Psychologist Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Ohio psychologists are licensed by the State Board of Psychology (http://www.psychology.ohio.gov). Licensing laws have recently changed. Candidates have the option of applying under new or old pathways; this applies to those who enrolled in regionally accredited institutions by June 6, 2009 and who earn their doctoral degrees by April 6, 2017.

Both pathways require candidates to earn doctoral degrees, pass licensing examinations, and practice under supervision. However, there are differences with regard to when the supervised practice hours can and must be earned. The old law required that one year of the supervised practice be post-doctoral; the new law drops that requirement, but mandates internship or formal training.

School psychologists have a separate set of requirements and can be licensed with a master’s degree.

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Ohio Psychologist Educational Requirements

Generally speaking, psychology programs must be accredited or designated by the American Psychological Association, Canadian Psychological Association, or Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register. School psychology programs may be accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists. Under new law, programs which achieve accreditation status within two years of the time the degree is conferred are considered accredited.

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

Supervised Experience

Psychologists must have 3,600 hours of supervised practice whether they apply by old or new law. The new law requires an internship which may be completed over a time period of up to 24 months. There is some flexibility in the number of hours; 1,500 to 2,000 may be credited.

Internships that are not accredited and are not members of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers are subject to standards adopted by the Ohio Board.
The remaining hours may be earned either before or after the doctoral degree is conferred. Doctoral training placements may be credited if they took place after the student had earned 48 semester hours of coursework and 400 hours of practicum, provided that they met training standards. However, the Board notes that most states require post-doctoral practice and that psychologists who opt to complete their hours before graduation could face license mobility issues.

The older regulations cap credited pre-doctoral internship hours at 1,800 and require 1,800 hours of post-doctoral practice. The post-doctoral hours may be earned over a span of 12 to 36 months.

Some teaching and research experiences may be counted toward supervised practice requirements; others are excluded. A maximum of 30% of the experience hours at either level may be credited for research or teaching.

The Board has put together a fact sheet regarding what constitutes client contact hours in the field of industrial/ organizational psychology.

Graduates must register their supervision using the form provided by the Board.
Supervisees are to have face-to-face supervision at a rate of at least 5% (or one hour for every 20 hours of client contact).

The Examination Process for Ohio Psychologists

Ohio requires candidates to pass a series of two licensing examinations. The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, which is administered around the nation (http://www.asppb.net). Candidates are allowed to take the examination after educational requirements have been met. The Ohio Board screens candidates and determines that they are indeed qualified. At this point, the candidate will be sent EPPP registration materials.

The candidate will pay $600 in registration fees. Soon after, an ATT will be issued. The candidate may schedule a computerized examination at any authorized Prometric center in the nation; an additional small fee will be due Prometric.

Later candidates will take the oral jurisprudence examination, which is based on state code. It is administered at multiple Ohio sites. Two Board members are in attendance. The candidate is advised of the results at the end of the session and typically receives a license five business days after successful examination. The Ohio Board does not charge for the state examination, provided it is passed on a first attempt. Retakes cost $50. A prep manual is available on the Board site. In the event a candidate does fail, the examination may be retaken after a 30 day wait.

School Psychologists

School psychologists are eligible for employment in some settings with only credentialing provided by the education department. However, they are also eligible for licensure by the State Board of Psychology if they attain three academic years of experience (beyond internship) and go through an examination and application process.
School psychologists take the Praxis School Psychology Specialty Area Examination as their written examination. They also take an oral jurisprudence examination.

The Application Process

Applications are available on the Board site. Candidates will select supervised experience forms based on their licensing pathway. The application packet includes a statement that requires notarization. Applicants must include a $125 fee.
The Board will require at least three letters of reference from psychologists.
Transcripts may be requested from the issuing institution or included in the application packet in their original sealed envelopes.

Applications should be mailed to the Board office in Columbus.
Ohio requires state and criminal background checks. Candidates should visit the site of the state attorney general to find a list of agencies that hold a National Web Check designation..

Candidates should be prepared to pay $26 to $29 each for the FBI and BCI background checks. The Board notes that fees for fingerprinting services are typically $15 to $20. However, fees are subject to increase. Candidates may call the Board office with questions about the fingerprinting process.

Out-of-State Psychologists

The Board notes that out-of-state applicants should have their fingerprints made when they are in Ohio for the oral examination. There are fingerprinting sites located near the sites where the jurisprudence examination is administered.

Out-of-state psychologists have a simplified application process if they present with ABPP, CPQ, or NRHSPP credentials. In this instance, transcripts, supervision forms, and EPPP score verification are not required.

Under new law, senior psychologists (those licensed for at least ten consecutive years) may be licensed without meeting requirements to the letter.
Nonresident psychologists may apply for a permit which will allow for up to 30 days of practice in Ohio during the span of one year. The Ohio Board will require evidence of doctoral education and supervised practice. A CPQ or ABPP credential can simplify the process.

International Psychologists

Internationally educated psychologists may have their education evaluated for equivalency provided the degree-granting institution is listed in the International Handbook of Universities or the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. The evaluation must be carried out, at applicant expense, by a NACES member organization.

Upon successful review, the candidate will send certain documents to the Board Entrance Examiner. The examiner will need to see, among other things, the dissertation abstract.

Additional Information for Ohio psychologists

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 Ohio.

Candidates are advised to read licensing laws in their entirety. The Board may be reached at (614) 466-8808.

The Ohio Psychological Association does not issue licenses, but serves as a professional resource.