How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in Nevada: 2026 Requirements Guide
Nevada sits at the bottom of national rankings for mental health care access despite its high number of mental disorders. A career as a psychologist in Nevada offers both meaningful work and excellent pay. More than 2.4 million Nevadans live in areas that don’t have enough mental health professionals. Your expertise will be needed across the state’s 19+ school districts and 65+ major hospitals.
The path to becoming a licensed psychologist in Nevada takes real commitment. You’ll spend at least 10 years completing specific education requirements, supervised practice hours, and licensing exams. The payoff makes it worth the effort – clinical and counseling psychologists in Nevada earn $110,520 on average each year. This makes Nevada the fourth best-paying state for psychologists nationwide. The job market looks promising too, with clinical, counseling, and school psychology positions set to grow 6% between 2024 and 2034.
This guide covers everything the Nevada Board of Psychology requires to get licensed. You’ll find details about education paths and ongoing training requirements. The guide helps both new students and those who already have their doctorate. We’ll show you exactly what steps to take to become a licensed psychologist in Nevada and help tackle the state’s pressing mental health challenges.
Educational Pathways
Starting your path to become a psychologist in Nevada requires the right education. You’ll need to complete several academic steps, each one building on what you learned before.
Bachelor’s Degree: Your First Step
A bachelor’s degree is where it all begins, and it usually takes four years. You don’t have to major in psychology, but it helps build a strong foundation. Students with degrees in other fields might need extra psychology courses before they can move on to graduate programs.
Master’s Degree: Optional But Beneficial
You don’t need a master’s degree to get licensed, but it has clear benefits. This two-to-three-year program helps you find your specialty. It also makes your doctoral application stronger, especially if your bachelor’s was in something else. Many students get their online master’s degree (about 48 credits) during their first two years of doctoral studies.
Doctoral Degree: The Essential Credential
Nevada requires you to complete a doctoral program that is either:
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), or
- Matches the quality of an APA-accredited program
Doctoral programs need:
- Minimum of 93 credit hours
- Five to seven years to complete
- Either a Ph.D. in Psychology, Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology), or Ed.D. in Psychology
The Nevada Board of Psychology accepts doctoral programs from schools with regional accreditation from bodies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Equivalency Pathways for Non-APA Accredited Programs
Students from non-APA-accredited programs must prove their program’s quality based on when they finished:
- Programs completed before January 1, 2018: You need transcripts, program descriptions, and papers that show your program matches APA standards.
- Programs completed on or after January 1, 2018: You must provide transcripts, syllabi, university catalog descriptions, professional competency evaluations, and other documents that meet the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology.
Psychology Programs in Nevada
Nevada schools offer several psychology programs:
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV): Has APA-accredited Ph.D. programs including Clinical Psychology
- University of Nevada, Reno: Offers APA-accredited doctoral specializations in Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, and Behavior Analysis with a 93% graduate licensure rate from 2012 to 2022
- College of Southern Nevada: Provides an AAS in Applied Psychology focused on Mental Health Services
- Nevada State University: Offers undergraduate degrees with various psychology concentrations
Internship Requirements
Your doctoral program must include a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship. This can count toward your supervised experience needed for licensure.
The path from bachelor’s degree to finishing postdoctoral experience takes about 10 years. This detailed preparation will give you everything you need to help Nevada residents once you’re licensed.
Supervised Experience Requirements
Getting your supervised experience is a crucial step toward becoming a licensed psychologist in Nevada. State regulations require 3,750 hours of supervised experience, which splits between predoctoral and postdoctoral training.
Your first requirement involves completing 2,000 hours through a predoctoral internship during your doctoral program. A licensed doctoral-level psychologist must provide at least four hours of weekly supervision. Two of these hours should be individual supervision. This internship helps you build skills in clinical practice, assessment, professional identity, and cultural competence.
The next phase requires 1,750 hours of postdoctoral experience as a Psychological Assistant. Half your time should focus on direct client services. You’ll need 40 hours of training in ethnic and cultural diversity, including three hours of individual supervision. Weekly supervision meetings are mandatory, with a minimum of four supervision hours each month.
The Nevada Board of Psychology offers these registration options for supervised experience:
Psychological Assistant (postdoctoral experience) – You’ll need to complete the PLUS application, submit a Supervised Practice Plan, and pay a $150 application fee plus $150 registration fee. Registration lasts one year but can extend another year with a written request and $150 extension fee. Board approval becomes necessary for registrations beyond three years.
Psychological Intern (predoctoral experience) – You must provide verification from your program’s Director of Clinical Training, complete the PLUS application, and pay a $75 registration fee (plus $150 application fee). This registration stays valid for two years with a possible one-year extension.
Your supervising psychologist must maintain proper oversight and hold primary responsibility for all treatment plans in both positions. They must review and sign all clinical documentation.
You and your supervisor should track clinical activities using the Board’s Supervised Experience Monthly Log form quarterly. After completing 1,400 of the required 1,750 postdoctoral hours, registered psychological assistants can apply for the State Exam.
The financial arrangements follow specific guidelines. Psychological assistants and interns receive salaries/stipends in equal amounts on a fixed schedule. Payment cannot depend on client numbers or insurance reimbursements. Working as an independent contractor during supervised experience isn’t allowed.
Meeting these supervision requirements helps you develop professional competencies needed for independent practice as a licensed psychologist in Nevada.
Licensing Examinations
Getting licensed as a psychologist in Nevada requires passing standardized examinations. These tests are vital steps to verify your professional competence and ethical understanding.
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Part 1 is the first test you need to pass. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) developed this 225-item multiple-choice test to review your broad knowledge of psychology. You need a minimum passing score of 500. The test costs about $600, plus an extra $80 to Prometric for the testing site.
