How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in North Dakota

North Dakota psychologists earn $112,048 on average per year – 7% more than the national average. Mental health needs in the state are significant, with over a quarter of North Dakota residents experiencing mental illness last year. This creates growing opportunities for qualified psychology professionals across the state.

Starting your career as a psychologist in North Dakota requires specific licenses and qualifications. The North Dakota Board of Psychologists has set clear requirements. You’ll need a doctoral degree from an accredited program, complete 3,000 hours of supervised work, and pass both national and state exams. Clinical psychologists in the state earn even more at $173,725 per year, which is a big deal as it means that they make 54% above the national average.

This guide covers everything about becoming a licensed psychologist in North Dakota. You’ll find details about education paths, exam requirements, and the steps to start your psychology career. The future looks promising too – the state projects 17.6% growth for clinical, counseling, and school psychologist roles through 2034.

Educational Pathways

North Dakota sets specific academic standards that line up with national requirements for licensed psychologists. The state has its own unique requirements that psychologists must follow to practice.

The path to psychology licensure starts with undergraduate education. Most future psychologists begin with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related fields. North Dakota State University’s psychology major needs 120 semester credits, which includes research methods, statistics, and specialized psychology electives. Students need a minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 and must complete at least 36 upper-level credits in courses numbered 300 or higher.

The University of North Dakota gives students a choice between Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in psychology. Both degrees need 36 major hours with core courses like Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, and Statistics for Behavioral Sciences. These programs build the foundation needed for graduate studies.

A master’s degree isn’t required for licensure in North Dakota but serves as a helpful stepping stone. Several state institutions run master’s-level psychology programs that help students decide if doctoral studies match their career plans. Some doctoral programs let students earn their master’s degree while working on their thesis.

Getting licensed as a psychologist in North Dakota requires a doctoral degree. The North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners only accepts “a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA or CPA approved program”. This requirement is one of four key elements needed for psychology licensure, along with professional experience, passing the EPPP examination, and clearing the oral examination.

The state’s main doctoral program in clinical psychology lives at the University of North Dakota. The program has managed to keep its American Psychological Association accreditation since 1969. This scientist-practitioner program teaches students to work effectively in different settings by combining science and practice. The program usually has about 40 doctoral students with eight clinical psychology faculty members. They pick just seven new students each year from more than 100 applications.

Students need a four-year bachelor’s degree with 18 hours of undergraduate psychology coursework to qualify for this doctoral program. The coursework must include General Psychology, Developmental, Abnormal, Statistics, and Experimental Psychology. They also need a 3.2 cumulative undergraduate GPA and background in biological science and college algebra.

The UND doctoral program needs at least 90 total credit hours. Students take detailed courses in clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions, behavior pathology, and research methodology. A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the program.

Minot State University runs an Education Specialist degree for future School Psychologists. This three-year program focuses on practical experience and ends with a 1,200-hour internship. School psychologist licensure in North Dakota specifically needs a specialist degree or higher in School Psychology.

North Dakota has just over ten accredited schools offering psychology programs, but they provide some of the best training nationwide. These programs prepare students thoroughly to meet the strict standards of the North Dakota Board of Psychologists.

Supervised Experience Requirements

Getting your psychology license in North Dakota requires extensive supervised experience after your doctoral education. The North Dakota Board of Psychologists requires 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience to become fully licensed.

You’ll need to complete your supervised experience in two separate phases. The first phase needs 1,500 hours through a pre-doctoral internship in psychology practice. This must include at least 100 hours of supervision, and 50 of these must be one-to-one. The board automatically approves internships accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).

You have two options to complete the second 1,500 hours:

• Get 1,500 hours of supervised post-doctoral experience with at least 100 supervision hours (50 must be one-to-one with a licensed psychologist in good standing)
• Complete 1,500 hours of additional pre-doctoral training that meets specific criteria within your doctoral program and finish it within six years of getting your degree

The second requirement’s pre-doctoral experiences must happen after you complete at least 600 hours of introductory practicum. These hours must involve direct delivery of supervised psychological services. Your training should follow a sequential plan that grows in complexity. It must last at least 30 weeks with a minimum weekly onsite presence of 15 hours.

The supervision needs one hour per 15 hours onsite and must not drop below one hour weekly. Your main supervisor should have at least three years of licensure and be licensed where your training takes place.

Industrial-organizational psychologists still need 3,000 hours total, but they don’t need a pre-doctoral internship. They must complete at least 1,500 hours after their doctorate. The board needs to approve their individualized supervision plan.

You must submit a “Notification of Supervision of Psychology Resident Form” to the board before starting post-doctoral hours. Psychology residents can keep this status up to five years while they complete their supervised experience. Their supervising psychologist needs at least three years of professional experience.

School psychology interns follow a different path. They must apply through the Education Standards and Practices Board to get their School Psychologist Intern License. This costs $155, or $80 if they already have a North Dakota teaching license.

The North Dakota Century Code requires weekly supervision during post-doctoral supervised employment, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision. You should document all supervision hours carefully to support your licensure application.

Licensing Examinations

Getting your North Dakota psychology license requires passing two tough exams. The North Dakota Board of Psychologist Examiners needs you to clear these assessments that match professional standards.

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) comes first. This computer-based test measures your knowledge of psychological theory and practice across the United States and Canada. The Board must review and approve your PLUS Application before you can take this exam.

