Psychology in New Jersey: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in New Jersey

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Updated April 12, 2024 · 3 Min Read

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Considering practicing psychology in New Jersey or negotiating your salary? This guide to psychology licensing in New Jersey and psychologist salaries has the information you need.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks New Jersey as the highest-paying state in the U.S. for clinical and counseling psychologists. New Jersey also tops our ranking of the best states for psychologists.

Learn more about how to become a psychologist in New Jersey, salaries, licensing requirements, and the demand for New Jersey psychologists.

Popular Online Doctoral Psychology Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Psychologist Salaries in New Jersey

The BLS reports median annual salaries from May 2023 for three categories of New Jersey psychologists.

Psychologist Salaries in New Jersey
Job Title Lowest 10% Median Annual Salary Highest 10%
Clinical and counseling psychologists $85,940 $130,700 $224,620
School psychologists $67,560 $93,380 $122,150
Psychologists, all other $44,740 $128,810 $145,810
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Psychologist Licensing in New Jersey

The State Board of Psychological Examiners regulates psychology licensure in New Jersey. The Board requires a doctoral degree in psychology for licensure. Future psychologists can choose from a Ph.D. in psychology, a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.), or a doctor of education (Ed.D.) in psychology. Doctoral degree-holders can apply for licensing through examination.

The board issues two types of psychology licenses. Practicing psychologist licensure is for psychologists licensed in other states and applicants who have completed all of their clinical hours. The three-year permit is for applicants completing their supervised experience hours.

New Jersey also offers temporary permission for psychologists seeking to practice in the state for no more than 10-15 days in a three-month period.

License Requirements

To become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, you need the following:

  1. 1
    Doctoral Degree: Applicants need a doctorate in psychology—Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. from an American Psychological Association-accredited program.
  2. 2
    Clinical Hours: New Jersey requires two years of supervised practice experience totaling 3,500 hours. Applicants can combine pre- and post-doctoral hours.
  3. 3
    Application and Fees: Applicants register on the state board's website, submit their applications online, email transcripts and other required documents, and pay a $125 application fee.
  4. 4
    Criminal Background Check: The board requires a criminal background check for licensure applicants by reciprocity. New Jersey psychology doctoral programs typically require background checks, so applicants applying for licensure by exam do not need to pass another background check.
  5. 5
    EPPP Exam: Applicants must take both parts of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, a written multiple-choice exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
  6. 6
    Jurisprudence Exam: The board also requires a written exam that tests applicants' knowledge of New Jersey laws and regulations governing psychology practice.

Demand for Psychology in New Jersey

As in many areas of the country, psychologists are in demand in New Jersey. BLS data for May 2023 show that New Jersey clinical and counseling psychologists and school psychologists constitute a higher share of employment than the U.S. average; however, all other psychologists are less prevalent in the state than average.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research organization, reported that more than 1.5 million New Jersey residents experienced a shortage of health professionals, including mental health providers, as of November 1, 2023. This means that only 18% of the need for healthcare was met.

A January 2024 New Jersey Monthly article on the shortage of mental health providers reported that teletherapy could remove barriers to healthcare by offering more available appointment times and reducing transportation and childcare costs.

New Jersey participates in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which makes offering teletherapy services easier. This interstate compact allows psychologists in participating states to provide teletherapy or temporarily practice in other participating states.

In addition, psychology doctoral students at New Jersey's Rutgers University provide lower-cost treatment to community members under the supervision of licensed psychologists.

Page last reviewed on April 10, 2024

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