How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in Florida

If you are intrigued by human behavior and thought process, then you might want to kick-start a career in the field of psychology. Skim through this comprehensive guide to understand how to become a psychologist in Florida.

Prospective psychologists should bear in mind that the process of becoming a psychologist in Florida is lengthy. Hence, it is wise to research about the entire procedure before setting on this path. Below is a list of requirements that you would be expected to meet if you want to join this exciting field:

1. Education Requirements
The state of Florida requires aspiring psychologists to gain extensive education. Individuals have to complete doctoral programs in Psychology, which should be accredited by the American Psychological Association. You have the option of pursuing a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology.

2. Training Requirements
After completing the doctorate degree, you will be required to complete 4,000 hours of supervised practical experience. Without completing the training hours, you won’t be eligible to apply for the state license.

3. Certification and Licensing Requirements
Once you have met the educational and experience requirements, you can then apply to the Florida Board of Psychology for the state license. You must clear the Florida Laws and Rules exam in addition to the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in order to gain licensure.

In order to become a licensed psychologist in Florida, you will be required to clear the following stages:

1. Acquire an Undergraduate and Graduate Degree in Psychology
You will have to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Psychology, in addition to a Master of Science (M.S) in Psychology. You are advised to research the accreditation status of the programs before enrolling in them. Please note that if you have completed an unaccredited program, you would not be deemed eligible to apply for the state license.

2. Obtain a Doctorate Degree and Complete Supervised Training
In order to apply for the state license, you will be required to hold a doctoral level education in the field of psychology. You will also have to complete 4,000 hours of supervised practical experience – this includes both doctoral level psychology internship (2,000 hours) and post-doctoral supervised experience (2,000 hours).

3. Fill in the Application Form and Apply for a License

In order to apply for the license, you should download the Psychologist Licensure application form from the internet and mail it to address mentioned on the form. The form will ask you questions about your personal data, educational credentials, employment history, certifications and criminal history. You are encouraged to send all relevant supporting documents to expedite the licensure process.

The Board will send you the status of your application within thirty days after receiving it. You can also go to the MQA Online Service Portal to check the status of your application in real time. Please note that the Florida Laws and Rules exam and the National Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) must be taken and cleared prior to license. Once your licensure application is approved, you will be issued your license number within 5 to 7 working days.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the annual mean wage of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists in Florida was $76,190 in 2018, while the national average for that year was $85,340.