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

Becoming a licensed forensic psychologist could take up to 10 years or more. While the APA notes there’s no single path to entering the profession, professionals almost always hold advanced forensic psychology degrees.

The following sections describe the steps involved in greater detail.

Begin by earning a four-year degree from an accredited program. Most aspiring forensic psychologists earn a bachelor’s in psychology, but you can consider a criminal justice program with a psychology minor. Majoring in psychology is not required, but it can create building blocks for more advanced coursework later down the road.

Some schools offer undergraduate and graduate forensic psychology programs. Others include forensic psychology or criminal justice as a concentration in a psychology program.

After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can apply to a master’s degree in forensic psychology. Some schools also offer intensive graduate programs that lead to combined master’s and doctoral degrees.

You can apply to a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) program after earning a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Ph.D. programs emphasize research, while Psy.D. programs focus more on professional practice. Forensic psychologists typically have a doctorate in forensic psychology or clinical psychology.

Doctoral degrees typically take 4-8 years to complete. Regardless of your degree type, anticipate completing advanced coursework, research, clinical hours, and a dissertation.

Many states require you attend an APA-accredited program or its equivalent to become licensed. Be sure to check for proper accreditation when applying for doctoral programs and consult your state’s licensing board for specific requirements.

Before becoming licensed, you must typically complete clinical hours through an internship and postdoctoral fellowship. The required clinical hours depend on the state in which you intend to practice but average 4,000 hours.

The EPPP exam has recently been updated and is composed of two parts: Part 1 – Knowledge and Part 2 – Skills. Part 1 assesses general knowledge of psychology and certain theories, and the awareness of key research topics. Part 2 requires you to apply that knowledge in real-world situations.

While all states require you to take Part 1, only some states require both Part 1 and Part 2 to be taken. The recommended score to pass each section is 500. Part 1 costs $600 and Part 2 costs $450. Both parts have an allotted time of four hours and 15 minutes.

Once you pass the EPPP exam, you are ready to pursue state licensure in forensic psychology. While specific requirements vary by state, typical ones include completion of an accredited doctoral program, a minimum number of supervised clinical hours, and a passing score on the EPPP exam.

Contact your state board of psychology to find out what documentation is required for licensure.

Now, you are ready to begin your job search. There are many jobs you can pursue with a doctorate in forensic psychology. Most graduates pursue careers in criminal justice or at mental health facilities, completing forensic evaluations of individuals. Typically, roles involving forensic evaluations are some of the highest-paying forensic psychology jobs.

You can also find work in the private sector, healthcare, education, and through self-employment.

Regardless of your specific role, you will need to maintain a minimum amount of continuing education credits to keep your credentials up-to-date. Check with your specific state to stay in compliance with your certification.

Forensic psychologists earn an average salary of $110,300, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The highest earners work for the federal, state, or local government. The BLS projects that forensic psychologist jobs will grow about as fast as average (4%) from 2024-2034.

Ultimately, your salary potential as a forensic psychologist depends on many factors, including your location, your experience, and the organization you apply to (government agencies vs. private industries).

Because forensic psychology is relevant across many fields, you can find jobs in various settings, including:

Many aspects of forensic psychology, like formal evaluations, require you to work in person. However, you can potentially find remote forensic psychology work, especially in the academic realm or by providing telehealth services through a private practice.