How Do I Become a Licensed Psychologist in Texas

Becoming a psychologist in Texas can open up a vast number of employment opportunities for you, in private practice, research or a government organization. Being the second most populous state in the country, the Lone Star State has a massive need for trained psychology professionals, to deal with an increasing number of mental illnesses.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this field in Texas, the following guide will provide you a comprehensive insight into the requirements and steps to become a psychologist in Texas.

To become a psychologist in Texas, you will have to follow a series of steps. These include the following:

1. Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Even though a major in psychology is not important at this stage, it is still recommended that you complete a bachelor’s degree in this field. If not, then it would be ideal to go for coursework related to psychology to set yourself up for further education.

2. Complete a Master’s Degree in Psychology
As with the bachelor’s degree, the recommended major for a master’s degree would be psychology or a related science.

3. Get a PsyD or PhD in Psychology
This is the minimum level of education you will need to practice as a psychologist in Texas. A PsyD is usually ideal for those who want to practice psychology in a clinical setting, while a PhD is more suited for those who want to go into research. The length of these programs will vary, depending on the concentration, institute chosen and study hours involved.
Some universities might allow students to get their master’s and doctoral degrees as part of a dual-degree program.

4. Get Licensed to Practice in Texas
This would involve passing the licensing exams – the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Jurisprudence Examination. You will also be required to complete supervised professional experience of 2 years by the Board to fully become a psychologist. Following this, you may submit your application for licensure with the Board. The typical waiting time before you receive your license is around 6 weeks.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists made an annual mean income of $73,650 in Texas in 2018. Texas also happens to be the state with the third highest employment level for psychologists, with 6,680 jobs. The only two states with higher number of jobs in this field than Texas are California and New York.

To become a psychologist, you will have to get a four year long bachelor’s degree, followed by completion of a two year long master’s program. After this, you will complete a PhD program, which can take around 4 to 7 years. Once you have completed the educational requirements, the licensing process and required experience can take an additional 2 years.