How to Become a Clinical Psychologist: A Step-By-Step Guide

Becoming a licensed clinical psychologist requires a lot of effort and time, but it can lead to a fulfilling career helping others improve their emotional health and well-being. The journey begins with earning a bachelor’s degree and ends with getting your state license before you can open a private practice or apply for roles in various settings.

Your educational journey begins with earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, which typically takes about four years. A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field prepares you for graduate studies in clinical psychology. Academic requirements usually include 120 credits of core coursework and electives in your major, along with general education classes.

Earning a master’s degree is an optional step, as accredited doctoral programs in psychology often accept students with only a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s degree in clinical psychology also provides advanced training in theory, research, and practice, allowing you to specialize in your studies.

If you pursue a master’s degree, expect to spend about two full-time academic years completing your requirements. You can also consider dual-degree graduate programs, which combine master’s and doctoral degrees into a single academic track.

You need a doctorate in psychology to qualify for a license and practice as a clinical psychologist. Many states require that your doctoral degree be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or equivalent.

The APA accredits both doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) programs. While both degrees can prepare you for licensure, the Ph.D. generally emphasizes scientific inquiry and research, while the Psy.D. emphasizes hands-on clinical training.

You may qualify for some doctoral programs in psychology with a bachelor’s degree in another field. However, you will likely need to meet intensive coursework requirements covering psychology fundamentals, research methods, and statistical analysis.

Doctoral degrees in psychology generally involve coursework, clinical field training, independent research, and a dissertation. Completion timelines vary, but typically range 4-7 years.

In addition to your education, you must meet your state’s supervised clinical requirements. These intensive clinical experiences, which are required in all U.S. states, build advanced skills in the field under the guidance of licensed professionals.

According to the APA, you will need 1,500-6,000 hours of supervised training, depending on your state. As a general guideline, the APA advises psychologists in training to expect to complete about 2,000 hours during a doctoral program and an additional 2,000 hours as a postdoctoral candidate.

For specific details about your clinical requirements, consult your state’s licensing board.

All U.S. states require clinical psychologist candidates to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The EPPP is a comprehensive competency-based examination consisting of two parts: a 225-question knowledge section and a 170-question skills section. Some states only require the knowledge section, while others require both sections.

You need official approval from your state to sit for the EPPP. Rules for additional exam attempts vary among states, but you will also need clearance to take the exam again if you do not pass on your initial attempt.

In addition, you may need to pass an oral examination issued by your state’s licensing board. Some jurisdictions also require jurisprudence exams that test your knowledge of professional ethics for clinical psychologists.

Once you have satisfied your state’s education, experience, and examination requirements, you can submit your formal licensure application. During this stage, licensing officials will:

Exact processes — and completion timelines — vary by state. On the short end, you may receive a decision in about two weeks, but in some states, the application review process can take 3-4 months or more. For further details, check with your state’s licensing board.

Once you receive official licensing approval, you can start to seek clinical psychologist positions or start your own practice. The American Academy of Clinical Psychology’s job board is a helpful resource for launching your search.

Consult your state’s requirements for maintaining licensure. Depending on your state’s rules, you will need to renew your license about every 1-2 years. Continuing education and professional development requirements also apply, so be sure to know the specific requirements in your state before your licensure renewal date.

Clinical psychologists earn a national median salary of nearly $96,000, and jobs are projected to grow much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It’s important to keep in mind that your earning potential varies by state and depends on factors including your experience and work setting.

As a clinical psychologist, you may work in settings such as:

You can also start a private practice or work in various settings on a contract or consultant basis. As a licensed psychologist, you may also choose to offer telehealth services.

As you research how to become a clinical psychologist, it’s important to hear directly from those in the field. The following insights come from North Carolina-based clinical psychologist Sandra Wartski, Psy.D., who specializes in clinical therapies and psychoeducational evaluations:

What advice would you offer a student considering a career in psychology?

“Psychology is a broad, interesting, varied, and complex field. If someone is considering a career in psychology, getting involved in human service organizations or a psychology research lab can be really valuable for learning more and helping to target possible specialization or specific population interests. Knowing more about behind-the-scenes work in psychology before going to graduate school can be immensely helpful.”

What is something you wish someone had told you when you were on the path to becoming a psychologist?

“Working in clinical psychology does involve sometimes being with and supporting people during some of the worst moments of their lives. It can be scary and hard, but it is also so satisfying to be able to make a significant difference in some people’s lives through relationships, teaching, sharing, compassion, encouragement and skill building. Taking care of our own mental health is critical.”