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Pennsylvania Psychologist — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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Psychologist

License to practice psychology in Pennsylvania, subject to the Professional Psychologists Practice Act and Board regulations.

Licensing authority: state board of psychology · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 30 contact hours, including three in ethics, two in child abuse recognition/reporting, and one in suicide prevention. Observe approved-provider, reporting, retention, carryover, initial-renewal exemption, endorsement proration, and Board waiver/cure provisions in 49 Pa. Code §§ 41.59 and 41.77.
Disclosures
Report multiple licensure and discipline under Act 52 § 8.1 and applicable Board notification requirements.
Renewal cycle
Renew biennially for the two-year period beginning December 1 of odd-numbered years; expiration is November 30 of odd-numbered years. Pay the renewal fee and applicable late fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 — continuing education
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay the initial fee, satisfy application requirements including recent criminal-history and child-abuse-history reports, and complete three hours of approved child-abuse training.
Board general summary
The Board snapshot states generally: “Applicants shall obtain a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice In Psychology (EPPP) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) to qualify for licensure.” This general implementing summary is retained as a condition rather than overriding the distinct statutory endorsement criteria.
Board review
The Board may require a personal interview and additional competence or experience documentation; a video interview may be requested for good cause.
Competence
Complete 30 hours of continuing education meeting 49 Pa. Code § 41.59 in the 24 months immediately preceding application (49 Pa. Code § 41.52a(a)(2)(ii)).
Conduct
No disqualifying act or discipline, unless the Board exercises the exceptions in 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 and 49 Pa. Code § 41.52a(c).
Examination boundary
The exhaustive endorsement criteria in 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111(a), implemented by 49 Pa. Code § 41.52a(a), impose no examination for this route. The older Act 52 § 12 route is separately retained.
Existing license
Hold a current psychology license, certification, registration or permit in good standing from another jurisdiction whose requirements the Board determines substantially equivalent to or exceeding Pennsylvania standards; submit the governing law, enactment date, and verified English translation if needed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 — experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay the initial fee, satisfy application requirements including recent criminal-history and child-abuse-history reports, and complete three hours of approved child-abuse training.
Board general summary
The Board snapshot states generally: “Applicants shall obtain a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice In Psychology (EPPP) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) to qualify for licensure.” This general implementing summary is retained as a condition rather than overriding the distinct statutory endorsement criteria.
Board review
The Board may require a personal interview and additional competence or experience documentation; a video interview may be requested for good cause.
Competence
Actively practice psychology in the issuing jurisdiction for at least two of the five years immediately preceding application (49 Pa. Code § 41.52a(a)(2)(i)).
Conduct
No disqualifying act or discipline, unless the Board exercises the exceptions in 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 and 49 Pa. Code § 41.52a(c).
Examination boundary
The exhaustive endorsement criteria in 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111(a), implemented by 49 Pa. Code § 41.52a(a), impose no examination for this route. The older Act 52 § 12 route is separately retained.
Existing license
Hold a current psychology license, certification, registration or permit in good standing from another jurisdiction whose requirements the Board determines substantially equivalent to or exceeding Pennsylvania standards; submit the governing law, enactment date, and verified English translation if needed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Exceptional licensure with discretionary examination waiver
Current competence
The Board must determine that the applicant possesses current competence to practice.
Extraordinary contribution
Petition the Board in writing with documentation of an international or national reputation for an extraordinary contribution to the science or practice of psychology.
Waiver discretion
Under Act 52 § 3.2(6) and 49 Pa. Code § 41.43 the Board may waive examinations and grant the license; decisions and reasons are provided in writing. The EPPP and PPLE remain route leaves with this waiver condition; an approved waiver excuses the applicant.
Initial licensure by examination
Application documents
Submit Board application, official graduate transcripts, internship verification and job description, supervisory verification/evaluations, criminal history report and child-abuse history clearance dated within 90 days, and other Board-requested materials (49 Pa. Code §§ 41.11 and 41.30).
Character
Satisfy Act 52 § 6 moral-character and applicable controlled-substance conviction provisions; submit truthful sworn application and appropriate fees.
Child abuse training
Complete three hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training, with electronic provider reporting, unless the Board grants a documented exemption under 49 Pa. Code § 41.77(c).
Education
