How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in Massachusetts: 2026 Requirements Guide

A career as a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts demands 9-12 years of education and training. The path needs a bachelor’s degree, doctoral degree, and two years of supervised experience. The reward makes the effort worthwhile – clinical and counseling psychologists in Massachusetts take home an average of $102,630 annually.

The state’s job market looks bright for aspiring psychologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects psychology jobs to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2034. This growth rate surpasses many other professions by a lot. Anyone who wants to become a licensed psychologist must learn about the Massachusetts Board of Psychology’s specific requirements. This guide walks you through everything you need in 2026 – from educational paths and supervised experience to examinations and application steps.

Educational Pathways

A licensed psychologist’s education in Massachusetts starts with an undergraduate degree and concludes with doctoral training. The Massachusetts Board of Psychologist has specific academic requirements that candidates must meet to qualify for licensure.

The first step is getting a bachelor’s degree. This typically takes four years of full-time study or approximately 120 credit hours. You don’t need to major in psychology, but choosing another field means you’ll need to complete extra prerequisites before starting graduate programs.

After your bachelor’s degree, you can choose between two paths:

1. Direct entry into a doctoral program
2. Completion of a master’s degree before doctoral studies

The master’s degree path takes two to three years (30-40 credit hours). Some students take this route to build stronger doctoral program applications, while others earn their master’s during doctoral studies.

A doctoral degree is the foundation of Massachusetts psychology license requirements. The state recognizes two doctoral paths:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology: Research-focused with strong academic emphasis
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD): Practice-oriented with greater clinical training focus

Your doctoral program must meet strict accreditation standards. State regulations require qualifying programs to be:

• Designated as doctoral psychology programs by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) or the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, OR
• Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)

Doctoral programs require three academic years of full-time graduate study. Students must complete one full academic year at the degree-granting institution.

The core curriculum tests your competence through coursework that needs at least three graduate semester hours in each of these areas:

• Biological bases of behavior
• Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
• Social bases of behavior
• Individual differences
• Racial/ethnic bases of behavior with focus on people of color

Programs also need specialized coursework aligned with your practice area. Students pursuing health service provider endorsement should focus on clinical or counseling psychology specializations.

Doctoral dissertations or equivalent projects must show psychological methodology and content. This proves graduates have advanced research skills.

International applicants must prove their education matches U.S. doctoral psychology programs through credentials evaluation. These applications get extra review to verify similar training.

Massachusetts offers some of the nation’s best master’s and doctoral programs. Boston University’s APA-accredited clinical psychology program, 75 years old, leads many institutions offering specialized training in psychology disciplines of all types.

Strong educational preparation creates the foundation for supervised experience and helps you become a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts.

Supervised Experience Requirements

Getting supervised clinical experience is a vital part of Massachusetts psychology license requirements. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists requires aspiring psychologists to complete 3,200 supervised clock hours within 60 consecutive calendar months (5 years). You need proper documentation of these hours that meet specific criteria to qualify for licensure.

You must complete two years of supervised health service experience in qualifying settings to get Health Service Provider (HSP) certification. This certification lets you provide direct client services. Massachusetts law describes ‘health service’ as “the delivery of direct, preventive, assessment and therapeutic intervention services to individuals whose growth, adjustment, or functioning is actually impaired or may be at risk of impairment”.

Your supervised experience must meet these key requirements:

• Each training period should last at least four months with 16 hours minimum per week
• You need one hour of supervision for every 16 hours of work
• Licensed psychologists must provide at least 50% of supervision
• Direct client contact should take up at least 25% of your time
• You must receive supervision in a defined health service setting with programmatic coherence

The 3,200 required hours usually come from different experiences. Your predoctoral internship should include at least 1,600 clock hours over no less than 10 calendar months. You can complete the remaining 1,600 hours through post-internship experiences or advanced practicum placements.

Massachusetts now lets doctoral students count certain advanced practicum hours toward licensure requirements. This applies when these experiences happen after completing two full years of graduate education. The practicum hours need a formal training plan between your doctoral program and the practicum site to qualify.

Health service settings must follow specific Board criteria. These settings should openly provide health services, keep confidential records, teach HIPAA regulations, offer on-site supervision, and have protocols for emergencies and referrals.

During your supervised experience, you must work as a “psychologist in training” (intern, resident, fellow, etc.). The Board looks at training settings based on how well they teach core skills. These include assessment, intervention techniques, consultation, evidence-based practices, and interpersonal skills.

You’ll need to document your supervised experience using specific forms. These include the Internship Program Director Form, Post-Internship Supervisor Form, and possibly the Advanced Practicum Supervised Experience Form. Keeping detailed records of all supervisory relationships throughout your training helps with the licensure application process.

Licensing Examinations

Your Massachusetts psychology license journey continues after completing your education and supervised experience. Two exams stand between you and your license. The Massachusetts Board of Registration for Psychologists requires candidates to prove their expertise through a national standardized test and a state-specific jurisprudence examination.

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is the national assessment standard. This complete test includes 250 multiple-choice questions that review your psychology knowledge in disciplines of all types. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) administers the EPPP daily, which gives you scheduling flexibility. Massachusetts requires you to score 500 or higher on the scaled score to pass.

The Massachusetts Board must review and approve your application before you can schedule any exams. You’ll get registration instructions for both assessments once approved. The Massachusetts Jurisprudence Examination serves as your final step before licensure.

