Missouri Psychology License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in Missouri, you need a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited or qualifying program, 3,500 hours of supervised professional experience completed over at least 24 months, and passing scores on three exams: the EPPP, the Missouri Jurisprudence Exam, and the Missouri Oral Examination. The State Committee of Psychologists oversees the process.
Missouri has a real demand for psychologists. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the state meets only a fraction of its mental health care needs, putting licensed psychologists in a strong position across clinical, school, hospital, and government settings. For those who complete the process, licensure opens doors across more than 300 school districts, 170 major hospitals, and a range of private practice and community mental health settings.
The path to licensure is long, typically 8 to 10 years from a bachelor’s degree to independent practice. Each stage builds directly on the last. Here’s what Missouri requires at every step.
Educational Requirements
Missouri requires a doctoral degree in psychology for licensure. A PhD or PsyD from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) qualifies. Programs not holding one of those accreditations must meet the standards outlined in Section 337.025 of the Missouri statute, which require at least 3 years of graduate study, with at least 1 year completed in residence. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) evaluates credentials but is not itself an accrediting body.
A master’s degree in psychology isn’t required for licensure, but many candidates earn one on the way to their doctorate. Even if your plans change before completing a doctoral program, a master’s opens doors to a wide range of human services careers. If counseling is your path rather than psychology licensure, see our guide to counseling licensure in Missouri.
The doctoral program must be a sequential course of study clearly identified as psychology, with a psychologist responsible for the program. Required coursework areas include scientific methods and procedures, research design or statistics, biological bases of behavior, cognitive and affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, and individual differences.
Supervised Experience
Before you can accumulate supervised hours, Missouri requires you to apply for and receive a provisional license from the State Committee of Psychologists (SCOP). Provisional licenses are time-limited. Confirm the current duration and any renewal restrictions directly with the SCOP before you apply, as policies can change.
Missouri requires 3,500 hours of supervised professional experience. At least 1,500 of those hours must come from a completed doctoral internship lasting between 12 and 24 months. The remaining 2,000 hours can be completed through pre-internship experience after your first year of doctoral study, additional internship hours beyond the required 1,500, or post-doctoral experience completed within 24 consecutive calendar months.
Your primary supervisor must be a Missouri-licensed psychologist and must meet with you face-to-face regularly throughout the experience. At the end of the supervised period, supervisors evaluate your competencies as required by the Missouri Committee, and that evaluation is part of the SCOP’s licensing decision. Plan your supervision arrangement carefully before starting, and confirm that all requirements are in place before accumulating hours.
Examinations
Missouri requires passing scores on three separate exams before the SCOP will issue a full license.
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a nationally standardized computer-based exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Missouri requires a minimum scaled score of 500. The EPPP tests knowledge across eight content areas, including biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases, and assessment and intervention.
The Missouri Jurisprudence Exam covers state-specific laws and rules governing the practice of psychology. Reviewing Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 337 and the SCOP’s administrative rules before sitting for this exam is a practical step. Missouri also requires an Oral Examination administered by the SCOP, which gives the committee a chance to evaluate your professional judgment and readiness for independent practice.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Missouri psychology licenses are renewed every 2 years. License holders must complete continuing education requirements as a condition of renewal and submit proof of completion with each renewal application. The SCOP sets the types of continuing education that qualify. Review their current requirements at pr.mo.gov/psychologists.asp before your renewal period approaches.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
If you’re already licensed in another state, Missouri offers two pathways to licensure. Licensure by endorsement is available if you’ve passed the EPPP and meet Missouri’s other standards. Licensure by reciprocity requires a current psychology license from another U.S. jurisdiction and at least five years of experience under that license.
Out-of-state psychologists who hold a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ), are diplomates of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), or are listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers may qualify for expedited endorsement without submitting transcripts or documentation of supervised experience.
Career Settings and Salary
Licensed psychologists in Missouri work across a range of settings: private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, school districts, universities, and government agencies. School psychologists certified under the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) standards and operating within their scope of practice are not required to hold state licensure through the SCOP, a distinction worth understanding if you’re drawn to the school psychology track specifically. For comparison, those who prefer a related licensed role with a shorter path may also want to explore social work licensure in Missouri.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical and counseling psychologists in Missouri earn a mean annual wage of $90,480. The field shows steady demand, particularly given Missouri’s documented shortage of behavioral health professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master’s degree before applying for a psychology license in Missouri?
No. Missouri does not require a standalone master’s degree for licensure. You need a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited or otherwise qualifying program. Many candidates earn a master’s degree along the way, but it isn’t a separate licensure requirement.
How long does the supervised experience requirement take?
Missouri requires 3,500 hours of supervised professional experience. The internship portion (at least 1,500 hours) must take between 12 and 24 months. The remaining 2,000 hours can be completed through a combination of pre-internship, additional internship, or post-doctoral experience. Total supervised experience must span at least 24 months.
What is the minimum passing score for the EPPP in Missouri?
Missouri requires a minimum scaled score of 500 on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The EPPP is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and is offered at testing centers throughout the state.
Can I transfer my psychology license from another state to Missouri?
Yes. Missouri offers licensure by endorsement for psychologists who have passed the EPPP and meet state standards, and licensure by reciprocity for those with an active license from another U.S. jurisdiction and at least five years of licensed experience. Certain credentials, including ABPP diplomate status and CPQ certification, can further simplify the process.
Key Takeaways
- Doctoral degree required: Missouri requires a PhD or PsyD from an APA-accredited or qualifying program. A master’s degree is valuable, but it is not a standalone licensure requirement.
- 3,500 supervised hours: At least 1,500 must be completed through a completed internship. The remaining 2,000 can be completed through pre-internship, additional internship, or post-doctoral training. A provisional license is required before accumulating hours.
- Three exams to pass: The EPPP (minimum score of 500), the Missouri Jurisprudence Exam, and the Missouri Oral Examination. All three are required before the SCOP issues a full license.
- Reciprocity available: Out-of-state psychologists can apply for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity, with expedited pathways for CPQ holders, ABPP diplomates, and National Register listees.
Exploring psychology as a career path in Missouri? Our Missouri human services guide covers related licensing tracks, including counseling and social work licensure.
Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists reflects state and national figures, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary—data accessed April 2026.