In short
Becoming a psychologist in the United States generally requires a doctoral degree, a PhD or PsyD, from an accredited program, followed by supervised professional experience (often one to two years) and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) plus any state exam. The title psychologist is legally protected and tied to this doctoral license. The full path usually takes eight to twelve years. Some applied specialties, like school psychology, can be entered with a specialist-level degree rather than a doctorate.
What it means to be a psychologist
In the United States, psychologist is a legally protected title. Using it generally requires a doctoral degree and a state license. This sets psychologists apart from master's-level counselors, social workers, and therapists, who do valuable clinical work but cannot call themselves psychologists.
Psychologists study the mind and behavior and apply that knowledge in many ways: clinical and counseling psychologists assess and treat mental-health conditions; others work in research, industry, schools, sports, health settings, and the legal system. The doctoral training emphasizes assessment, research literacy, and depth of expertise.
Because the title spans many specialties, the first decision is what kind of psychologist you want to be, since that shapes the doctorate you pursue and the exact licensure requirements that apply.
The doctoral degree: PhD or PsyD
Most psychologists hold a doctorate. The two main options are the PhD and the PsyD. The PhD follows a scientist-practitioner model, balancing research and practice, and is frequently funded through assistantships; it suits research, academic, and assessment-oriented careers and is competitive to enter. The PsyD follows a practitioner-scholar model that weights clinical practice over original research, often admits larger cohorts, and is a more direct route into applied work, though it is less commonly funded.
For clinical and counseling psychology, accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) matters, because many states require an APA-accredited doctorate and internship for licensure. The doctorate typically takes four to seven years and includes coursework, supervised practica, a predoctoral internship, and (for the PhD) a dissertation.
Before the doctorate, you complete a bachelor's degree, usually in psychology, with strong grades and research or clinical experience to be competitive for admission.
Supervised experience and the EPPP
After the doctorate, states require a period of supervised professional experience before granting a license, commonly one to two years, though states differ on how internship and postdoctoral hours count toward the total.
The national licensing exam is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Most states require it, and many now also require the EPPP Part 2 (Skills). States typically add a jurisprudence exam covering state law and ethics.
Once you pass the EPPP and any state exam, complete your supervised hours, and clear a background check, the state grants your license. Renewal then requires continuing education each cycle to keep the license current.
Specializations and applied routes
Psychology is broad. Clinical and counseling psychologists provide assessment and therapy. Others specialize in forensic, child and adolescent, neuropsychology, health, or sport psychology, usually building that focus during and after the doctorate, sometimes through a postdoctoral fellowship and optional ABPP board certification.
Not every applied route requires a doctorate. School psychology, for example, can be entered with a specialist-level Education Specialist (EdS) degree credentialed through state education agencies. Industrial-organizational psychology, one of the highest-paid areas, often involves a master's or doctorate depending on the role.
Deciding your specialization early helps you choose the right doctoral program and clinical placements, though many psychologists refine their focus as they gain experience.
Salary and job outlook
Psychologists are among the higher earners in the mental-health field, reflecting their doctoral training. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports several psychologist categories, shown below, with industrial-organizational psychology typically the highest paid.
The outlook is favorable. BLS projects steady growth for psychologists overall, supported by rising demand for mental-health services across schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practice, as well as demand for psychological expertise in business and research settings.
Steps to become a psychologist
- Earn a bachelor's degree Usually in psychology, with strong grades and research or clinical experience to be competitive for doctoral programs.
- Choose and enter a doctoral program A PhD (research-balanced) or PsyD (practice-focused), APA-accredited for clinical and counseling routes.
- Complete doctoral training and internship Four to seven years of coursework, practica, a predoctoral internship, and (for the PhD) a dissertation.
- Complete supervised professional experience Often one to two years; states vary on how internship and postdoctoral hours count.
- Pass the EPPP and any state exam The national EPPP through ASPPB, increasingly with Part 2 (Skills), plus a state jurisprudence exam and background check.
- Obtain and maintain your license The state grants the protected title; specialize further via fellowship or optional ABPP board certification, and renew with continuing education.
Salary and job outlook
| Role | Median annual pay (US) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $96,100 | BLS OOH |
| School psychologists | $84,940 | BLS OOH |
| Psychologists (all other) | $117,750 | BLS OOH |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | $147,420 | BLS OOH |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2023 median annual wages.
Key takeaways
- Psychologist is a legally protected title that generally requires a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and a state license.
- A PhD is research-balanced and often funded; a PsyD is practice-focused. Both can lead to licensure.
- APA accreditation of the doctorate and internship matters for licensure in many states.
- The national licensing exam is the EPPP through ASPPB, often now including a Part 2 skills component.
- The full path usually takes eight to twelve years; some applied routes, like school psychology, need only a specialist-level degree.
Need to see a psychologist?
Search the original therapist directory, trusted since 1995, to find licensed psychologists and therapists near you. Free to browse.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a psychologist?
Usually eight to twelve years: four years for a bachelor's degree, four to seven years for a doctorate including an internship, and one to two years of supervised practice before licensure. The doctorate is the longest and most variable stage.
Do you need a PhD to be a psychologist?
You need a doctorate, but it can be a PhD or a PsyD. A PhD is research-balanced and often funded; a PsyD is practice-focused. Both, from an accredited program, can lead to licensure. Some applied routes such as school psychology can be entered with a specialist-level EdS degree instead.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a therapist?
Psychologist is a protected, doctoral-level title with specialized assessment training. Therapist is a broader everyday term that includes psychologists as well as master's-level counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists. All can provide therapy; the title and degree level differ.
What is the EPPP?
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, the national licensing exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Most US states require it for psychology licensure, and many now also require the EPPP Part 2 (Skills) component.
How much do psychologists make?
It depends on the specialty. US Bureau of Labor Statistics medians range from about $85,000 for school psychologists and $96,000 for clinical and counseling psychologists to roughly $118,000 for psychologists in other categories and over $147,000 for industrial-organizational psychologists.
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 Psychological Association (APA). Accreditation and Careers in Psychology.
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Specialty board certification.
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Credentialing and the NCSP.