Psychologist Licensure Procedures in Minnesota

How to become a Psychologist in Minnesota...

Click on the link that best describes your current situation.

Explore the information below and begin your journey toward becoming a licensed psychologist in Minnesota. The following procedures have been the same for many years; however, they are subject to change and it would be wise to contact the Minnesota Board of Psychology at (612)-617-2230 if you have any concerns or questions regarding requirements for earning your Minnesota psychologist license.

I'm a High School Graduate...

Right now, you are ahead of the curve. Researching Minnesota psychologist licensure as a high school graduate shows great motivation. However, you need to keep your momentum and take the first couple steps toward qualifying for licensure as soon as possible.

The great thing about the first couple steps is that there is very little committment with regard to career choice. The first couple steps toward psychologist licensure are the same as for most all professions. So go ahead and learn what these steps are below.

Step One:

Education. Absolutely the most important step you should be concentrating on right now is continuing your education. In order to qualify for a psychologist license in Minnesota, you will eventually need to hold a doctoral degree in psychology. However, to qualify for a doctoral program, you will need to complete an undergraduate degree program.

In addition, if you happen to decide a career in psychology is not for you, a college degree is still your ticket to being considered for a professional position in most any other industry.

Your next step... learn how you can enroll in an associate or bachelor degree program in Minnesota.

Click on the links below to browse schools offering psychology programs!

Step Two:

Secondly, once you have the ball rolling with continuing your education, you will find it helpful to learn more about psychology career environments and whether such environments appeal to you.

One way to do this is by gaining experience in a similar environment through volunteering avenues. Both psychology careers and volunteering environments have the common bond of helping others. If you enjoy helping others through difficult issues as a volunteer, it is likely that you will also enjoy a career in psychology.

Below are a few links to volunteering organizations in Minnesota:

If volunteering is out of the question, look to find paid work or speak with professors about career options as soon as possible in your academic career.

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I've already received my Bachelor's or Master's degree...

Once you have your undergraduate or Master's degree you will need to continue on and earn your doctorate degree in psychology, educational psychology or an education degree that specializes in counseling psychology or educational psychology from an accredited college or university.

Step One:

Contact schools offering Master's, PhD or PsyD programs you are interested in.

Step Two:

When choosing a Master's or Doctoral program, you will be narrowing your career focus. Since there are a large variety of areas where you can go within the field of psychology, it would be wise to speak with the career services personnel at your school to learn more about various opportunities you may participate in to boost yourself higher on the list of possible applicants for school and/or for a professional position once you have completed your schooling.

Step Three:

Once you have completed your PhD or PsyD program, you may continue down to:

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I have finished my PhD or PsyD...

Follow the steps to learn how to acquire your Psychologist license in Minnesota.

Step One:

Before completing your doctorate program, you will need to participate in a 2000 hour internship related to the degree you are earning under a qualified supervisor.

You will find more information about supervised experience requirements and necessary qualifications for supervisors on the following Minnesota Board of Psychology webpage.

Step Two:

When your degree and internship have been completed, you can submit an application for the Examination of Professional Practice in Psychology to the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

You can download the application on the following Minnesota Psychology Board webpage. In addition, information about the exam can be found on the ASPPB website.

Step Three:

The next step is to earn one year of post-graduate work experience under a qualified supervisor. More information about the experience needed after your degree has been earned can be found here.

Step Four:

Now you can submit a Minnesota psychologist licensure application to the Minnesota Board of Psychology for full licensure. Include all supporting forms and fees with the application.

You may download the application off the following Minnesota Board of Psychology webpage.

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