Psychology in California: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in California
Updated April 12, 2024 · 4 Min Read
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California psychologist salaries rank second among U.S. states. The Golden State also boasts a strong job market. According to Projections Central, California may see an 8.6% increase in employment opportunities for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists from 2020-2030.
The University of California, Davis, hosts a top neuroscience research center, and clinical facilities in Oakland and San Diego address threats to mental health, including substance abuse, homelessness, and PTSD among veterans.
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 California
California ranks among the top-paying states for clinical and counseling psychologists, industrial-organizational psychologists, and school psychologists. However, pay varies by your experience, degree, and specialty.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $64,010 | $126,450 | $187,020 |
| School psychologists | $77,430 | $106,790 | $140,570 |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | $83,100 | $137,480 | $179,470 |
| Psychologists, all other | $52,890 | $143,350 | $183,500 |
Psychologist Licensing in California
The California Board of Psychology regulates the licensing of psychologists in the state. You can pursue credentials to become licensed psychologists, psychological associates, or psychological testing technicians after graduating with an online psychology degree in California.
Registered psychological associates must complete a master's degree in psychology or enrollment in a doctoral program. They also need at least one hour per week, or up to 44 hours, of in-person supervised work experience.
Licensed psychologists in California need 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, including 1,500 hours completed after receiving a doctoral degree.
Licensed psychologists from other states can apply for a California license after passing the California Psychology Law and Ethics Exam and submitting transcripts, certification of licensure, and proof of post-doctoral supervised hours.
License Requirements
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1
Earn an accredited doctoral degree in psychology, clinical counseling, school counseling, forensic counseling, industry-organizational psychology, or school psychology. -
2
Complete 3,000 hours of supervised post-doctoral experience, including 1,500 face-to-face hours. -
3
Pay the application fee and apply for their first initial license through DCA BreEZe Online Services. -
4
Submit fingerprints to conduct a background check. Fingerprinting is done at Live Scan sites. -
5
Complete pre-licensure coursework in human sexuality; alcohol/chemical dependency and treatment; child abuse assessment and reporting; spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies; aging and long-term care; and suicide risk assessment and intervention. -
6
Pay for and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This two-part computerized test evaluates their skills and knowledge through multi-choice questions and responses to videos and scenarios. There are up to 395 questions. -
5
Take the California Psychology Law and Ethics exam, requiring a $127 fee. The exam covers eight subject areas: informed consent, confidentiality, privilege, psychotherapeutic relationships, and assessments and evaluation. -
6
After passing the California Psychology Law and Ethics exam, submit a Request for Initial Licensure form and a $231 fee. If approved, the board sends a notification by email.
Demand for Psychology in California
California offers a strong job market for psychologists. In fact, the state maintains a higher share of employment than the national average concentration in industrial-organizational psychology, clinical and counseling psychology, and school psychology, according to the BLS.
As of May 2023, employers in California employ 11,840 clinical and counseling psychologists, 11,150 school psychologists, 240 industrial-organizational psychologists, and 1,370 psychologists, all others. California employs the highest employment level of all categories of psychologist.
However, California ranks as No. 1 for the most shortage areas because many local areas throughout California face shortages of psychologists.
A projected 677 more mental health practitioners are needed to remove California's health professional shortage area designation and achieve a population-to-provide ratio of at least 30,000-to-1.
Page last reviewed on April 10, 2024