How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in Tennessee
To become a licensed psychologist in Tennessee, you need a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from an APA-accredited or National Register–recognized program, 3,800 hours of supervised clinical experience split between a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral work, and passing scores on both the EPPP and the Tennessee Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination. The process typically takes 10+ years.
Tennessee has more than seven million residents and real gaps in mental health access. A large portion of those needs go unmet statewide, and rural areas face the most severe shortages. For people drawn to psychological work, that gap reflects ongoing workforce demand.
Licensed psychologists in Tennessee work across a wide range of settings. You might open a private practice in Memphis, join a hospital team in Nashville, work inside school districts across the state, or focus on serving rural communities that lack consistent access to mental health care. The credential opens doors across clinical, research, and educational settings.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Tennessee is approximately $103,190. Below is a step-by-step guide to earning your license in the state.
Education Requirements for Tennessee Psychologists
Bachelor’s Degree
The first step is a bachelor’s degree, though you don’t have to major in psychology. A background in sociology, human services, neuroscience, or another social science can serve as a foundation for doctoral admissions. What matters is completing any prerequisites your graduate program requires. Spending your undergraduate years doing volunteer work or internships in mental health settings will strengthen your application when the time comes.
Doctoral Degree: Ph.D. or Psy.D.
Tennessee requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a program approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) or recognized by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Two degree types qualify for licensure. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) combines research training with clinical work and is the more common path for those interested in academia or research careers. A Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) focuses more heavily on clinical practice and is designed for people committed to full-time direct service. Both degrees meet Tennessee’s licensure requirement, and both qualify you for the same license.
Doctoral programs typically take five to seven years beyond a bachelor’s degree. Tennessee is home to several APA-accredited programs, including doctoral tracks at the University of Memphis. A standalone master’s degree in psychology is not required for licensure, though some candidates pursue one before applying to doctoral programs, particularly if they didn’t major in psychology as undergraduates.
Supervised Experience Requirements
Tennessee requires 3,800 total hours of supervised professional experience before you can apply for full licensure. Those hours are divided across two distinct phases. The table below breaks down what each stage involves.
| Stage | Requirement | Hours and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-doctoral Internship | Completed during doctoral program. Must be APA-accredited or meet Tennessee Board standards | 1,900 hours, typically one year |
| Post-doctoral Supervised Experience | Completed after earning your doctorate, under a licensed psychologist who meets Board requirements | 1,900 hours, to be completed within two years |
| Provisional License | Required if your post-doctoral site does not have a Board agreement exempting trainees from this step | Valid for one year, extendable. Fee of $125 |
If you’re completing your post-doctoral hours at an APA-accredited or APPIC-listed site, ask your supervisor or training director whether the site has a Board agreement that covers trainees. If it does, you may not need a provisional license. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to apply for one before you begin accumulating post-doctoral hours. When in doubt, ask before you start.
Examination Requirements
Once your supervised hours are complete, you’ll need to pass two exams. The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a 225-question national standardized test covering general psychological knowledge and practice, administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Tennessee requires a passing score set by the board, historically around a scaled score of 500 on the EPPP. Study resources and registration information are available through the ASPPB website.
The second exam is the Tennessee Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination, a state-specific test covering the laws and ethical standards that govern psychology practice in Tennessee. The Board schedules this exam after you receive a passing EPPP score and have satisfied all other application requirements.
Applying for Your Tennessee Psychologist License
Tennessee has moved its initial licensure process online. Applications are submitted through the state’s licensing portal and can be paid by credit card, debit card, or e-check. The application packet requires official graduate transcripts, documentation of supervised experience, three psychologist references (at least two from licensed psychologists), a notarized copy of your birth certificate, and a criminal background check. Fees are required with the application.
You can review the current statutes and rules governing licensure at the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. Requirements do change, so it’s worth confirming current rules directly with the Board before you apply.
