New Hampshire Psychologist License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in New Hampshire, you need a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program, 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and passing scores on the EPPP and an essay exam. New Hampshire also offers a Psychological Associate credential for master’s-level practitioners who work under supervision.
Deciding to pursue psychology licensure is a long-term commitment. The path from a bachelor’s degree to a fully licensed psychologist can take a decade or more, depending on your program, your supervised experience timeline, and how quickly you move through the examination process.
New Hampshire licenses psychologists through the Board of Psychologists, which operates under the state’s Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The state regulates two separate credentials: the Licensed Psychologist (LP) for doctoral-level practitioners and the Psychological Associate for those with a master’s degree who practice under ongoing supervision. Understanding both before you choose a graduate program can help inform your program selection.
Psychology Licensure in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s Board of Psychologists is a nine-member body appointed by the Governor, including five licensed psychologists, one school psychologist, and three public members. The Board operates under RSA 329-B and is responsible for evaluating applicants, enforcing ethical standards, and protecting the public from unqualified practitioners. Its oversight role is to ensure that psychological services in New Hampshire are delivered by qualified practitioners.
For those interested in independent clinical practice, the Licensed Psychologist (LP) is the appropriate credential. It allows you to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, open a private practice, and deliver a full range of psychological services without supervision. The Psychological Associate credential is designed for master’s-level practitioners who want to work in psychology while under the direct oversight of a licensed psychologist. It does not authorize independent practice, but allows supervised clinical work for those who are not yet ready to commit to doctoral training.
New Hampshire Psychology License Requirements at a Glance
The requirements for each credential level differ significantly. The table below shows the key distinctions side by side.
| Requirement | Licensed Psychologist (LP) | Psychological Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Doctoral degree in psychology (APA or CPA accreditation preferred) | Master’s degree in psychology from an accredited institution |
| Supervised Experience | 3,000 hours total (1,500 predoctoral + 1,500 postdoctoral) | Ongoing supervised practice under a Licensed Psychologist |
| Exams | EPPP (scaled score of 500) plus essay exam | None required for initial credential |
| Practice Scope | Independent practice authorized | Supervised practice only |
| Application Fee | $316 (non-refundable) | Contact OPLC for the current fee |
Educational Requirements
To qualify for the Licensed Psychologist credential, you need a doctoral degree in psychology. That means a Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. in a psychology-related field. The degree doesn’t have to be in a particular specialty, but it must come from a program that meets New Hampshire Board standards.
A common pathway is a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). If your program holds APA or CPA accreditation, the Board generally accepts it. If it doesn’t, the Board will evaluate the program against a detailed set of criteria: it must be clearly identified as a psychology program, housed in a regionally accredited institution, led by a licensed psychologist, and represent at least three academic years of study with at least one year completed in residence.
For the Psychological Associate credential, a master’s degree in psychology from an accredited program is the baseline requirement. The degree must include coursework in psychological assessment and treatment. If you’re considering the Psychological Associate path while deciding whether to pursue doctoral study, it can be a practical way to build clinical experience and clarify your long-term goals. Those exploring master’s-level options in related fields may also want to review social work licensure in New Hampshire as a parallel credential path.
Supervised Clinical Experience
The supervised experience requirement is where most candidates spend the most time on the path to licensure. To qualify for the Licensed Psychologist credential, you need 3,000 total hours of supervised clinical experience. Those hours are divided into two distinct phases: 1,500 predoctoral hours and 1,500 postdoctoral hours.
The predoctoral component is completed during your doctoral program, typically through an internship. APA-accredited internships are accepted without additional review. If your internship isn’t APA-accredited, it must meet Board requirements for supervised experience, including structure and duration.
The postdoctoral year follows degree conferral. You’ll need at least one hour of direct weekly supervision from a licensed psychologist, and supervisors must not have a personal relationship with the applicant. During the first year of postdoctoral supervised experience, you’re required to use a title that reflects trainee status, such as intern, fellow, or resident.
