Master's Level Psychologists

Topic:
PSYCHOLOGISTS; LICENSING; MEDICAL PERSONNEL;
Location:
MEDICAL PERSONNEL;

March 2, 1998 98-R-0373

FROM: John Kasprak, Senior Attorney

RE: Master's Level Psychologists

You asked if any states license or otherwise recognize master's level psychologists.

SUMMARY

Based on a review of the 1997 and 1998 editions of the “Handbook of Licensing and Certification Requirements for Psychologists in North America” (produced by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards), 23 states give some sort of recognition to psychologists holding a master's level of education (as opposed to doctoral-level psychologists).

Recognition includes licensure, certification, or registration of individuals known as Psychological Associates, Psychological Examiners, Psychological Assistants, Master's Level Psychologists, Psychological Technicians, and School Psychologists.

Table 1 following provides detailed information on these 23 states including educational, experience, and examination requirements; supervision requirements; and restrictions on practice. “EPPP” refers to the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, a test given throughout the country.

Table 1 – Recognition of Master's Level Psychologists in Other States

*State*	*Professional Title*	*Licensure/Certification/Other*	*Requirements*	*Supervision/Restrictions on Practice*
Alaska	Psychological Associate (Title may have been recently upgraded	License	Masters degree in psychology; 2 years postmaster's experience; examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and state law and ethics exam	Supervision requirement repealed in 1996.
Arkansas	Psychological Examiner	License	Master's degree; 500 hour internship or practicum; EPPP and oral exam.	Supervision by licensed psychologists and adherence to statement of intent
California	Registered Psychological Assistant	Registration	Master's degree, no experience or examination requirements	May provide limited psychological services under employment and supervision of licensed psychologists.
Delaware	Registered Psychological Assistant	Registration	Master's degree in psychology related field; 450 hrs. experience as part of program of studies; no exam requirement.	Must work under supervision of Delaware – licensed psychologist.
Kansas	Licensed Master's Level Psychologist	License	Graduate degree in clinical psychology or in psychology with specified coursework; 1,500 hours postgraduate if 750 hour practicum is missing; EPPP	Practice under direction of licensed psychologist
Kentucky	Certified Psychological Associate	Certification	Master's degree; 600 hours supervised experience; EPPP	Must be supervised by licensed psychologist.
Maine	Psychological Examination	License	Master's degree in psychology; 1,500 hrs. post-master's with 3 hours supervision per week, complete within 2 yrs; EPPP and oral exam.	Must be supervised by fully licensed psychologists..
Maryland	Psychology Associate	“Approval as” (not “licensure”)	Master's degree in psychology or substantial equivalent as determined by Board of Examiners of Psychologists; Supervision required: 1 hour every 5 hours of therapy or for every psychological test battery; no exam.	Practice under supervision of licensed psychologist.
Michigan	1. Master's Limited License 2. Temporary Limited	1. License 2. Limited License	1. Master's degree, 500 hours practicum and 2000 hours ( in 1 year minimum) postmaster's professional experience; no exam 2. Master's degree; 500 hour practicum; no exam	1. Must be supervised by full-licensed (doctor) psychologist 2. Must be supervised by fully licensed psychologist
Minnesota	Licensed Psychological Practitioner	License	Master's or doctoral degree in psychology; no requirement for postdegree experience; EPPP and written professional responsibility exam	Practice under supervision
New Hampshire	Registered Psychological Assistant	Registration	Master's degree; 1 year supervised experience (1000 hours) within 12 to 24 months, supervision 1 hour per week.	Work under supervision of certified psychologist
New Mexico	Psychologist Associate	License	Master's degree in psychology; no experience requirement, EPPP and oral exam.	Must be supervised
North Carolina	Licensed Psychological Associate	License	Master's or specialist degree; no experience for initial license, EPPP and state exam	Must be supervised for certain activities
Ohio	School Psychologist	License	Master's degree in school psychology or graduate degree deemed equivalent by Ohio Board of Psychology; 1 year supervised internship or other acceptable supervised experience -- additional 3 yrs. supervised experience required if in non-exempt setting, oral exam.	Practice limited to school psychology.
Oklahoma	Psychological Technician	Registration	Master's degree; no experience or exam requirement.	Provides technical assistance to psychologist, not an independent practitioner
Oregon	Psychologist Associate	License	Master's degree in psychology; internship plus 3 years post degree; EPPP and oral exam.	Licensed for 3 years to practice under supervision of licensed psychologist, may then petition board for independent practice.
Tennessee	Psychological Examiner	License	Master's degree; 300 hour practicum, 25% supervision/ 75% direct service; EPPP and oral exam	Supervision by health service provider, psychologist supervision required for certain activities.
Texas	Licensed Psychological Associate	License	Master's degree (42 credit hours minimum with 27 hours in psychology); 450 hours experience under licensed psychologist; EPPP and jurisprudence exam.	Must practice under supervision of licensed psychologist
Vermont	Psychologist- Master	License	Master's degree from regionally accredited school; no experience requirement; EPPP	--
Virginia	School Psychologist	License	Master's in school psychology – at least 60 semester hours from regionally accredited institution, 1 year postdegree supervised full-time residency; EPPP, state practice exam, state jurisprudence exam	Limited to scope of practice as defined in rules
West Virginia	Psychologist	License	Master's degree in psychology and 5 years postgraduate experience or approved doctorate and 2 years experience; EPPP and oral exam	Practice with competencies presented at oral exam.
Wisconsin	Private Practice School Psychologist	Certification	Master's degree in psychology; 1 year experience as school psychologist under supervision of cooperating school psychologist; exam on practice of school psychology (NTE) and state law exam.	Practice limited to school-related issues in area of education training and experience
Wyoming	1. Psychological Practitioner 2. Specialist in School Psychology	1. Certification 2. Certification	1. Doctoral or master's degree in psychology; minimum 42 graduate hours; 450 hrs. supervised practicum or internship; EPPP 2. Masters degree in school psychology plus 30 graduate semester hours or higher degree with 60 graduate hours minimum; 1200 hours internship in school psychology – 600 in school setting; National School Psychologist exam.	1. Supervised by licensed doctoral – level psychologist 2. Practice of School Psychology; must be supervised by school psychologist or appropriate psychologist.

JK:tjo