How to Become a Psychologist in Florida
Want to know how to become a psychologist in Florida? The career outlook is promising. Employment for clinical and counseling psychologists in Florida will grow 20.1% from 2023 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. The state currently has 5,430 licensed psychologists who earn between $77,000 and $110,000 annually based on their specialization and work setting.
Your experience to become a licensed psychologist in Florida demands deep commitment. You’ll need a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited institution. The requirements include 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and passing both national and Florida-specific examinations. The whole process takes 9-11 years to complete. This includes four years for your bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years for your doctoral program. This guide outlines the Florida psychology license requirements step by step to help you direct your path from education through application to the Florida Board of Psychology.
Educational pathways
Starting a trip toward Florida psychology licensure requires proper education planning. Florida law requires a doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program to qualify as a licensed psychologist.
Bachelor’s Degree Foundation
A bachelor’s degree takes four years of full-time study to complete. Psychology majors have a natural foundation, but graduate programs don’t strictly require this major. Students should take courses in research methods, statistics, and biological aspects of behavior. Academic advising helps students who choose psychology later determine which credits apply to this career path.
Master’s Degree Considerations
Direct entry into doctoral programs doesn’t require a master’s degree. Some students complete this intermediate step, which takes 1-2 years. Many doctoral programs include master’s-level coursework as part of their curriculum and blend the two degrees.
Doctoral Degree Requirements
The foundation of psychological education in Florida is the doctoral degree. The Florida Board of Psychology accepts only:
- D. in Psychology (research-oriented)
- D. (practice-oriented)
- D. in Psychology (education-focused)
Your program must have APA accreditation when you enroll and graduate. APA represents the only programmatic accrediting agency the U.S. Department of Education approves for doctoral-level psychology programs.
Program Models and Specializations
Florida doctoral programs feature different training models:
- The Scientist-Practitioner Model (Boulder Model) balances research and practice
- The Practitioner-Scientist Model (Vail Model) emphasizes clinical skills with strong theoretical knowledge
Programs offer specialized tracks like:
- Clinical psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Forensic psychology
- Child and family psychology
- Integrated behavioral health
Program Duration and Structure
Students complete doctoral programs in 4-7 years. These intensive programs combine coursework, research, and clinical practice. Most programs need about 120 graduate credit hours, including a year-long internship, research experience, and dissertation.
International Education Considerations
Students with psychology education from outside the United States must provide:
- A credentials evaluation report showing degree equivalency
- A letter of APA comparability from an APA-accredited program director confirming program equivalence
Admission Requirements
Doctoral psychology programs maintain competitive admission standards. Programs typically need:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA (upper division)
- Research experience beyond coursework
- Strong recommendation letters
- Personal statement describing research interests
- Transcripts from previous institutions
Many Florida institutions now offer GRE waivers to qualified applicants, though this test was previously standard.
Hands-on research experience and clinical exposure strengthen applications and professional development. A solid educational foundation helps students complete supervised experience requirements and licensing examinations successfully.
Supervised Experience Requirements
Getting supervised professional experience is a vital milestone for aspiring psychologists in Florida. The Florida Board of Psychology requires 4,000 hours of supervised experience to qualify for licensure. This requirement will give you practical skills under proper guidance before you start practicing independently.
Internship Hours
Your doctoral-level psychology internship covers the first 2,000 hours of required supervised experience. The internship typically provides:
- Two hours of individual supervision each week
- Extra supervision in group settings
- Direct client contact, assessment, and report writing experience
Most Florida internship programs need you to complete your master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology. You must also advance to candidacy by successfully defending your dissertation proposal before applying.
Post-Doctoral Experience
You need to complete the remaining 2,000 hours as post-doctoral supervised experience. These hours must follow specific criteria:
- 20 hours per week average over no more than 104 weeks, or 40 hours per week over no more than 52 weeks
- At least 900 hours in direct client contact activities
- Two hours minimum of clinical supervision weekly, with one hour of face-to-face individual supervision
Your supervisor must be a licensed psychologist who takes professional responsibility for your work. They review and co-sign treatment notes and have final authority in all professional disagreements.
Documentation and Verification
You must sign a written agreement with your supervisor before starting post-doctoral experience. This agreement outlines your obligations and their responsibilities. After completion, your supervisor needs to verify your experience by filling out the “Supervising Psychologist Verification” form from the Florida Board of Psychology.
Each supervisor must complete a separate verification form if you gain post-doctoral experience at multiple locations or with different supervisors.
Bifurcation Option
The Florida system offers flexibility through the bifurcation option. This lets examination applicants take required exams while completing their post-doctoral supervised experience. This option can accelerate your path to licensure.
Supervised experience helps you develop essential clinical skills in assessment, intervention, consultation, and professionalism. This hands-on training bridges the gap between academic knowledge and independent practice. It prepares you for the licensing examinations that follow in your path to become a Florida psychologist.
Licensing Examinations
Psychology license candidates in Florida must pass two complete examinations after meeting education and supervised experience requirements. The exams will assess general psychology knowledge and state-specific regulations.
Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) administers the EPPP as a standardized national examination. This exam tests your psychology fundamentals and professional practice abilities. You must score at least 500 out of 800 on the EPPP to qualify for independent practice in Florida.
The Florida Board of Psychology must first review your credentials to confirm you meet state requirements. Once approved, you can register for the examination.
Florida Laws and Rules Examination
You must also pass Florida’s psychology laws and rules examination alongside the EPPP. This state exam will give a clear picture of your understanding of Florida’s legal and ethical practice guidelines. The test has 45 multiple-choice questions, with 40 scored questions. You need 80% or higher to pass.
