180+ school districts3. With so many potential career paths you have an excellent chance to find a perfect fit for you given your unique skillset and personality. Below you will find a step-by-step guide to help you move along the process towards becoming a licensed Psychologist in the state of Kentucky.

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Required educational background

If you want to gain licensure in Kentucky you will need to have already earned your doctorate in Psychology. Earning your Bachelor and Master of Psychology are pre-requisites for earning your Ph.D. in Psychology.

During your studies to earn your Bachelor of Psychology you will be able to really understand what your potential career in psychology will be like. This will help you decided if a career as a licensed psychologist is right for you. In addition to being required to earn later degrees, your Bachelor’s is very useful in finding employment in a wide variety of other human services careers.

Unlike some states, Kentucky does not allow you the practice of licensed psychology without first earning a Doctorate in Psychology. A Master’s in Psychology is useful not just in gaining your doctorate but also in finding employment in a wide variety of other jobs in human services. You will find that in addition to being a necessary step to get your Ph.D., a Masters of Psychology is a very useful degree in and of itself.

To begin your path to licensure you will need your doctorate in psychology from a board approved school. Once you have your doctorate you will need to earn your post-doctoral field experience.

Field Experience

To begin earning your field experience on the way to licensure, you will need to do the following:

  • You will need to submit proof of your education and also your supervision plan to gain the required experience for licensure.
  • You will need at least two years of supervised experience equating to 1,800 hours of experience, with 100 hours of supervision from a qualified instructor.
  • You will need to apply for licensure, be approved and take your EPPP (see below).

You will want to familiarize yourself with Kentucky’s specific laws and regulations regarding licensure. These laws change so it is good to make sure you have current information, which you can find here:

Examination

Once you have completed your field experience you can apply to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

1 http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193031.htm
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospitals_in_Kentucky
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_districts_in_Kentucky