Virginia Psychologist License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in Virginia, you’ll need a doctoral degree from an accredited program, 1,500 hours of supervised experience, and passing scores on the EPPP and Virginia Jurisprudence Exam. Virginia issues three license types: clinical, school, and applied. The full path typically takes 10 to 12 years from your undergraduate degree.
Virginia offers a range of employment settings for psychologists. There are numerous hospitals, school districts, and community mental health centers across the commonwealth, along with VA facilities and private practices. Once you’re licensed, the range of settings you can work in is wide. Getting there takes real commitment, but the licensure process follows defined steps.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical and counseling psychologists in Virginia earn an average annual salary of $105,480. The process starts with understanding which license you’re working toward and what each requires.
Virginia Psychologist License Types
The Virginia Board of Psychology issues three types of psychologist licenses: clinical, school, and applied. Each serves a different practice area, but all three require a doctoral degree and share the same core licensure process. Choosing your path early shapes which doctoral program makes sense and what your supervised experience should cover.
Clinical psychologists are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders. This is the license most people picture when they think of practicing psychology. School psychologists work within educational settings, providing testing, assessment, counseling, and consultation to students and staff. Applied psychologists work in fields like industrial-organizational psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. If you’re weighing a counseling path instead, Virginia LPC licensure is a separate credential with its own requirements. Virginia also issues a limited school psychologist license for those with a master’s degree, and a sex offender treatment provider certification for those with specialized postgraduate training.
Educational Requirements
All three standard psychology licenses in Virginia require a doctoral degree in psychology. There’s no path to full licensure through a master’s degree alone, though a master’s degree in psychology can open the door to a limited school psychologist credential while you continue your education. Most doctoral programs take five to seven years to complete, and many include a master’s degree as part of the curriculum, so a separate master’s program isn’t always necessary.
| Degree | What It Opens in Virginia | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s in Psychology | Entry to graduate programs and human services roles without licensure | Foundation for a doctoral path from any accredited institution |
| Master’s in Psychology | School Psychologist-Limited license and a stepping stone to a doctorate | Many doctoral programs include this. A standalone master’s is not always required |
| PhD or PsyD in Psychology | Full licensure as clinical, school, or applied psychologist | Must be from an APA-accredited or Virginia Board-approved program |
Your doctoral program must come from an APA-accredited school or from a program the Virginia Board has determined meets equivalent standards. For clinical psychologists, the program must also include required practicum training in key areas such as assessment and intervention.
Supervised Experience
After meeting your educational requirements, you’ll need to complete 1,500 hours of supervised experience before you can sit for your licensing exam. Virginia calls this a residency. It can happen at the predoctoral or postdoctoral level, depending on your license type and how your program is structured.
All supervised experience must meet Virginia Board requirements for supervision hours and ratios, and your supervisor must be a board-approved licensed psychologist. Before starting your residency, you’ll need Board approval of both your residency plan and your supervisor.
Examination Requirements
Virginia requires two exams for licensure. The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). You can apply to take the EPPP once the Board has verified you’ve completed your educational requirements. Virginia requires a passing score as determined by the ASPPB and the Virginia Board.
The second is the Virginia Jurisprudence Exam, which tests your knowledge of the laws and regulations governing psychology practice in the commonwealth. Both exams must be passed before the Board will issue your license. You can find current EPPP preparation resources through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. For Virginia-specific rules and regulations, review the materials posted by the Virginia Board of Psychology.
Licensure by Endorsement
If you’re already licensed as a psychologist in another state, Virginia offers a path to licensure by endorsement. You may not need to repeat your supervised hours or retake the EPPP if you meet endorsement criteria. The most straightforward route is holding diplomate status with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) or a listing with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Psychologists who have been actively licensed for at least 10 years can also qualify by providing transcripts showing an acceptable doctoral degree. Those licensed for fewer than 10 years will need to demonstrate that their original licensing standards were substantially similar to Virginia’s at the time they were credentialed.
Continuing Education Requirements
Once you’re licensed, Virginia requires 14 hours of continuing education per year to maintain your credential. At least 1.5 of those hours must cover ethics, laws, and regulations specific to psychology practice in Virginia. You’ll report your CE completion during the annual license renewal process. The Virginia Board of Psychology maintains a list of approved providers, and the ASPPB offers additional resources for finding qualifying coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a clinical, school, and applied psychologist license in Virginia?
Clinical psychologists are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders independently. School psychologists work within educational settings, providing assessment, counseling, and consultation to students. Applied psychologists work in fields like industrial-organizational or developmental psychology. All three require a doctoral degree and share the same supervised hours and exam requirements, but the focus of your training and practice differs by track.
Can I become a licensed psychologist in Virginia with a master’s degree?
Not for full licensure. Virginia requires a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) for clinical, school, and applied psychology licenses. However, a master’s degree can qualify you for a School Psychologist-Limited license or a Sex Offender Treatment Provider certification. Many doctoral programs include a master’s degree as part of the curriculum, so you may earn both in one program.
What score do I need to pass the EPPP in Virginia?
Virginia requires a passing score as determined by the ASPPB and the Virginia Board. The exam covers eight content areas, including biological bases of behavior, assessment and diagnosis, and ethical and legal issues. You can apply to take the EPPP once the Board has verified your educational qualifications. Check the ASPPB website for current scoring standards.
How does Virginia’s psychologist licensure by endorsement work?
If you hold an active, unrestricted psychology license in another state, you may apply for Virginia licensure by endorsement rather than going through the full examination path. The strongest endorsement credentials are ABPP diplomate status or listing with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Psychologists licensed for 10 or more years can also qualify by submitting transcripts. Those licensed for fewer than 10 years will need to show that their original licensing standards were substantially equivalent to Virginia’s.
How many continuing education hours do Virginia psychologists need each year?
Virginia requires 14 hours of continuing education annually. At least 1.5 hours must specifically cover ethics, laws, and regulations governing psychology practice in the state. CE hours are reported during your annual license renewal. The Virginia Board of Psychology approves providers, and the ASPPB offers additional resources for finding qualifying courses.
Key Takeaways
- Three license types are available. Virginia issues clinical, school, and applied psychologist licenses. All require a doctoral degree and share the same core requirements.
- A doctoral degree is required for full licensure. PhD, PsyD, or EdD from an APA-accredited or Board-approved program. A master’s degree alone won’t get you there.
- 1,500 supervised hours are required. Completed as a Board-approved residency at the predoctoral or postdoctoral level under a board-approved licensed psychologist.
- Two exams are required. The EPPP and the Virginia Jurisprudence Exam. You can apply for the EPPP once the Board verifies your educational qualifications.
- Endorsement is available for out-of-state licensees. If you’re already licensed in another state, you may qualify to transfer your credentials to Virginia without repeating your supervised hours.
- 14 CE hours are required annually. At least 1.5 hours must cover ethics, laws, and Virginia-specific regulations, reported at each annual renewal.
Ready to explore your next step? Browse psychology programs in Virginia and find schools that match your license track and career goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary 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.