Psychologist Licensure Procedures in Missouri

Follow the steps to earn your psychologist license in MO

How to become a Psychologist in Missouri:

Click on the link that best describes your current situation...

Explore the information below and begin your journey toward becoming a licensed psychologist in Missouri. The following procedures have been the same for many years; however, they are subject to change and it would be wise to contact the Missouri Committee of Psychologists at (573)-751-0099 if you have any concerns or questions regarding requirements for earning your Missouri psychologist license.

I'm a High School Graduate...

As a high school student in Missouri, you are way ahead of the curve doing your career research at this point. However, there really isn't a time that is too early to start learning what your options are and how to get there.

Below are a couple steps that will help you begin your journey toward a professional career in psychology.

Step One:

Education. Regardless of whether or not you earn your Missouri psychologist license, you will find a college degree to be a necessity. Missouri psychologist licensure requires you to have acquired a doctoral degree. Completion of a bachelor's degree is mandatory for being accepted into a doctoral program.

In addition, for essentially any professional career, a college degree is your ticket to being considered for a position.

You next step... Learn how you can enroll in an associate or bachelor degree program either online or at a campus in Missouri.

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

Step Two:

Secondly, you will want to learn more about what a psychology career environment might be like. This step is highly important once you have already completed your college degree and you are making serious decisions with regard to graduate degree programs.

However, now is a great time to learn whether or not you enjoy a career environment that revolves around helping others. A great way to gain this kind of experience is to volunteer.

Below are a few links to volunteering organizations in Missouri:

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.

Back to the top

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:

Back to the top

I have finished my PhD or PsyD...

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

Step One:

A Missouri licensed psychologist is required to have 2 years of professional supervised work experience before being licensed. One year of this should be done while earning your doctoral degree and the second year needs to be completed after your degree has been received. A supervision plan should be submitted to the Committee prior to gaining post-graduate experience.

More details about the supervision requirements for Missouri psychologist licensure and the qualifications of supervisors can be found on the following Missouri State Government webpage. You may download the supervision plan form from the following Missouri Committee of Psychologists webpage.

Step Two:

Once your required work experience has been finished, you can download the Missouri psychologist license application and submit it to the Missouri Committee of Psychologists along with all other supporting documents and necessary fees.

You can download the Missouri psychologist licensure application here.

Step Three:

The committee will review your application and notify you when you are eligible to take the 3 required exams for licensure. Missouri requires an applicant to pass the Examination for Professional Practice (EPPP) in Psychology through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. The state of Missouri also administers a jurisprudence examination and an oral examination.

Information about the EPPP can be found on the ASPPB website. You may contact the Missouri Committee for more information about the state exams, contact information for the Missouri Committee of Psychologists.

Back to the top