The board will email you scheduling instructions after approval. Pearson VUE charges $128 as the exam fee. You get 60 minutes to finish the exam and see your preliminary results right after completion.
Application Methods
The Florida Board of Psychology provides different application paths based on your exam status:
- Examination: This path suits candidates who completed education and supervised experience but need both EPPP and Florida Laws and Rules exams.
- Examination with Waiver: This works for candidates who passed EPPP with Florida’s acceptable score but still need the Florida Laws and Rules exam.
- Bifurcation/Examination: Candidates can take required exams while finishing post-doctoral supervised hours if they completed educational requirements.
- Bifurcation/Examination with Waiver: This fits candidates who finished education and passed EPPP but are completing supervised experience and need the Florida Laws and Rules exam.
The Florida Department of Health receives all exam results within five business days after completion. Failed candidates must submit a re-examination application to the Board of Psychology for another attempt.
Passing these exams is a key milestone toward your Florida psychology license. It proves your professional expertise and knowledge of state practice guidelines.
Application & Licensure Process
Getting your psychology license in Florida requires one final step after you complete your education, supervised experience, and examinations. You need to navigate the application and licensure process. The Florida Board of Psychology provides several application methods that match your specific situation.
You must select one of these application options:
- Examination: For applicants who need to take both the EPPP and Florida Laws and Rules examination
- Examination with Waiver: For those who previously passed the EPPP with an acceptable score
- Bifurcation/Examination: Allows sitting for exams while completing post-doctoral experience
- Bifurcation/Examination with Waiver: For those who passed the EPPP but are still completing supervised hours
The application process requires a non-refundable fee of $305.00. This fee covers the application ($200.00), original licensure ($100.00), and unlicensed activity ($5.00). You can submit applications online or mail them to the Florida Board of Psychology.
You’ll need these additional materials:
- Official doctoral transcripts sent directly from your institution to the Board
- Verification of supervised experience using the Board’s “Supervising Psychologist Verification” form
- EPPP score transfer request through ASPPB or verification of ABPP specialty certification
- License verification from any state where you previously held a license
The Board staff reviews applications within 7 days after submission and sends email notifications about any missing items. Submitting all required documentation together helps avoid delays in processing.
Applications must be ready 30 days before scheduled Board meetings. Florida law requires you to pass both examinations or provide evidence of completed post-doctoral supervised experience within 24 months of your approval letter. Applications close if you miss this deadline.
The Board issues your license within 7 days once you meet all requirements. You’ll receive an email with your license number that allows you to start practicing right away. The Department of Health mails your physical license within 7 days after sending the email.
Psychology licenses in Florida expire May 31st of every even-numbered year. Your first renewal requires completion of a Board-approved 2-hour Prevention of Medical Errors course. Each subsequent two-year renewal period requires 40 hours of continuing education.
Continuing Education
Your Florida psychology license renewal depends on completing continuing education (CE) requirements. The Florida Board of Psychology sets specific standards that help you stay current with professional practices.
CE Requirements Overview
Florida psychologists must complete 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years. These hours should include:
- 3 hours on professional ethics and Florida Statutes and rules affecting psychology practice
- 2 hours on prevention of medical errors during each licensing period
- 2 hours on domestic violence every third renewal period
You can complete all 40 required hours through home study courses from approved providers. License renewal happens by May 31st in each even-numbered year.
Tracking and Reporting
Florida uses CE Broker to track continuing education credits. The Department of Health reviews your CE records automatically in this electronic system. Complete records allow smooth renewal. You’ll need to update any missing CE hours before you can proceed.
CE Broker provides these account options:
- A free Simple Account with tools for compliance reporting
- Optional paid Professional Accounts with premium tracking features
Approved CE Providers and Activities
The Florida Board of Psychology accepts courses from providers approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). Many providers have both APA approval and CE Broker compliance. They report your course completions directly to your CE profile.
Your continuing education credits can come from various sources:
- Graduate-level psychology courses (maximum 21 credits per renewal)
- Professional board service (maximum 5 credits)
- First-time teaching as an adjunct professor (maximum 20 credits)
- Publishing in the field of psychology (maximum 10 credits per publication)
- Attending psychology conferences (5 credits per biennium)
Reactivation Requirements
A license that stays inactive for more than two consecutive biennial cycles may require competency demonstration. This happens through a special purpose examination or additional continuing education.
Regular completion of CE requirements helps Florida psychologists maintain their legal practice status and professional growth.
Special State Variations
Florida handles psychologist licensing differently than other states. Unlike states that offer reciprocity, Florida uses an Endorsement of Other State License process. This pathway needs a detailed comparison between your current state’s requirements and Florida’s standards.
Psychologists who want endorsement must show their education, experience, and exam scores match Florida’s requirements. The state offers a faster path to endorsement for psychologists who graduated from APA-accredited programs and have 20 years of experience.
Florida became part of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in 2022. Licensed psychologists from compact states can now offer telepsychology services or provide temporary in-person care in Florida without a separate license.
Alternate pathways include:
- Out-of-State Telehealth Provider Registration lets non-resident psychologists serve Florida clients remotely
- Limited psychology license helps retired psychologists with 10+ years of experience serve underserved populations
- School psychologist licensure requires a master’s degree (60+ semester hours) and 4,500 hours of experience
The Florida Board of Psychology reviews applications within 30 days as required by law. This makes the licensing process straightforward despite its unique requirements.