Minnesota Psychology License Requirements
To become a Licensed Psychologist (LP) in Minnesota, you need a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, 1,800 postdoctoral supervised hours, and passing scores on two exams: the national EPPP and Minnesota’s state-specific PRE. The Minnesota Board of Psychology oversees all licensure decisions.
Psychology is one of the more demanding licensure tracks in human services, and for good reason. Licensed psychologists in Minnesota can diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently, conduct psychological assessments, and open private practices without clinical supervision. That level of authority requires a rigorous credentialing process.
The Minnesota Board of Psychology regulates all psychology licenses in the state. Their mandate is straightforward: ensure that anyone practicing independently has the education, supervised experience, and tested knowledge to do so safely. Whether you’re eyeing a position at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, a school district in the Twin Cities metro, or a community mental health center in Duluth, the licensure pathway is the same.
Here’s what the process involves, step by step.
Minnesota offers career opportunities in psychology across a wide range of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, government agencies, and private practice. The state’s mental health workforce continues to grow, and doctoral-level psychologists remain among the highest-credentialed providers in that system.
Two Paths to Practice: LP and LPP
Minnesota recognizes two psychology licenses. The Licensed Psychologist (LP) is the doctoral-level credential, the one most people mean when they say “licensed psychologist.” The Licensed Psychological Practitioner (LPP) is a master’s-level license for individuals pursuing supervised practice under a doctoral-level supervisor.
The LPP is a master’s-level license that allows supervised practice. While some professionals use it as a pathway to the LP, others practice long-term under supervision. Most career goals in psychology, including independent practice, diagnosis, assessment, and clinical leadership, require licensure as an LP. This guide focuses on the LP.
Educational Requirements for the LP
The LP requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. That means either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D., both of which qualify. The degree must have a major in psychology and meet the curriculum standards established by the Board by rule.
Graduates of APA-accredited programs typically meet educational requirements more easily, though all applications are subject to Board review. APA accreditation is the gold standard in psychology training, and choosing an accredited program simplifies the licensure application considerably.
If your program was not APA-accredited, you’ll need to document that your coursework meets specific requirements set by the Board. These include coursework in research design, psychological measurement, statistics, assessment, intervention, and several other foundational content areas. The Board provides a list of commonly accepted courses to help applicants navigate this process.
Doctoral programs, particularly those with APA accreditation, require candidates to complete a predoctoral internship as part of the degree. The Board’s postdoctoral supervised hours requirement is separate from that internship and comes after degree conferral.
Postdoctoral Supervised Hours
After earning your doctorate, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 1,800 hours of postdoctoral supervised psychological employment. This is not the predoctoral internship. It’s a separate, post-degree requirement. Minnesota accepts both paid and volunteer experience toward this total.
The supervision must be provided by a Board-approved supervisor. You’ll need to document the hours and have your supervisor verify them as part of the license application. This requirement is equivalent to at least one full year of supervised experience, though timelines vary depending on work setting and hours completed.
The Two Exams: EPPP and PRE
Minnesota requires passing scores on two separate examinations.
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is the national exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). It covers general psychological knowledge, professional ethics, and applied practice. Fees include an application fee and an additional testing fee set by the exam provider. Retake limits are set by the ASPPB and may change; candidates should verify current policies at asppb.net.
The Professional Responsibility Examination (PRE) is Minnesota’s state jurisprudence and ethics exam. It tests candidates on the ethics, legal requirements, and professional responsibilities specific to practicing psychology in Minnesota. Passing the PRE is required in addition to, not instead of, the EPPP. This is a detail that candidates sometimes miss when planning their timeline.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | Ph.D. or Psy.D. with a major in psychology. Graduates of APA-accredited programs typically meet coursework requirements more easily, though all applications are subject to Board review. |
| Postdoctoral Supervised Hours | 1,800 hours of supervised psychological employment after degree conferral. Paid or volunteer experience accepted. |
| National Exam (EPPP) | Passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, administered by ASPPB. |
| State Exam (PRE) | Passing score on Minnesota’s Professional Responsibility Examination, the state jurisprudence and ethics exam covering Minnesota-specific statutes and professional conduct rules. |
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Minnesota LP licenses must be renewed every two years. To renew, you’ll need to complete 40 hours of continuing education, with at least three of those hours in ethics and professional conduct. Failure to renew may result in license expiration or lapse. Reinstatement requires payment of renewal and late fees as determined by the Board, along with Board approval.
Licensure by endorsement may be available for psychologists licensed in another state, subject to credential review and equivalency requirements. Endorsement candidates are required to take the PRE regardless of prior exam history.
What Psychologists Earn in Minnesota
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average salaries for psychologists in Minnesota are typically below the national average, though compensation varies widely by setting and specialization.
Where you work affects earnings significantly. Hospital systems, private practice, and government agencies each pay differently, and specialization in areas such as neuropsychology or forensic psychology can boost earnings. Psychologists with established private practices often see income well above the statewide average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota require a Ph.D. specifically, or will a Psy.D. qualify for the LP?
Either degree qualifies. Minnesota requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. Both the Ph.D. and Psy.D. meet this standard, provided the program’s curriculum satisfies Board requirements. Graduates of APA-accredited programs in either track typically meet the educational criteria more easily, though all applications are subject to Board review.
What is the PRE, and how is it different from the EPPP?
The EPPP is the national psychology exam required in most states. The PRE (Professional Responsibility Examination) is Minnesota’s state jurisprudence and ethics exam. It tests your knowledge of the ethics, statutes, and professional conduct rules that apply specifically to the practice of psychology in Minnesota. You need to pass both to become licensed.
How long does the full licensure process take?
Most candidates spend seven to nine years in doctoral training before they’re eligible to apply, then an additional one to two and a half years completing postdoctoral supervised hours. From start to finish, the journey to LP licensure in Minnesota typically takes 11 to 12 years, though the timeline varies depending on program structure and the pace of supervised-hour completion.
Can I practice in Minnesota while my license application is being processed?
Minnesota offers a temporary permit that allows you to practice under supervision while your full application is under review. The temporary permit is valid for one year or until the Board approves or denies your application, whichever comes first. There’s also a guest license option for out-of-state psychologists who want to practice in Minnesota without pursuing permanent licensure.
Where can I find the most current requirements from the Board?
Requirements can change, so it’s worth going directly to the source. The Minnesota Board of Psychology publishes current statutes, forms, and application instructions at mn.gov/boards/psychology.
Key Takeaways
- Two license tiers exist in Minnesota. The LP requires a doctoral degree and is the credential for independent practice. The LPP is a master’s-level supervised practice license.
- Postdoctoral hours are separate from your internship. Minnesota requires 1,800 hours of supervised employment after degree conferral, not as part of your doctoral program.
- Two exams are required. You must pass both the national EPPP and Minnesota’s state-specific PRE to qualify for the LP license.
- APA accreditation simplifies your application. Graduates of APA-accredited doctoral programs typically meet coursework requirements more easily, though all applications are still subject to Board review.
- Renewal requires 40 CE hours every two years, including at least three hours focused on ethics and professional conduct.
Ready to explore doctoral programs that meet Minnesota’s LP requirements? Browse programs by specialty and find the right fit for your career goals.
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.