The next step takes you to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) website for registration. You’ll need to pay $600 when you sign up for the exam. An Authorization to Test (ATT) email will arrive soon after, giving you 60 days to take the test. You can pick any computerized testing center in North Dakota or other states. Remember that test centers might charge extra fees when you take the exam.

The EPPP uses a 500-point scale as the minimum passing score. ASPPB has set this score as the standard for success. If you don’t pass, you can retake the test, but you’ll need to pay the fees again. The ASPPB website offers study materials to help you prepare.

The oral examination phase starts after you pass the EPPP. This structured test looks at ethics, professional standards, and North Dakota’s specific laws. You must show solid knowledge of:

• Ethics and professional conduct
• Legal issues relevant to psychological practice
• North Dakota’s psychology laws and regulations

The Board records your answers during the oral exam and discusses them later. Three or more North Dakota Board members will review your performance. A majority of the Board must agree you’ve met their standards before issuing your license.

The rules say you can’t take the oral exam until you pass the EPPP and complete six months of supervised residency. This timing helps you understand ethical and legal matters through hands-on experience before your final license review.

After passing both exams and meeting other requirements, you can receive your full psychology license in North Dakota and practice independently within the state.

Application & Licensure Process

The North Dakota Board of Psychologist Examiners (NDSBPE) has a simple yet detailed application process for psychology licensure. A clear understanding of each step will help you avoid delays in your application.

Getting licensed in North Dakota follows a two-step application process. You’ll need to submit an Application Initiation Form to the Board Office with all required documents and pay $450 to NDSBPE. The Board Office will then send you an invitation to fill out the online Psychology Licensure Universal System (PLUS) Application on PSY|PRO. This second step requires a $200 payment to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).

The application process demands:

• Several hours to complete everything
• A few days of processing time
• Original source verifications
• Training program and faculty signatures

You should start your application early if you plan any career moves that need licensure. Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Applied Behavior Analysts, and Registered Applied Behavior Analysts all use this application form.

The Board will review your PLUS Application and decide if you can take the EPPP. You’ll pay $600 for the exam plus any testing site charges.

Licensed psychologists from other states can get their North Dakota license faster. While you’ll still use the Application Initiation Form, include your current license copy to start the verification. The Board might grant you provisional status to practice during the application review.

Out-of-state licensees can practice in North Dakota for 30 days within a year by paying $25. This option needs you to list your previous licenses, follow North Dakota rules and APA ethics, and submit your curriculum vitae.

Your psychology license comes after passing all exams and meeting requirements. The time from application to getting licensed depends on how fast you complete everything and the Board’s schedule.

Continuing Education

North Dakota psychologists need ongoing professional development through continuing education (CE) to keep their licenses active. The North Dakota Board of Psychologists requires 40 hours of continuing education every two years. Your biennial reporting cycle starts November 1st of the year you get your North Dakota license. Different timing applies to those licensed before January 1992.

The required hours must include at least 3 credits focused on professional ethics, law, or jurisprudence. Psychologists who supervise residents or registered applied behavior analysts need an extra 3 credits in supervision each reporting cycle.

The board accepts CE credits from these approved providers:

• American Psychological Association
• Canadian Psychological Association
• North Dakota or other state/provincial psychological associations
• Association of Social Work Boards approved programs (for content related to authorized practice)
• American Medical Association (for content related to authorized practice)

Psychologists can complete up to 20 hours through online or correspondence courses. The other hours should come from formal continuing education programs that offer immediate interaction between instructor and attendees.

You must submit your CE documentation to the board by November 15th after your two-year cycle ends. The application needs evidence that shows completion of all 40 credits on board-provided forms.

The board randomly checks about 10% of licensees to verify their continuing education claims during each reporting period. You should keep your verification documentation for two years after submission.

Your license might expire if you don’t meet CE requirements. Extensions are possible for illness or special circumstances, but you must ask for them by the November 15th deadline. License renewal happens by October 31st of the expiration year, and the board decides whether to grant extensions.

Special State Variations

North Dakota welcomes psychologists licensed in other states through several alternative pathways. The state maintains high standards while offering flexibility through special provisions.

Licensed psychologists from other jurisdictions can get their license quickly through three different paths:

• Verification of graduation from an accredited program, previous national examination passage, documentation of all professional licenses held, and endorsements from behavioral health professionals
• Holding a certificate of professional qualification in psychology issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
• Meeting requirements of any interstate compact agreement adopted by North Dakota

The state’s law gives special consideration to military spouses. The board must issue licenses to military spouses who show competency through at least two years of psychology experience in the four years before applying. This applies when the board confirms public safety won’t be at risk. Military spouses don’t have to pay any fees for licenses or provisional licenses under this provision.

Psychologists who need temporary practice privileges can apply for a Limited Practice Certificate. This certificate lets licensed psychologists from other jurisdictions practice in North Dakota up to 30 days within a one-year period for a nominal fee of $25.

The North Dakota Board offers provisional licensing as another option. Applicants from other jurisdictions can receive provisional status while their full application is under review. This provisional license lasts six months and can be extended for another six months, which allows practice during the application process.

Industrial/Organizational psychologists face slightly different requirements. These professionals don’t need a pre-doctoral internship like clinical psychologists do. They must complete 3,000 supervised hours with at least 1,500 post-doctoral hours. Their supervision needs to follow an individualized plan that the board approves.

The North Dakota Board has clear procedures to reinstate lapsed licenses. A license that expires due to nonpayment or incomplete continuing education requires reapplication. This process includes completing application forms, paying required fees, and possibly taking additional examinations.