Complete a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field meeting 49 Pa. Code §§ 41.1 and 41.31. APA, CPA, PCSAS, or ASPPB/National Register designation within one year of degree award is recognized. Foreign degrees require a National Register equivalency evaluation and Board determination; deficiencies require certified supplemental education or training.
Exam timing
A qualifying doctoral degree is required before examination eligibility; examinations may be taken before supervised experience is completed. Passing scores, documentation, and the remaining licensing qualifications must be established before issuance.
Experience rules
49 Pa. Code §§ 41.32-41.33 govern hours, settings, ten-year completion period, supervisor qualifications, two hours of weekly individual supervision, evaluations, and discretionary hardship or exceptional-circumstances waivers. Experience commenced before December 6, 2010 is evaluated under the regulations then in effect.
Historical education
Applicants enrolled before July 1, 2008, including those enrolled before March 23, 1991, are evaluated under the regulations in effect at enrollment; subsequent reapplicants are evaluated under the regulations in effect at reapplication (49 Pa. Code § 41.31(4)-(5)).
Supervised experience
Act 52 § 6(a)(2) requires at least two years of Board-acceptable supervised experience. The Board accepts a predoctoral internship for the first year. Ordinarily the second year consists of at least 12 months and 1,750 hours after the internship; Board-approved experience before the internship may be accepted. Applicants who began an APA-accredited doctoral program in fall 2015 or later may use qualifying practicum experience documented directly by the Director of Clinical Training; insufficient months or hours require additional supervised experience.
Out of state licensure under Act 52 § 12 and 49 Pa. Code § 41.52
Application
Use the Board forms, pay the initial application fee, and complete three hours of approved child-abuse training or a granted exemption.
Board summary
The Board licensure snapshot specifically describes exemption from retaking the EPPP; this is applicant-specific and does not remove either examination from the route.
Examination waiver
Act 52 § 12 and 49 Pa. Code § 41.52(a) permit the Board to exempt an equivalent-license applicant from examination. Waiver is discretionary; the general EPPP and PPLE requirements apply unless excused.
Existing license
Hold a current psychology license or certificate issued by a statutory psychologist examining board with requirements the Pennsylvania Board finds equivalent.
National score
A national examination score at least equal to the Pennsylvania passing score prevailing when taken need not be repeated (49 Pa. Code § 41.52(b)). The currently offered EPPP remains a route leaf as a passing-score prerequisite.
Reactivation of inactive or lapsed license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affidavit
Provide a notarized affidavit of periods without Pennsylvania practice or practice in an exempt setting. Late fees do not apply to those periods.
Continuing education
Show compliance during the biennium immediately preceding the reinstatement request under 49 Pa. Code § 41.59(i)(1).
Inactive or lapsed
Apply on Board forms, pay the current biennial renewal fee, and show continuing-education compliance including child-abuse training.
Unauthorized practice
Unauthorized practice requires late and biennial fees under 49 Pa. Code § 41.13(b) and may lead to discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure after first examination failure
Other requirements
Complete all remaining initial licensure qualifications.
Previous failure
Applicant failed the EPPP or PPLE for the first time; update the application, pay the specified reapplication fee, and obtain Board approval to retake the failed examination. A portion already passed need not be retaken solely because the other failed.
Timing
49 Pa. Code § 41.42(a) states a six-month interval and a two-year period after first failure. The Board September 14, 2018 FAQ states: “The Professional Psychologists Practice Act was amended and the 6-month wait period between a first and second examination is no longer required.” Both statements are retained for the applicant; the conflict does not change the involved examinations.
Licensure after subsequent examination failures
Attempt limit
49 Pa. Code § 41.42(d) limits applicants to four examinations in one year; pass/fail standards are those prevailing at reexamination.
Other requirements
Complete all remaining initial licensure qualifications.
Previous failures
Reapply for the failed portion after 60 days; satisfy administrative, education, and experience requirements prevailing at reapplication, submit experience verification, and pay the applicable reapplication fee.
Reinstatement after revocation
Court exception
A Commonwealth Court order or an order on appeal may direct reinstatement; its terms govern the individual applicant.
Remaining qualifications
Establish all current educational, supervised-experience, character, application, fee, and child-abuse-training qualifications for the license.
Revocation wait
After at least five years from revocation, apply for reinstatement and meet all qualifications under Act 52 § 16, expressly including the examination requirement.
Restoration of a suspended or restricted license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board order
Act 52 § 8(b)(6) permits restoration of a suspended license with disciplinary or corrective measures the Board could originally impose. Comply with the individual order.
Continuing education
Under 49 Pa. Code § 41.59(i)(2), show continuing-education compliance for the suspension or restriction period.
Fitness
If suspension concerns impairment, the Board may require evidence of safe competence and a mental or physical evaluation under Act 52 § 8(a)(8). That evaluation is an applicant condition, not a currently offered profession examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional endorsement license

