The role of a licensed psychologist in California involves providing independent professional services, including assessment, diagnosis, and intervention across various settings and populations. The California Board of Psychology oversees the journey to obtaining this license. This path requires advanced academic study, extensive supervised practice, and the successful navigation of administrative and examination hurdles. Aspiring practitioners must approach the process with attention to state-specific regulations and documentation requirements.
Earning the Required Doctoral Degree
The foundational requirement for licensure is a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Acceptable degrees include the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), or the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a specialization in a relevant psychological area. Either degree is acceptable provided the program meets the Board’s standards.
California does not strictly require APA or CPA accreditation, but accredited programs generally streamline the application review process. The Board requires that the educational program be a planned course of study integrating the science and practice of psychology. Additionally, the state mandates specific pre-licensure coursework covering topics such as human sexuality, substance abuse, spousal abuse, and aging.
Completing Supervised Professional Experience
The practical training component, Supervised Professional Experience (SPE), requires a total of 3,000 hours. At least 1,500 hours must be accrued post-doctorally, after the doctoral degree has been conferred. The remaining 1,500 hours may be completed pre-doctorally, but only after the applicant has completed a minimum of 48 semester or 72 quarter units of graduate coursework.
All SPE must be completed under formal supervision agreements; hours accrued before the agreement will not be accepted. The Board imposes time limits on accrual: pre-doctoral SPE must be finished within 30 consecutive months, and post-doctoral SPE is subject to limits of either 30 or 60 consecutive months, depending on the application path.
Regulatory guidelines govern the work week structure and supervision level. A maximum of 44 hours per week can be credited toward the SPE requirement. The trainee must receive supervision for 10% of the total time worked each week, ensuring a consistent ratio of direct practice to mentorship. The supervisor must submit verification of experience forms, signed under penalty of perjury, in a sealed envelope signed across the seal.
Passing the Licensing Examinations
Candidates must successfully pass two distinct examinations: the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLEE). The EPPP is a standardized test assessing foundational psychological knowledge and competency. Eligibility for the EPPP is granted upon verification of the doctoral degree and a minimum of 1,500 hours of qualifying SPE.
The CPLEE is a state-specific jurisprudence examination focusing exclusively on the laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing psychology practice in California. This examination directly references the California Business and Professions Code and Board of Psychology statutes. The CPLEE is typically taken after the EPPP has been passed and the candidate has completed all 3,000 hours of SPE.
The administrative process begins when the applicant files a request with the Board of Psychology. The Board determines eligibility and submits approval to the respective exam vendors, who then provide scheduling instructions. Passing the EPPP is a prerequisite for being approved to sit for the CPLEE.
Submitting the Final Licensing Application
The final stage involves submitting a formal application package to the California Board of Psychology. This package must include the completed application form, required fees, and official transcripts verifying the doctoral degree. The Board reviews the submission to confirm that all prior requirements—education, supervised experience, and examination scores—have been met and properly documented.
A mandatory component is the criminal history background check, completed through electronic fingerprinting via the Live Scan system. Applicants must complete a “Request for Live Scan Service” form and submit fingerprints at a certified Live Scan site within California. The Department of Justice and the FBI electronically send the results directly to the Board.
The Board utilizes the BreEZe online system for the initial application and fee payment. However, certain documents, such as official transcripts and sealed Verification of Experience forms, must still be submitted via mail. Accurate record-keeping is essential, as missing or improperly submitted documentation can cause significant delays in the final issuance of the license.
Maintaining Your California Psychology License
Once the license is granted, practitioners must adhere to ongoing requirements to maintain active status. The license operates on a biennial renewal cycle, requiring renewal every two years. The primary requirement for renewal is the completion of mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.
Licensees must complete 36 hours of approved CPD during each two-year renewal period. This total must include specific subject matter requirements: four hours in the area of Law and Ethics, and another four hours addressing Cultural Diversity and/or Social Justice as it applies to psychological practice. The Board also requires that the 36 hours be accrued from at least two of the four approved CPD categories. New licensees often have an additional one-time training requirement, such as a course on suicide risk assessment and intervention, which must be completed by the first renewal. Licensees must remain current with all updates to the California Business and Professions Code and the Board’s regulations.