Nevada is among the first states to adopt the EPPP Part 2-Skills test. You must take this second part if you:
- Did not attend an APA-accredited doctoral program
- Are not currently licensed in another jurisdiction
- Got licensed in another jurisdiction after November 1, 2020
The EPPP Part 2’s passing score is also 500.
After the national examination, you’ll take the Nevada Psychological State Exam. This test focuses on the state’s jurisprudence and ethics. It’s an open-book, web-based test that covers state laws, regulations, and professional conduct standards. You can register for this test after completing 1,400 hours of your 1,750 required postdoctoral training.
The state exam costs $200 per attempt and includes online proctoring. You need to score at least 75% to pass. If you fail, you can take the test three more times. The Board must approve your fourth attempt. Your application will be denied after four failures, and you’ll need to wait 18 months before applying again.
The PLUS Portal Application through ASPPB plays a vital role in the examination process. ASPPB will send you an email invitation to complete this application and submit all required documents.
Passing both the EPPP (Part 1 and Part 2, if applicable) and the Nevada State Exam is a major step to become a licensed psychologist in Nevada. Good preparation is significant because these tests check your general psychological knowledge and your understanding of state-specific legal and ethical requirements.
Application & Licensure Process
Getting your psychology license in Nevada requires following a structured process that the State Board of Psychological Examiners oversees. You must complete several steps in sequence.
Your first step is submitting an Applicant Screening form with a non-refundable $150 application fee. The Board will assess your eligibility after receiving your screening form. You’ll receive an email invitation from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to join the Psychology Licensure Universal System (PLUS) unless you qualify for accelerated processing.
The PLUS system is comprehensive and provides most important benefits. This online platform works as a credentials bank that can help you simplify future applications across the United States and Canada.
Some candidates qualify for an accelerated application process. These include:
- Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ) holders
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) certified professionals
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSPP) certified individuals
- Professionals who managed to keep licensure in good standing for 20+ years
The typical application timeline includes these key phases:
- Original submission of the screening form (1-2 business days to process)
- Board approval at the next scheduled meeting (1-30 days)
- PLUS application completion and verification (1-6+ months)
- Final verification of requirements by the Board office (within 7 days)
- State examination scheduling and preparation
- Examination and license issuance (results within 7 days)
The Board will issue your license number after you pass the state examination and pay a prorated biennial license fee. Psychologists pay a standard renewal fee of $650, with renewals due at the end of each even-numbered year.
Psychological Assistant or Intern positions need a separate application form with the same $150 application fee. The Board will send PLUS system instructions after receiving your application.
Nevada doesn’t have reciprocity agreements with other states but accepts mobility credentials through its accelerated process. This helps experienced practitioners who want to move to Nevada.
Note that you can pay all fees by check/money order at the Board office or online through PayPal with a credit card. Online payments include additional service fees.
Continuing Education
Nevada psychologists must complete ongoing professional education to keep their licenses active. The Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners requires 30 hours of continuing education (CE) credits every two years.
Here’s what you’ll need for your CE hours:
- 6 hours in scientific and professional ethics, standards, and common areas of professional misconduct
- 2 hours in evidence-based suicide prevention and awareness
- 6 hours relating to cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion
The Board lets you complete up to 15 hours through approved distance learning courses. These “home study” options let you take on-demand instruction without the instructor’s physical presence or immediate interaction. Any ethics courses must be APA-approved or Board-approved, even through home study.
The cultural competency requirement started January 1, 2024. These courses should cover working with people from different backgrounds. This includes various genders, races, ethnicities, religions, LGBTQ+ individuals, children, seniors, veterans, and people with mental illness or disabilities.
The Nevada Board approves CE credits from these main sources:
- Workshops, seminars, or classes from accredited higher education institutions
- Programs with certification from recognized bodies like the American Psychological Association (APA)
- Other Board-approved formal training sessions
You can get your CE credits from approved providers like NetCE in Nevada. The deadline to complete these requirements falls on December 31st of each even-numbered year.
Your current CE period runs from January 1 to December 31. All but one of these requirements apply to everyone – new licensees don’t need CEUs for their first renewal.
Note that you can’t get CE credits for courses you teach. Make sure to keep proper documentation of all your CE activities to maintain your psychology license in good standing.
Special State Variations
Nevada stands out from other states with its unique licensure policies that distinguish it from national trends. The Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners does not currently have reciprocity agreements with any state or province. Psychologists licensed elsewhere must go through the complete Nevada licensure process.
The state provides expedited licensure options for qualified professionals. These accelerated pathways are available to:
- Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ) holders
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) certified psychologists
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSPP) certified practitioners
- Psychologists licensed for 20 or more years in good standing
Nevada takes a firm stance on “grandfather clauses” – the Board explicitly rejects licensure or certification obtained through such provisions in other jurisdictions. This policy demonstrates Nevada’s steadfast dedication to consistent professional standards.
Specific restrictions apply to non-resident psychologists practicing in Nevada. Out-of-state practitioners can work as consultants without Nevada licensure under two conditions: they must practice fewer than 30 days per calendar year and receive invitations from Nevada-licensed psychologists. This rule allows specialized expertise while you retain control.
Nevada provides a path to licensure for internationally trained psychologists who complete unaccredited programs outside the United States. These applicants must prove program equivalency, achieve at least 80 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (if applicable), pass required examinations, and meet other requirements.
Psychologists can provide telehealth services to Nevada residents only with a valid Nevada psychology license or PSYPACT authorization. Yes, it is worth noting that Nevada enacted PSYPACT legislation on May 26, 2017, which makes interstate practice easier.
Nevada exempts several professionals from psychology licensing requirements. These include physicians, dentists, marriage and family therapists, clinical professional counselors, social workers, occupational therapists, alcohol/drug counselors, behavior analysts, and clergy.