Discretionary provisional license while remaining endorsement requirements are satisfied.

Licensing authority: State Board of Psychology · Application information

Provisional licensure pending completion of endorsement requirements
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Pending endorsement
The Board may issue the provisional license at its discretion while remaining requirements under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111 and 49 Pa. Code § 41.52a are being satisfied.
Term
Practice for up to one year, or a shorter Board-set term; on written request and good cause the Board may extend for no more than one additional year.
Termination
Ends when the Board grants or denies the ordinary license, or when terms are violated. After expiration or termination the individual may reapply for ordinary endorsement but may not receive another provisional endorsement license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary license to practice psychology

Temporary license for a psychologist holding a similar or current license from another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards.

Licensing authority: State Board of Psychology · Application information

Temporary licensure for an applicant licensed elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
The Board may issue a temporary license and may refuse one for past or pending discipline elsewhere (Act 52 § 3(7.1)).
Existing license
An applicant for psychology licensure must hold a similar or current license from another state, province or territory whose standards the Board finds substantially equivalent to Act 52.
Temporary assignment distinction
49 Pa. Code § 41.52(c) separately permits qualifying independently licensed psychologists on temporary assignment to obtain written permission for up to six months, with one extension of up to six months; aggregate assignments of no more than 14 days are exempt from notification. This is an exemption/permission under Act 52 § 3(7), not an additional issued license type.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Volunteer license

Volunteer psychology practice without remuneration in approved clinics or upon referrals from approved organizations.

Licensing authority: state board of psychology · Application information

Volunteer licensure for a nonretired psychologist
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the volunteer application and a signed letter from the approved clinic or organization confirming authorization to provide volunteer services; update the letter when the practice location changes. The application requires no fee.
Existing license
The route requires existing licensee status in good standing; the prior license is an applicant condition and is not itself an examination leaf.
Practice limit
Document to the Board that practice will be only in approved clinics or upon referrals from approved organizations, without remuneration.
Qualification
A licensee who does not otherwise currently practice or provide health care services in Pennsylvania and is not required to maintain professional liability insurance under MCARE.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal of volunteer licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continued scope
Continue to satisfy volunteer practice restrictions and remain subject to the standards of conduct applicable to psychologists.
Continuing education
Psychologist volunteer license holders comply with continuing education imposed by Board rulemaking as a general renewal condition, including the psychology ethics, child-abuse-reporting, and suicide-prevention requirements.
Renewal
Volunteer licenses renew biennially without renewal fees under Act 141 § 6(a)-(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Volunteer licensure for a retired psychologist
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the volunteer application and a signed letter from the approved clinic or organization confirming authorization to provide volunteer services; update the letter when the practice location changes. The application requires no fee.
Existing license
The route requires existing licensee status in good standing; the prior license is an applicant condition and is not itself an examination leaf.
Practice limit
Document to the Board that practice will be only in approved clinics or upon referrals from approved organizations, without remuneration.
Qualification
A licensee in good standing who has retired from active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE)

Examination outline
  • Law Act 52
  • Regulations Code Title 49 Chapter 41
Examination sources

EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)

