Shoshana D. Kerewsky, Psy.D.
When students contemplate becoming psychologists, they tend to focus on
the front end of the process (i.e., finishing coursework, passing
comprehensive exams, writing a dissertation, and completing a predoctoral
internship). However, many students are unaware of all the tasks and
requirements that follow graduate training.
Many programs do not prepare students for the psychologist licensing
process that follows internship and graduation. Even after finishing
internship, many students are still unsure what licensure entails or how
to learn more about it. Yet what you do (or do not do) near the end of
your program can have profound consequences for your post-graduate
opportunities.
Typically, if you wish to practice as a licensed psychologist, you will
need to complete an internship (generally APA-approved), finish a
dissertation, graduate, complete state or provincial board-approved
postdoctoral hours, pass the Examination for Professional Practice in
Psychology (EPPP), and meet other state licensing requirements. Some
states require an additional written or oral competency and jurisprudence
exam. Depending on your work habits, doctoral program, and state board
requirements, this post-coursework period may take as much time as
completing your classes did!
It is important to understand both the general requirements for
licensure and the specific requirements of the state in which you would
like to practice. The burden of gathering this knowledge falls largely on
you. Even if your program has a strong advising and mentoring component,
you may find that your program's information is out of date, incomplete,
or does not pertain to your circumstances. For example, your program may
be in a state that allows you to apply for and begin accruing postdoctoral
hours as soon as
you have met all your requirements. Yet you may be seeking licensure in
a state that does not permit the postdoc clock to begin until you have
graduated. A delay of a few days in your dissertation defense or in
returning your revisions may mean that you miss the deadline to graduate
that term and need to wait half a year to begin your postdoctoral hours.
Just as it is important to think about internships and dissertation
topics during your initial years of coursework, it is essential to look
ahead to licensure so that you can be adequately prepared. Unfortunately,
it can be difficult to find the information you need. To address this
deficit, I have attempted to create an entry point for licensure
resources. "Psychology from ABD to Licensure" (http://ourworld.cs.com/sdkerewsky/)
provides descriptions of general licensing requirements, links to
information and resources, and related information. I am currently writing
FAQs, and welcome your questions and suggestions. Contact me, Shoshana D. Kerewsky, Psy.D..
This article first appeared in the Winter 2000 Edition of the APAGS
Newsletter, Vol. 12(1)
