In short
To become a clinical neuropsychologist in the United States you earn a bachelor's degree, complete a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical psychology with a neuropsychology focus from an APA-accredited program, finish a predoctoral internship, and then complete a two-year postdoctoral residency in neuropsychology. You must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and obtain state licensure, and most go on to earn board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). The full path commonly takes ten to fifteen years.
What a neuropsychologist does
Neuropsychologists study the relationship between the brain and behavior. They assess and treat the cognitive and behavioral effects of brain injury, stroke, dementia, epilepsy, developmental disorders, and other neurological conditions. Their signature skill is detailed neuropsychological assessment: standardized testing of memory, attention, language, and executive function that helps map how a condition is affecting a person's thinking.
This is a specialized branch of clinical psychology, so it builds on the full psychologist licensing path and then adds substantial extra training. It is one of the most rigorous routes in psychology, which is reflected in both the timeline and the earning potential.
Neuropsychologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, academic medical centers, memory clinics, forensic settings, and private practice, often as part of multidisciplinary teams alongside neurologists and rehabilitation specialists.
The doctoral foundation
Start with a bachelor's degree, typically in psychology or neuroscience, with strong grades and research experience. Neuropsychology is research-heavy, so undergraduate involvement in labs and a solid foundation in biology and statistics help with doctoral admission.
Next comes a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical psychology from an APA-accredited program, ideally with a concentration or track in neuropsychology. Doctoral study runs roughly five to seven years and includes coursework in brain-behavior relationships, neuroanatomy, and assessment, along with supervised practica and a dissertation.
A full-year predoctoral internship, ideally APA-accredited and with neuropsychology rotations, is part of the doctorate. The Houston Conference guidelines, the widely accepted standard for neuropsychology training, shape what specialized coursework and supervised experience you should accumulate at this stage.
The postdoctoral residency
What sets neuropsychology apart is the formal postdoctoral residency. Following the Houston Conference standards, this is a two-year, full-time supervised residency specifically in clinical neuropsychology, completed after the doctorate.
During the residency you deepen your assessment skills, work with a wide range of neurological populations, and prepare for board certification. This stage is essential: most employers and the board certification process expect a residency that meets the two-year standard.
Because this is a long, structured commitment, it is worth confirming early that any internship and residency you pursue align with the Houston Conference model, since that alignment matters for board certification later.
Licensure and board certification
Like all psychologists, neuropsychologists must be licensed by the state where they practice. That requires passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), completing supervised hours, passing any state jurisprudence exam, and clearing a background check.
Beyond licensure, most neuropsychologists pursue board certification in clinical neuropsychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and its specialty board (ABCN). Board certification involves credential review, a written exam, a work-sample review, and an oral exam. It is not legally required to practice but is widely regarded as the mark of a fully qualified neuropsychologist and is expected by many employers.
After licensure and certification, continuing education keeps the credential current each renewal cycle.
Salary and job outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report neuropsychologists as a separate category. They generally fall under psychologists, all other, which reflects specialized doctoral psychologists and tends to pay above the clinical and counseling psychologist median, in line with the extensive training neuropsychology requires.
The outlook is favorable. An aging population, rising rates of dementia and stroke, and growing attention to concussion and traumatic brain injury all support demand for neuropsychological assessment. The specialty's long training pipeline also keeps supply relatively constrained.
Steps to become a neuropsychologist
- Earn a bachelor's degree Psychology or neuroscience with strong grades, research experience, and a foundation in biology and statistics.
- Complete a doctorate with a neuropsychology focus A PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology from an APA-accredited program, ideally with a neuropsychology track, including a predoctoral internship.
- Complete a two-year postdoctoral residency A formal residency in clinical neuropsychology following the Houston Conference standards.
- Pass the EPPP and obtain licensure The national EPPP through ASPPB, plus state supervised hours, jurisprudence exam, and background check.
- Pursue ABPP board certification Board certification in clinical neuropsychology (ABCN/ABPP) through credential review, written exam, work sample, and oral exam.
- Maintain license and certification Complete continuing education each renewal cycle to keep both current.
Salary and job outlook
| Role | Median annual pay (US) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologists (all other) | $117,750 | BLS OOH |
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $96,100 | BLS OOH |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | $147,420 | BLS OOH |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2023 median annual wages. BLS does not report a separate neuropsychologist category; most fall under psychologists, all other.
Key takeaways
- Neuropsychology is a specialized branch of clinical psychology requiring a doctorate plus a two-year residency.
- The Houston Conference guidelines define the standard training model, including the postdoctoral residency.
- You must pass the EPPP and obtain state licensure like any psychologist.
- Most neuropsychologists earn ABPP board certification in clinical neuropsychology, widely treated as the mark of full qualification.
- The full path commonly takes ten to fifteen years, among the longest in psychology, with correspondingly high earning potential.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a neuropsychologist?
Usually ten to fifteen years: four years of undergraduate study, five to seven years for the doctorate including a predoctoral internship, and a two-year postdoctoral residency in neuropsychology. Board certification adds further time after licensure.
Do you need a doctorate to be a neuropsychologist?
Yes. Neuropsychology is a doctoral specialty within clinical psychology. You need a PhD or PsyD from an APA-accredited program, followed by a two-year postdoctoral residency, state licensure, and usually board certification. There is no master's-level route to the title clinical neuropsychologist.
What is the Houston Conference?
The Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology produced the widely accepted guidelines for how neuropsychologists should be trained, including doctoral coursework, internship content, and a two-year postdoctoral residency. Programs and board certification align with these standards.
What is ABPP board certification in neuropsychology?
Board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology and its specialty board (ABCN) confirms advanced competence in clinical neuropsychology. It involves credential review, a written exam, a work-sample review, and an oral exam. It is not legally required to practice but is expected by many employers and considered the standard of full qualification.
How much do neuropsychologists make?
Neuropsychologists generally fall under the BLS category psychologists, all other, with a median around $117,750, and experienced or board-certified practitioners often earn considerably more. The extensive training and specialized assessment skills support higher pay than the general clinical psychologist median.
Related career guides
References
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists. US Department of Labor.
- Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) / American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN). Board certification in clinical neuropsychology.
- Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology. Policy statement.
- American Psychological Association (APA). Division 40: Society for Clinical Neuropsychology.