Psychologist Licensure Requirements in Maryland

Maryland psychologists are licensed by the Board of Examiners of Psychologists (http://dhmh.maryland.gov/psych/SitePages/Home.aspx). Candidates are licensed on the basis of education, examination, and supervised practice.

Maryland licenses both practice-oriented psychologists and non- practice oriented psychologists, but sets slightly different standards for each. Clinical, counseling, and school psychology are all considered practice-oriented.

Psychology associate is a lesser status that allows individuals who have education at at the least the master’s level to perform psychological services under supervision. Some doctoral graduates apply for this status so that they can accrue post-graduate hours legally; others are exempted.

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Psychologist Education Requirements

The foundation is a doctoral degree in psychology. Doctoral programs are acceptable if they are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) or have been designated as psychology programs by the National Register/Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

Click Here to learn more about psychology education options based on your current educational attainment.

Supervised Experience Requirements

A psychology candidate will need 3,250 hours of supervised professional experience. A clinical, counseling, or school psychology candidate must do 1,750 of these hours as part of a formal internship, completed within a 24-month period. The other hours may be completed at some other point after the first year of the doctoral program is complete.

Maryland accepts pre-internship and post-doctoral hours as well as hours that were earned after the internship but before the doctoral degree. The licensing agency notes that this is because some candidates spend a significant period of time after the internship writing their doctoral dissertations and it is possible to earn supervised, creditable hours during this period. They are to be coordinated through the academic institution and guided by a written training plan. For every 20 hours worked, there is to be two ours of individual supervision and two hours of other learning experiences such as group supervision or seminars. However, candidates should be aware that many states require that a certain number of experience hours be post-doctoral and that their experience will not qualify them for licensure in all jurisdictions.

At least 50% of the pre-doctoral hours that are credited to a practice-oriented psychology student either before or after the formal internship should be treatment-related. At least 25% should consist of direct provision of services.

At least 75% of post-doctoral supervision must be face-to-face with a psychologist. If a post-doctoral candidate needs to receive supervision from an on-site psychologist or needs to have some supervision take place in a format other than face-to-face, supervision should be sought from the Board beforehand. A supervisee will use a title like intern or resident tat accurately represents status.

Candidates who will be accruing post-doctoral hours in any other than an exempted setting will need to apply to the Board for approval as psychology associates.

Supervised Professional Experience for Psychologists Who Are Not Practice-Oriented

Individuals who complete doctoral degrees in i/o, social psychology, or other fields that are not practice-oriented are not required to have a formal internship. The 3,250 hours may be pre- or post-doctoral. Among the creditable activities are research, teaching, and industrial or organizational consultation. In order for the work to be credited, an hour a week of appropriate supervision must be provided. In most cases, the supervision is to be face-to-face. Alternate supervision may be allowed in some instances. If it’s pre-doctoral, the program director must attest to the quality of the supervision. If it is post-doctoral, the candidate should petition the Board.

Examinations Requirements

Maryland psychologist candidates take a series of examinations. A candidate receives authorization to take them by submitting an application, and the required supporting documentation, to the Maryland Board.

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is the national board examination.

The Maryland Examination tests ethics and law. Candidates will receive a copy of the statutes beforehand. A score of 75% is required.

Retakes are permissible on the EPPP and the Maryland Examination. However, a new application must be submitted.

A list of examination dates is found on the Board site http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ psych/SitePages/testinginfo.aspx

The Application Process

Application packets are available for download from the Board site (http://dhmh.maryland.gov/psych/SitePages/Forms.aspx).

A passport-type photograph must be attached to the application. The document must be notarized.

The candidate will need three reference letters from psychologists. They should be submitted using the official cover letter provided.

Any applicant who neither lives in Maryland nor has employment within the state will need to provide the Board with a suitable reason for seeking Maryland licensure.

Criminal History Checks

Psychologist applicants must have both state and federal criminal history checks. The process is not to be initiated until after the application has been received; the Maryland Board will email a Criminal Justice information System authorization number as well as an identifying number for the FBI. Candidates are to have their fingerprints made electronically at one of the fingerprinting sites listed in the information bulletin. There is a $34.50 background check fee and a $20.00 fingerprinting fee, but notes that the fingerprinting fee could be different if a private vendor is selected. http://dhmh.maryland.gov/psych/pdf/Criminalhistoryrecordcheck.pdf

Limited Practice Reciprocity

A psychologist who is licensed in another state may be granted the privilege of practicing within the state while in the process of fulfilling state-specific examination requirements. The psychologist must file an application within 90 days of taking up residence in the state (and by the first application deadline). Verification of a license in good standing must be received.

The psychologist is expected to take the next available examination. Only under rare circumstances are exceptions made.

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 Maryland.

Applicants may call (410)764-4787 to have questions answered. Or visit the Licensing Boards website: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/psych/SitePages/Home.aspx

Maryland Psychological Association: https://www.marylandpsychology.org/

Association of Practicing Psychologists Montgomery – Prince George’s Counties: http://www.apponline.org/

Maryland School Psychologist Association: http://www.mspaonline.org/

Association of Black Psychologists: http://www.abpsi.org/