How to Get Your Maine Psychology License in 2026: A Guide
A career as a licensed psychologist in Maine puts you in an exclusive professional circle. The state has just 590 psychologists serving its population of 672,969 as of 2022. Licensed psychologists enjoy attractive salaries, with practitioners averaging $81,803. Clinical and counseling specialists can expect even higher earnings around $114,470 per year.
Maine sets strict standards for psychology licenses to ensure excellent patient care. Licensed professionals must complete 40 hours of continuing education by April 30th each year. This includes 3 mandatory hours focused on ethics. The psychology field’s job growth in Maine looks modest at 2.6% between 2020 and 2030. This rate falls below the national average of 7.5%. The state’s Board of Psychologists doesn’t accept license reciprocity from other states.
This detailed guide walks you through each step needed to get your psychology license in Maine for 2026. You’ll learn about educational paths, supervised experience requirements, exam prerequisites, and application steps. The information here helps you build a successful career in this challenging yet fulfilling profession.
Educational pathways
You need a solid education to get your Maine psychology license. Your career goals will determine which educational path you should take.
Bachelor’s Degree: The Foundation
A bachelor’s degree is your first step. You’ll need four years (120 credit hours) of full-time study to complete it. You can choose any major, but psychology courses will give you an advantage. These classes might be required when you apply to graduate psychology programs. This first stage builds your knowledge base before you move to specialized training.
Master’s Degree Options
You have two paths to choose from at the master’s level:
- You can get a standalone master’s degree in psychology. This usually takes two to three years (30-40 credit hours). This option works well if you didn’t study psychology before or want extra experience before starting doctoral studies.
- Many doctoral programs include a master’s degree in their curriculum. This means you don’t always need a separate master’s degree.
Maine also offers a psychological examiner license if you have a master’s degree. You’ll need complete training in psychology from an accredited school that the Maine board of psychologists recognizes. This path requires at least one year of full-time supervised psychology experience.
Doctoral Degree Requirements
You need a doctoral degree to become a licensed psychologist in Maine. The state accepts two types of doctoral degrees:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Your doctoral program must meet one of these standards:
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)
- Accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
- Approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Provides training that meets Board criteria
Your doctoral training must include a year-long (1,500-hour) predoctoral internship that counts toward your supervised experience.
Required Coursework Components
Maine’s psychology license requirements include several core areas. Your complete training must cover:
- Three hours of coursework about family or intimate partner violence screening, referral, and intervention strategies
- Knowledge of community resources and cultural factors
- Evidence-based risk assessment
- Understanding of same-gender abuse dynamics
You can complete this coursework as part of other required courses or as standalone courses. Options include contact hours, internet hours, or distance learning.
Educational Institutions in Maine
The University of Maine in Orono offers the state’s main doctoral psychology programs. Their Doctoral Training Program in Clinical Psychology has kept its American Psychological Association accreditation since 1975. The program combines science and professional practice through the scientist-practitioner model.
Students starting with undergraduate work can choose from about twelve psychology schools in Maine that offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Many students finish their undergraduate studies at these schools before moving to the University of Maine for doctoral work.
This overview of educational requirements will help you plan your path to getting your Maine psychology license.
Supervised Experience Requirements
Getting a psychology license in Maine requires extensive supervised professional experience. The Maine Board of Psychologists requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience. These hours are split evenly between pre-doctoral and post-doctoral periods.
Pre-Doctoral Experience Requirements
You’ll need exactly 1,500 hours of pre-doctoral supervised experience spread across 48 to 104 weeks. Your weekly work schedule should range between 16 and 40 hours.
The supervision phase needs two hours of face-to-face supervision each week plus two hours of learning activities. This requirement stays the same whether your internship lasts one or two years. Learning activities usually include group supervision, seminars, and case conferences.