Career Opportunities and Salary
A Tennessee psychologist’s license qualifies you to assess and treat mental health conditions independently, without supervision. Clinical and counseling psychologists in the state work in private practice, hospitals, community mental health centers, correctional facilities, and VA settings. School psychology is a related but distinct pathway. School psychologists can be licensed in Tennessee with specialist-level graduate training rather than a full doctorate, making that a separate route for those drawn to educational settings.
If you’re weighing the psychologist track against other mental health careers, it’s worth reviewing Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure in Tennessee as well. The LPC credential requires a master’s degree rather than a doctorate and follows a different supervised hours and examination pathway.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists in Tennessee is approximately $103,190. Rural areas of the state face significant shortages of licensed psychologists, meaning practitioners willing to work outside major metro areas often find strong and consistent demand for their services.
License Renewal
Tennessee psychologist licenses renew every two years. To be eligible, you’ll need to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) credits in the two calendar years before your renewal year. Nine of those hours must come from Type I programs (APA-approved organizations), another nine from Type I or Type II sources, and the remaining 22 from Type I, II, or III programs. Three hours must address cultural diversity, and three hours must cover state and national ethical and legal standards. Renewal is completed through the state’s online portal, with a fee of $225. Excess CE hours from one renewal period cannot be carried over to the next.
Licensure by Endorsement
If you’re already licensed as a psychologist in another state, Tennessee offers licensure by endorsement for applicants whose qualifications meet or exceed Tennessee’s requirements. You’ll still need to pass the Tennessee Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination. Credentials such as ABPP certification, National Register status, or a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) may serve as evidence that you’ve met certain requirements, though internship confirmation is still required. Contact the Tennessee Board directly to verify current endorsement criteria before beginning the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee accept both Ph.D. and Psy.D. degrees for psychologist licensure?
Yes. Tennessee accepts both the Ph.D. and the Psy.D. for full psychologist licensure, provided the program is APA-accredited or recognized by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Both degrees qualify you for the same license and the same scope of independent practice.
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Tennessee?
The full process typically takes 10+ years. That includes four years for a bachelor’s degree, five to seven years for a doctoral program (which includes the pre-doctoral internship), and then up to two years of post-doctoral supervised experience before you sit for licensure exams.
Do I need a provisional license in Tennessee?
It depends on where you complete your post-doctoral hours. If your training site has a Board agreement exempting trainees from provisional licensure, you won’t need one. If the site doesn’t have that agreement in place, you’ll need to apply for a provisional license before you start accumulating post-doctoral hours. Ask your supervisor or training director before you begin.
Can out-of-state psychologists transfer their license to Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee offers licensure by endorsement to psychologists already licensed in other states whose qualifications meet Tennessee’s standards. The Tennessee Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination is still required regardless of your experience level. Each application is reviewed individually by the Board.
What continuing education is required to renew a Tennessee psychology license?
Tennessee requires 40 CE hours every two years. At least three hours must cover cultural diversity, and three hours must address ethics and legal standards. Hours are divided across Type I, II, and III categories based on program approval level. Excess hours from one cycle cannot transfer to the next.
Key Takeaways
- Doctoral degree required: Tennessee requires a Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an APA-accredited or National Register–recognized program. A master’s degree alone does not qualify for psychologist licensure, though school psychologists can be licensed at the specialist level through a separate pathway.
- 3,800 supervised hours: Split between a pre-doctoral internship (1,900 hours during your doctoral program) and post-doctoral supervised work (1,900 hours, completed within two years after your doctorate).
- Two exams required: Passing scores on both the EPPP and the Tennessee Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination are required before the Board will issue your license.
- Renewal every two years: Maintaining your license requires 40 CE hours per cycle, with specific minimums for cultural diversity and ethics content.
- Endorsement available: Psychologists already licensed in other states can apply for Tennessee licensure by endorsement if their qualifications meet state requirements.
Exploring a career in psychology? Use our state guide to compare licensure requirements, program options, and career paths across the country.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.