Psychology in Rhode Island: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in RI

by

Updated August 30, 2022 · 1 Min Read

Explore our guide on psychologist licensing in Rhode Island, average psychologist salaries in the state, and options on how to help Rhode Island residents access psychological services.

Psychology.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Credit: Onne van der Wal | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but the Ocean State maintains a sizable need for licensed psychologists. In fact, roughly two-fifths of Rhode Islanders reported experiencing depression or anxiety in 2021.

Keep reading for more on psychologist licensing in Rhode Island, the demand for psychology professionals, and expected Rhode Island psychologist salary ranges.

Psychologist Salaries in Rhode Island
Job Title Lowest 10% Median Annual Salary Highest 10%
Clinical and counseling psychologists $74,870 $98,680 $170,890
School psychologists $61,000 $79,510 $104,650
Psychologists, all other $29,820 $62,410 $151,680

Source: BLS

Online Doctorate Programs in Psychology

Psychologist Licensing in Rhode Island

Psychologist licensing in Rhode Island is regulated by the Rhode Island Board of Psychology. Obtaining a psychologist license in Rhode Island requires the completion of 3,000 supervisory hours, along with passing the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Rhode Island honors license reciprocity for out-of-state psychologists.

Reciprocity candidates must submit an application and fee to the Rhode Island Board of Psychology and indicate their request for licensure by endorsement. The board will then establish whether a candidate's out-of-state licensure requirements are compatible with Rhode Island's guidelines.

License Requirements

To obtain psychologist licensing in Rhode Island, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Graduate from an American Psychological Association or regionally accredited doctoral psychology program.
  • Be of sound moral character.
  • Complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience, half of which must be postdoctoral.
  • Pass the EPPP and pay a $687.50 fee.
  • Submit an application to the Rhode Island Board of Psychology, along with a $230 fee.

Demand for Psychology in Rhode Island

Rhode Island meets 62.9% of its population's mental health needs, identifying the state as a health professional shortage area, per the Kaiser Family Foundation. Despite meeting more of these needs than most states, over 400,000 Rhode Islanders reside in areas with a mental health professional shortage.

Children are an underserved population in Rhode Island. The state's 2021 Kids Count report reflected heightened mental health concerns among children and teenagers for the second consecutive year.

In 2020, one-third of children under 18 experienced barriers to mental health counseling. In 2021, 133 more teenagers than in 2020 were hospitalized in Rhode Island following a suicide attempt.

The majority of these children reside in Rhode Island's capital and other urban areas. Additional school psychologists and child psychologists in larger cities can help fill the state's need for youth-directed psychology in Rhode Island.

Latest Posts

Discover Online Programs by Specialty

Find the psychology program that best fits your career plans and budget.