The rules about time are specific. At least 50% of your pre-doctoral hours should focus on service-related activities like assessment, interviews, report writing, case presentations, treatment, and consultation. Direct patient/client contact must take up at least 25% of your total hours. Research can’t exceed 25% of your time.
Post-Doctoral Experience Requirements
After finishing your doctoral program, you’ll need another 1,500 hours of supervised experience over 48 to 104 weeks. Just like the pre-doctoral phase, you must work between 16 and 40 hours weekly.
Supervision requirements change slightly at this stage. You need one hour of face-to-face supervision each week plus one hour of learning activities. The Maine Board might allow changes to supervision frequency if you face geographical challenges. You’ll still need at least four hours of one-to-one supervision every month.
Your post-doctoral experience should dedicate 25% to 60% of time to direct service activities. Most of your work should focus on your intended practice area.
Supervision Program Standards
A licensed psychologist in the state where supervision happens must oversee both your pre-doctoral and post-doctoral experiences. The supervision program needs:
- A well-laid-out program that offers psychological services
- Physical components like office space, support staff, and necessary equipment
- Written documentation of program rules and regulations
- A written individualized training plan created when training begins
- Regular written evaluations every six months at minimum
Your supervisor will fill out verification forms about your performance after you complete your supervised experience. These forms confirm you met all requirements, including hours worked, supervision frequency, and time allocation.
Programs with American Psychological Association accreditation automatically meet all supervision requirements. If you’re applying for a conditional or temporary license, you need to submit an agreement letter signed by you and your Maine-licensed psychologist supervisor.
Licensing Examinations
Your path to a Maine psychology license requires passing two key standardized tests: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Maine Jurisprudence Examination.
EPPP Requirements
The EPPP is a national test that reviews your overall psychology knowledge. Psychologist candidates need a score of 70% to pass (scaled score of 500). The requirements differ slightly for psychological examiner candidates, who need 65% to pass.
The board must approve your original application before you can register for the EPPP. You’ll have one year to take this test after getting approval. The testing company will send you an email directly, so make sure your email address stays current.
Maine Jurisprudence Examination
The Maine Jurisprudence Examination checks your understanding of state laws and ethical standards for psychological practice. The Board sends this test through certified mail after they review your application. You’ll need to send it back within 20 days and score at least 80% to pass.
You’ll need to wait 30 days to retake the test if you don’t pass. Good preparation makes a big difference.
Study Resources
The Board suggests these materials to help you prepare for the jurisprudence exam:
- Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists Law (32 MRS Chapter 56)
- Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists Rules (Chapters 1-10)
- Laws Related to the Practice of Psychology in Maine (10 MRS, Chapter 901)
- Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA)
- Code of Conduct (ASPPB)
- Maine Rules of Evidence – Rule 503
You can bring these materials with you during the test.
Application Process
You’ll need to submit your application first to get exam approval. Psychologists who already passed the EPPP elsewhere need a different form. The board will let the testing company know once they confirm you’re qualified to take the EPPP.
The testing company sends your scores electronically to the board. The score processing usually takes about 30 days. You’ll get your results in writing from the board.
The Maine Board of Psychologists website has specific applications available if you need to retake either test.
Application & Licensure Process
The Maine Board of Psychologists requires candidates to complete their education, experience, and examinations before starting the formal application process. Several application pathways exist based on individual circumstances.
Candidates must choose the right application type. New applicants need to submit an “Application to Take EPPP” form, while those who passed the EPPP use the “Psychologist Passed EPPP” form. Licensed psychologists from other states can use the “Psychologist by Endorsement” application that simplifies the process.
The licensing process involves various fees. Regular psychologist applications cost $321.00 when candidates need to take the EPPP, or $271.00 if they passed it already. These fees cover the license, criminal background check ($21.00), and processing costs.
Maine provides two temporary license options when interim practice authorization becomes necessary:
- Conditional License ($200.00) – Permits supervised practice for one year while completing requirements. Cannot be renewed.
