Some states require mental health professionals to become medical doctors to receive authority to prescribe medications. In Louisiana, however, psychologists who complete additional training can receive a medical psychologist (MP) designation to write prescriptions for psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicine.
Louisiana's psychologist salaries are strong at an average of $97,890, which is significantly higher than the national median salary of $81,040 for the profession, as reported by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Louisiana has a lower cost of living than the U.S. average, ranking 37th on the list of most expensive places to live and 31st on the list of best places to live in the U.S. The average salary rate and the low cost of living can make earning a psychologist license in Louisiana a worthwhile pursuit.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $49,520 | $93,750 | $203,650 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $33,790 | $77,000 | $120,860 |
| Psychologists, all other | $43,720 | $103,040 | $119,930 |
Source: BLS
Online Doctorate Programs in Psychology
Psychologist Licensing in Louisiana
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists grants licensure to professionals in the state. Psychologists licensing requirements in Louisiana include:
License Requirements
Completing a 120-credit bachelor's degree, including a BA or a BS in any field Taking the Graduate Record Examination to qualify for graduate school acceptance Ensuring that you meet all educational prerequisites for graduate studies in psychology Choosing between a master's degree in psychology or a combined doctoral degree Finishing a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology Applying to the Louisiana Board for licensure testing and paying a $600 fee Submitting official school transcripts to the state licensing board Registering on the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards website for exams after the state of Louisiana grants authorization for testing Taking and passing (with a score of 500 or higher) the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Completing the oral and jurisprudence exams, which may be taken online, after passing the EPPP exam and meeting all other Louisiana license requirements Receiving licensure immediately after a passing grade on the oral and jurisprudence exams
The EPPP exam is administered at testing centers across the country.
Demand for Psychology in Louisiana
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), all 50 U.S. states need more mental health professionals. The KFF report reveals that in Louisiana, there is only 27.7% of the total need for psychologists and other mental health professionals met in the state.
A 2021 report by the Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance details a shortage of professional mental health practitioners in Louisiana, particularly in rural areas. For every 340 Louisiana residents, there is only one mental health professional. This ratio is even lower in rural areas.
Becoming a licensed psychologist in Louisiana and moving to a rural area of the state can help meet the many underserved populations outside of large metropolitan areas.