The Massachusetts Jurisprudence Examination tests your knowledge of state-specific regulations and legal statutes that govern psychological practice. You’ll have one hour to answer 20 multiple-choice questions. The exam might seem simple, but good preparation is a vital part since failing either test means waiting 90 days to retake it. You can attempt the exams up to four times per year.

The Board gives approved candidates the Psychology Jurisprudence Book to study for the jurisprudence exam. This book covers Massachusetts regulations and statutes that apply to psychological practice. Many candidates also use Quizlet flashcards as additional study aids.

Massachusetts doesn’t offer licensure reciprocity with other states. In spite of that, you might qualify for a modified application if you’ve held a license in another state for at least five years and appear in the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Your previous EPPP score of 500 or higher exempts you from retaking that exam. Whatever your situation, the Massachusetts Jurisprudence Examination remains mandatory.

The Board processes your license after receiving your passing scores from both exams. Keep in mind that you must pass these exams within three years of your original application approval. This timeframe ensures your knowledge stays current as you begin your professional practice.

Application & Licensure Process

Your path to getting a Massachusetts psychology license reaches its peak with the formal application process. You must submit your application through the Massachusetts Health Professions Licensing Portal (ePlace). Paper applications are no longer accepted. The online submission comes with a non-refundable application fee of $150.00.

The basic documentation you need has:

• Academic Program Director Form completed by your doctoral program chair or training director
• Notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Acknowledgement Form
• Official doctoral program transcript sent directly to the Board
• Three Professional and Ethical Reference Forms from qualified professionals

Your references need specific qualifications. At least two references should have deep knowledge of your professional and ethical behavior. One reference can have “moderate” knowledge. A licensed psychologist must provide at least one reference, and someone who directly supervised you must provide another.

You need to complete two key steps before applying. Complete a board-approved training in domestic and sexual violence. You must also apply to become either a fully participating or non-billing provider with MassHealth. This applies whatever your planned practice setting.

Some applicants need extra documentation. EPPP score reports should come directly from ASPPB if you’ve already passed the test. The same goes for license verification – if you hold or held a professional license elsewhere, the issuing authority must send it directly.

The Board will let you know if anything’s missing from your application. You’ll have six months to send any requested information, or your application will face denial. Applications stay active for one year after submission.

Once your application gets approved, you’ll learn how to take required examinations. The licensing fee must reach the board within 90 days after you pass both exams and receive eligibility notification. Missing the six-month payment window means starting over with a new application fee.

Psychologists with five years of good standing and current listing in the National Register of Health Service Psychologists can use a modified process. They still need to verify their National Register status but don’t need to submit certain supervised experience documents.

Foreign graduates need special attention. Getting your doctorate from a non-U.S. institution means contacting the Board first. They’ll guide you to authorized foreign credentials evaluation agencies.

The Massachusetts Psychology Board upholds strict standards throughout this process. This ensures every licensed psychologist meets the state’s professional practice criteria.

Continuing Education

Massachusetts psychologists must complete continuing education to maintain their license. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists requires 20 hours of continuing education every two years. License renewals happen on June 30th of even-numbered years.

The board accepts continuing education programs only from American Psychological Association (APA) approved sponsors. They don’t review or approve CE programs independently. Licensed psychologists can complete all 20 required hours through online courses or distance learning from APA-approved providers.

Massachusetts offers several ways to meet these requirements. To cite an instance, psychologists can get up to 10 CE credits by publishing as first or second author in a peer-reviewed journal during their licensing cycle. This option recognizes their research contributions to psychology.

Psychologists must submit a signed, notarized statement that confirms completion of all CE requirements during renewal. The board might ask to verify CE activities from the past two renewal periods. It’s essential to keep detailed records of completed coursework.

Documentation needed for formal learning programs includes:

• Program title
• Number of hours completed
• Name of the sponsoring organization
• Date the program was conducted

For publication credits, keep records of publication titles, dates, and co-author information. Your license won’t be renewed if you don’t meet the CE requirements.

New licensees have prorated CE requirements based on their original licensing date. To cite an instance, see psychologists licensed for one year within the two-year renewal cycle – they need only 10 CE credits instead of 20. Note that credits from EPPP exam preparation don’t count toward these requirements.

Starting 2025, Massachusetts psychology license requirements include mandatory training in domestic and sexual violence. Psychologists can complete this training free through the state’s official online platform.

The board requires licensees who supervise clinical work of students, interns, or others to complete three contact hours of supervision training. These standards ensure practicing psychologists stay current with their knowledge and skills.

Special State Variations

Massachusetts stands out from other states with its unique psychology licensure requirements. The state’s dual credentialing system makes it different – a license alone won’t let psychologists provide health services independently. They must get a separate Health Service Provider (HSP) certification to offer direct therapeutic services or psychological testing.

The state has strict rules about professional titles. Only licensed practitioners can use the title “Psychologist” in Massachusetts. State law prohibits terms like “unlicensed psychologist”. The term “license eligible” has a specific meaning – it applies to people who have met all requirements and passed both exams but haven’t received their license number yet.

The state’s educational requirements demand doctoral degrees from programs with American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accreditation. People with foreign education need to prove their credentials are equivalent through formal evaluation.

The state doesn’t allow standard license reciprocity with other states. In spite of that, you might qualify for a modified application if you’ve held a license elsewhere for at least five years and appear in the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. The state jurisprudence test remains mandatory, but those with EPPP scores of 500 or higher don’t need to retake that exam.