- Temporary License ($200.00) – Allows out-of-state psychologists to practice briefly. Also non-renewable.
Application packets must contain:
- Completed application form
- Documentation of supervised experience
- Official doctoral transcript
- EPPP scores (sent directly from the testing company)
- Three professional references (two from licensed psychologists)
- Criminal background check fee
- Verification of any previous professional licenses
The board emphasizes that incomplete or altered applications might face cancelation without review. Candidates can mail their completed materials to the Augusta address or deliver them to the Gardiner office.
Recent applicants report a typical processing time of one month from submission to approval. The license status becomes visible online immediately after approval, and candidates receive email confirmation the next day.
Maine psychology licenses need renewal every year by April 30th with a $125.00 fee. A $50.00 penalty applies to late renewals. Renewals more than 90 days past expiration might require reapplication under current requirements, though the board may waive examination requirements within two years.
Maine plans to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in 2025, which will allow qualified psychologists to practice in participating states without additional licenses.
Continuing Education
You need ongoing professional development through continuing education (CE) to keep your Maine psychology license active. The Maine Board of Psychologists requires 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years. Your CE hours must fall between renewal periods, and you’ll need to submit documentation during even-numbered year renewals.
The requirements include 3 hours focused on ethics. Psychologists who supervise others need an extra 3 hours to learn supervision skills and principles. Your practice area or planned specialty should cover at least 20 hours of your CE credits.
New licensees have a special requirement. You’ll need 3 contact hours learning about family or intimate partner violence screening, referral, and intervention strategies. This training covers community resources, cultural factors, evidence-based risk assessment, and same-gender abuse dynamics.
The board has simplified the renewal process. You don’t need to submit CE logs anymore – just certify completion on your renewal form. Make sure to keep detailed records though, as the board randomly audits licensees. They’ll send you a written notice asking for documentation if you’re selected.
The Maine Board of Psychologists approves CE from these providers:
- American Psychological Association (APA) and its approved sponsors
- Maine Psychological Association
- University of Maine System
- Maine Medical Center
- State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services
- Academies of the Specialty Boards of the American Board of Professional Psychology
You can get your CE credits through different formats. Maine lets you complete all 40 hours through online self-study courses. Just remember that your CE must relate to psychology practice.
Your license needs renewal by April 30th each year, with CE documentation due every other year. Missing these requirements might lead to license suspension or extra remediation work.
Special State Variations
Maine stands out from other states with its unique psychology licensing pathways and requirements. The Maine Board of Psychologists grants a “psychological examiner” license – a master’s-level credential that allows supervised practice, something many other states don’t offer.
Psychological examiners can conduct interviews, give tests, and interpret mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, and personality characteristics. They can provide some intervention services like consultation, behavior management, or social skills training under a licensed psychologist’s supervision. The rules are clear – psychological examiners can’t provide psychotherapy services under any circumstances.
This special license requires a master’s degree with complete training in psychology from an accredited institution and one year of supervised experience. The passing score requirement differs from psychologists – psychological examiners just need 65% on the EPPP, compared to psychologists’ 70%. Both license types share a similar jurisprudence examination requirement with an 80% passing score.
Maine’s Department of Education currently provides several paths to become a certified school psychologist:
- Hold a current Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate
- Graduate from a NASP-approved school psychology program
- Hold a current psychology license with evidence of competency in school psychology
- Complete a graduate degree with concentration in school psychology
The fourth option requires three years of full-time study, 60 graduate semester hours, and a 1,200-hour internship with half completed in school settings.
Maine added a new requirement in January 2020. All candidates seeking their original psychologist license must complete at least 3 hours of coursework in family or intimate partner violence screening, referral and intervention strategies.
Maine joined the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in 2021, which lets qualified psychologists practice in participating states without extra licenses. All the same, Maine doesn’t accept out-of-state licenses directly, so all applicants must meet Maine’s specific requirements.