Psychologist License Requirements in Delaware

Delaware psychologists are licensed by the Board of Examiners of Psychologists, a part of the Division of Professional Regulation (http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/psychology). Full licensure is granted to individuals who have earned doctoral degrees, passed a national board examination, and practiced under supervision.

While meeting supervised experience requirements, graduates may be registered as psychological assistants.

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Educational Requirements for Psychologists in DE

The foundation for psychology practice is an earned doctoral degree. Programs that are accredited by the American Psychological Association are considered to meet all requirements. Doctoral programs that are not APA-accredited may be accepted following a review of coursework.

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A program will be accepted only if it housed in a regionally accredited university and is a recognizable entity devoted to training psychologists. The program must be sequential and organized and must include appropriate field experience.
The program must cover the following content areas, broadly defined as history and development:

  • Biological aspects of behavior
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  • Social aspects of behavior
  • Cognitive-affective aspects of behavior
  • Psychology history and systems
  • Research methodology
  • Data analysis
  • Psychological measurement

It must also cover the following, defined as foundations of psychology practice:

  • Human development
  • Individual behavioral differences
  • Psychopathology
  • Professional standards
  • Ethics

The following must be covered under strategies for intervention and diagnosis:

  • Theories and methods for diagnosis and intervention
  • Consultation and supervision
  • Effective intervention
  • Evaluating efficacy
  • Diversity issues

Supervised Experience Requirements

A total of 3,000 hours of supervised practice is required for licensure as a psychologist. 1,500 is done before the doctoral degree is granted. It may be completed in a period of one to two years (48 to 104 weeks). At least 50% of the total hours must be spent in clinical activities; 25% of the total time must be face-to-face client services.

The 1,500 hours of supervised post-doctoral experience is generally completed in a period of one to three years. At least 75% of the supervision must be provided by a licensed psychologist; the remaining 25% may be provided by other licensed mental health professionals. An hour of direct, face-to face supervision is required for every 10 hours of clinical work; if the hours of clinical work are not divisible by ten, the candidate must round up to determine how many hours of supervision are required.

Post-doctoral experience may or may not be part of a formal internship. Psychology graduates may apply to become psychological assistants for the purpose of completing practice hours. A psychologist who employs a psychological assistant must have at least two years of experience and must be able to provide a suitable training experience. The supervising psychologist must apply to the Board.

The application at this stage will include a detailed plan for supervised experience. It will describe the assistant’s role and range of duties, the format of supervision, and the plans for handling emergencies and situations where the supervisor is unavailable. The psychological assistant application will require a $59 fee.
Candidates may work as psychological assistants for a maximum of six years.

Delaware Psychologist Examination

Delaware requires the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The exam is computerized. A candidate may download a handbook from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards After being granted approval by the Delaware Board, the candidate will be given detailed instructions about registering. The candidate should be prepared to remit $600 in fees.

A candidate who fails an examination attempt will be allowed to make another attempt once 60 days have passed. Up to four attempts are allowed in a 12-month period. Delaware does not place a limit on total examination attempts.

The Application Process for Psychologists in DE

All needed forms can be downloaded from the Board site. Click here to download the application. All applications must be notarized. Transcripts are required at first application; they should be sent directly to the Board by the issuing institution. The fee for psychologist is $185 (or $55 if upgrading from psychological assistant).

Federal and state background checks are required. Delaware residents are to have their fingerprints made at one of the facilities listed in the application packet. The New Castle and Sussex County locations require appointments; no appointment is required if utilizing the primary facility in Kent County. Candidates should show up for fingerprinting with the information release form found in the application packet along with a credit card or money order for $69; the Kent County and New Castle locations will also accept cash.
Candidates residing outside of Delaware may utilize a police agency in their own jurisdiction. The fingerprint card, information release, and $69 fee will be sent to the Delaware state police.

It may take four to six weeks after an application file is complete before a license is issued. In order to avoid delays, candidates should make sure applications are received at least ten business days before a scheduled meeting of the Board.

License by Reciprocity

The Delaware Board requires license verification from all states where licenses have been held.

Psychologists who are licensed in other states are eligible for reciprocal licensing if they hold a Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology, have earned a credential though the National Registry of Health Service Providers in Psychology, or can demonstrate two years of active practice. Those who do not have the CPQ or NRHSP credential will need verification of education and test scores.

Out-of-state licensees who do not meet the above qualifications must apply for license by examination. Previous examination scores may be accepted. However, supervised experience must be documented.

Limited Practice by Psychologists Licensed in Other Jurisdictions
Out-of-state licensees make practice in Delaware no more than six days per calendar year without pursuing Delaware licensing.

Additional Information

If you are still in High School, hold a High School Diploma/GED, hold a bachelor’s degree, or hold a master’s degree check out suggested steps to take along the path to become a Licensed Psychologist in Delaware.

The Division of Professional Regulation may be contacted by telephone or email (http://www.dpr.delaware.gov/contact.shtml).

The Delaware Psychological Association (http://www.depsych.org/) is an additional professional resource.