The New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions defines the process for licensure for a psychologist in New York. It must be noted, that for you to use the title of ‘psychologist’ in the state of New York, licensure is mandatory. The process for becoming a psychologist in New York is three-fold: (1) Candidate should be of a good moral character; (2) Candidate should be at least 21 years of age; (3) Candidate must meet all the education, examination and experience requirements.
This process is a long and time-consuming one. In order to complete it successfully, you should be aware of all the requirements that need to be fulfilled and the amount of time they would take.

How Long Does It Take to become a Psychologist in New York


In order to become a psychologist in New York, candidates will have to meet certain educational and experience requirements. These are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degree – 4 Years

This is the first step towards becoming a psychologist in New York. This four year long degree will help form a foundation for further studies in the field of psychology.

Master’s_Degree – 2 Years

Even though most psychologists go for this as a separate degree, many colleges now offer it as part of a joint program with a doctorate degree.

PsyD or PhD in Psychology – At least 3 Years

The doctorate degree you choose must be registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as licensure qualifying. Students will be required to complete at least three years of full-time study or equivalent, including tutorials and seminars etc. Coursework would include topics such as scientific and professional ethics of practice, along with issues of ethnic and cultural diversity. The department also provides a list of content areas in which coursework must be completed, along with the completion of one year of supervised practicum, field experience or internship.

Experience – 2 Years

Candidates applying for a New York State psychology license must present proof of two years of full-time supervised experience (defined as 1,750 clock hours per year). Details for the experience requirements can be found in Section 7601-A of the State Education Law.

Licensing Examinations – A Few Months

In order to get licensed, you will have to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). You should get a converted score of at least 75 to clear this exam. The New York State only requires EPPP Part 1 – Knowledge, as a basis for licensure. EPPP Part 2 – Skills has not yet been adopted in New York State. Detailed licensing requirements can be found on the official New York State Education Department’s website.

How Much Do Psychologists Make in New York?

As per data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists in New York made an annual mean income of $94,140. This is substantially higher than the national mean of $85,340.