APA publishes a book titled Graduate Study in Psychology, which can usually be found in university libraries and ordered from APA (www.apa.org/books). Graduate programs are listed by states and include detailed descriptions about programs including application information, financial aid, tuition, and housing. The APA Education Directorate (www.apa.org/ed) and APAGS -- the American Psychological Association Graduate (www.apa.org/apags) also provide information for students.

• What  is an accredited school or institution? 
  In the United States, there are regional associations that accredit universities – universities become accredited by meeting a standard of quality defined by a set of specific criteria. It is typically easier to obtain a license to practice psychology in the US if your doctoral program is from a regionally accredited school.

• What is an accredited program in psychology? Does APA accredit any programs outside of the United States and Canada? 
  Within the graduate departments of regionally accredited schools, the doctoral programs in professional psychology (clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology) requiring licensure for independent practice must be accredited by the APA Committee on Accreditation (CoA). Predoctoral internship, postdoctoral internship (residency), and specialty postdoctoral internship programs in professional psychology also are accredited.

The list of currently accredited programs can be found on the APA website at www.apa.org/ed/accreditation. The CoA accredits programs in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

There are many issues related to academic equivalency of different degree programs across nations, even English-speaking countries such as the US and UK. Although these issues are being addressed by educators, including psychologists, in a number of international forums, they remain unresolved. A university registrar may be able to offer you guidance on how equivalence of international academic credentials is verified.

Should you plan to pursue a career in psychology that includes practicing in the US, you must be aware that there are statutory and regulatory requirements for licensure in the different state and (Canadian) provincial jurisdictions, and you should try to determine in advance how your education and training outside the US will meet those requirements.

In the United States, regulations about the practice of psychology are determined by each state. There is no federal regulation. 
You must be licensed to practice psychology according to the laws and regulations in effect in each state where you provide services. These laws are regulated by state boards of psychology. Requirements for licensure are not standardized across states, but generally, candidates are assessed on their education, supervised training, and examination performance.

The doctoral degree is generally considered the entry-level degree for the independent, licensed practice of psychology as a profession. In addition to the doctoral degree, licensure for professional practice usually requires two years of supervised training: one year during the doctoral program (an internship in most cases) and an additional year after receipt of the doctoral degree (post-doctoral residency).

You can find out information about US state and Canadian province requirements by contacting the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards at http://www.asppb.org/

In the United States, the legal basis for licensure lies in the right of the state, province, or territory to enact legislation to protect its citizens – in other words, to identify qualified practitioners. The education and training of psychologists around the world varies greatly both in terms of the nomenclature of the university qualification (e.g. Diplom, License, Masters, Candidate, and so on), and also in terms of length and content of university curricula contributing to professional qualification. At present, there is no international recognition of equivalence of degrees or in professional psychology qualifications.

It is important to research and contact the Board of Psychology in the state you are interested in practicing for information on education, supervised experience, and examinations. In some states, attendance at an APA-accredited program is required. Most states in the U.S. have a section of the law that applies to individuals who receive their education and training outside the U.S. State boards can also provide advice on transcript and credential evaluation.

The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), is an alliance of state, provincial, and territorial agencies responsible for licensure and certification of psychologists in the United States and Canada. Their website at www.asppb.org includes contact information for state boards, information for students and licensure candidates, and a Handbook on Licensing and Credentialing. The ASPPB works actively to facilitate professional mobility for psychologists in the United States and abroad.

Unfortunately, no. APA cannot intervene in decisions made by licensing boards.

This site is still under construction.  Are there questions you would like to see answered? Please send a note to international@apa.org with FAQ un the subject line.