All psychologists who offer direct services to the public for a fee must be licensed or certified by the state in which they practice. Each state has its own requirements for licensure. Therefore, it is essential that all CSPP PsyD and PhD students who plan to apply for licensure in states other than California contact the licensing board in the applicable states for information on state requirements (e.g., coursework, practicum and internship hours, supervision, nature of the doctoral project or dissertation). Students should plan ahead to ensure they meet all state requirements. In general, the CSPP doctorate enables a graduate to apply for admission to state psychology licensing or certification examinations once the graduate has completed any postdoctoral experiential requirements that individual states may impose.

Candidates for licensure as a psychologist are required to sit for an objective written examination. Individual state boards may also require an oral and/or essay examination for licensing. Many states (including California) require continuing education work as a criterion for re-licensure. Applicants for licensure in the state of California must hold an earned doctoral degree in psychology (or related field) from a regionally accredited or state-approved institution. They also must have completed 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (of which at 1,500 must be postdoctoral) and pass both a written and an oral examination.

For further information on licensure in California or other states contact:

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
     PO Box 241245
     Montgomery, AL 36124-1245
     (334) 832-4580
     asppb@asppb.org

California Board of Psychology
     1422 Howe Avenue, Suite 22
     Sacramento, CA 95825-3200

Office of Professional Affairs
     American Psychological Association
     750 First Street NE
     Washington, DC 20002-4242

National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
     1120 G. St. NW, Ste 330
     Washington, DC 20005
     (202) 783-7663
     Fax: (202) 347-0550
     http://www.nationalregister.org/