Examinations
New Hampshire requires two exams for Licensed Psychologist applicants. The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a national exam developed and administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). New Hampshire requires a minimum scaled score of 500 to pass.
The second is an essay exam. Applicants respond to written questions that assess professional judgment and familiarity with New Hampshire-specific standards. This isn’t a test of textbook knowledge. It evaluates how you’d handle real-world ethical and clinical situations as a licensed practitioner in this state.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, retake and remediation requirements are set by the Board. Contact the ASPPB or the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists directly for current procedures.
Applying for Licensure
Once you’ve completed your education and supervised hours, you submit your application to the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists through the OPLC’s online licensing portal. The non-refundable application fee is $316.
Your application requires documentation, including education history, supervised experience records, professional references, and exam verification.
Since July 2017, all new applicants must also complete a criminal background check. This applies to first-time applicants and those applying for reinstatement. You’re responsible for the cost of the background check and for following the procedures specified in state law. For current forms, checklists, and application guidance, visit the OPLC psychologist applications page.
Career Outlook for Psychologists in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has a consistent need for licensed psychologists across clinical, school, and research settings. The state’s population of roughly 1.4 million is concentrated in the southern tier, but rural areas in the north and west have fewer providers, which contributes to demand for practitioners in those areas.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Hampshire’s mean annual wage for clinical and counseling psychologists is $66,140 (BLS, May 2024).
It is important to note that school psychologists in New Hampshire operate under a separate credentialing system run by the Department of Education, not the Board of Psychologists. Doctoral and specialist-level school psychology credentials are both available. School psychologists work in K-12 and early childhood settings, but the credential doesn’t extend to private practice. If independent clinical practice is your goal, the LP route is the required pathway.
Those also considering mental health counseling should review counseling licensure in New Hampshire, which follows a separate process through the Board of Mental Health Practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctorate to become a licensed psychologist in New Hampshire?
Yes, the Licensed Psychologist (LP) credential requires a doctoral degree in psychology. New Hampshire also offers a Psychological Associate credential for those with a master’s degree, but that credential allows supervised practice only. It doesn’t authorize independent practice.
How many supervised hours do I need for a New Hampshire psychology license?
Licensed Psychologist applicants need 3,000 total hours of supervised clinical experience. These are split into 1,500 predoctoral hours, completed during your doctoral program, and 1,500 postdoctoral hours, completed after you’ve earned your degree. Both phases require supervision from a licensed psychologist who doesn’t have a personal relationship with the applicant.
What score do I need to pass the EPPP in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire requires a minimum scaled score of 500 on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). In addition to the EPPP, applicants must also pass an essay exam as a second component of the licensure process. If you do not pass on your first attempt, retake and remediation requirements are set by the Board.
What does the New Hampshire psychology license application include?
The application requires documentation covering education history, supervised experience records, professional references, and exam verification, along with the $316 non-refundable application fee and a criminal background check. For a complete checklist, visit the OPLC psychologist applications page.
Can a school psychologist in New Hampshire open a private practice?
No. The school psychologist credential is issued by the New Hampshire Department of Education and authorizes practice in school settings only. To provide psychological services in private practice, you need a license from the Board of Psychologists, which requires completing the full doctoral-level Licensed Psychologist pathway.
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire offers two psychology credentials. The Licensed Psychologist (LP) requires a doctorate and allows independent practice. The Psychological Associate requires a master’s degree and allows supervised practice only.
- The LP requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience. These are divided into 1,500 predoctoral and 1,500 postdoctoral hours, both completed under a licensed psychologist.
- Two exams are required for the LP. You’ll need a scaled score of 500 on the EPPP and must pass a separate essay exam. Retake and remediation requirements are set by the Board.
- The application fee is $316 and includes a background check. Criminal background checks have been required for all new applicants since July 2017.
- School psychologists work under a separate credentialing system. That credential is issued by the Department of Education and does not authorize private practice.
Ready to explore your options? Browse psychology programs in New Hampshire and find a degree path that aligns with your licensure goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists reflects state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026. Visit BLS: Psychologists for full occupational data.