Provider
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB); delivered by Pearson VUE at Pearson Professional Centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination; each item has three or four possible responses, only one of which is correct; the score is the number of correct responses. A French form (FEPPP) is available only to candidates whose licensing authorities legally require a French form.
Exam questions
225 items: 175 scored and 50 unscored pretest items
Time limit
4 hours and 15 minutes for completion of the exam items
Passing score
Scaled score (200-800 scale); ASPPB recommended passing scores of 500 for independent practice and 450 for supervised practice; each licensing authority sets its own passing standard
Exam fee
$600 USD exam fee per sitting plus $91.88 test sitting fee (English EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge))
Examination outline
  • Domain 1. Biological Bases of Behavior (10%)
    • KN1. Functional correlates and determinants of the neurobiological and genetic bases of behavior pertaining to perception, cognition, personality, and mood and affect in normal, acute and chronic neurobehavioral disease processes and disease comorbidities
    • KN2. Drug classification, mechanisms of action, and desired/adverse effects of therapeutic agents, drugs of abuse, and complementary or alternative agents
    • KN3. Results from major trials and general guidelines for pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and combined treatment of psychological disorders
    • KN4. Behavioral genetics, transmission and expression of genetic information and its modification, and the role and limitations of this information in understanding disorders
    • KN5. Applications of structural and functional brain imaging methods, electrophysiological methods, therapeutic drug monitoring methods, and genetic screening methodologies, and the evidence for their effectiveness
  • Domain 2. Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior (13%)
    • KN6. Major research‐based theories and models of intelligence and their application
    • KN7. Major research-based theories, models, and principles of learning and their application
    • KN8. Major research‐based theories and models of memory and their application
    • KN9. Major research‐based theories and models of motivation and their application
    • KN10. Major research-based theories and models of emotion and their application
    • KN11. Elements of cognition, including sensation and perception, attention, language, information processing, visual-spatial processing, executive functioning
    • KN12. Relations among cognitions/beliefs, behavior, affect, temperament, and mood
    • KN13. Influence of psychosocial factors on cognitions/beliefs and behaviors
  • Domain 3. Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior (11%)
    • KN14. Major research‐based theories and models of social cognition (e.g., person perception, development of stereotypes, prejudice)
    • KN15. Social interaction and relationships (e.g., attraction, aggression, altruism, organizational justice, verbal and non‐verbal communication, internet communication, mate selection, empathy)
    • KN16. Group and systems processes (e.g., school, work, and family systems, job satisfaction, team functioning, conformity, persuasion) and social influences on functioning
    • KN17. Major research‐based personality theories and models
    • KN18. Cultural and sociopolitical psychology (e.g., privilege, cross‐cultural comparisons, political differences, international and global awareness, religiosity and spirituality, acculturation)
    • KN19. Identity diversity and intersectionality (e.g., psychological impact of diversity on individuals, families, and systems)
    • KN20. Causes, manifestations, and effects of oppression
  • Domain 4. Growth and Lifespan Development (12%)
    • KN21. Normal growth and development across the lifespan
    • KN22. Influence of individual‐environment interaction on development over time (e.g., the relationship between the individual and the social, academic, work, community environment)
    • KN23. Major research‐based theories and models of development
    • KN24. Influence of diverse identities on development
    • KN25. Family development, configuration, and functioning and their impact on the individual across the lifespan
    • KN26. Life events that can influence the course of development across the lifespan
    • KN27. Risk and protective factors that may impact a developmental course (e.g., nutrition, prenatal care, health care, social support, socioeconomic status, abuse, victimization, and resiliency)
    • KN28. Disorders and diseases that impact the expected course of development over the lifespan
  • Domain 5. Assessment and Diagnosis (16%)
    • KN29. Psychometric theories, item and test characteristics, test construction and standardization procedures, reliability and validity, sensitivity and specificity, and test fairness and bias
    • KN30. Assessment theories and models (e.g., developmental, behavioral, ecological, neuropsychological)
    • KN31. Assessment methods and their strengths and limitations (e.g., self‐report, multi-informant reports, psychophysiological measures, work samples, assessment centers, direct observation, structured and semi‐structured interviews)
    • KN32. Commonly used instruments for the measurement of characteristics and behaviors of individuals and their appropriate use with various populations
    • KN33. Issues of differential diagnosis and integration of non‐psychological information into psychological assessment
    • KN34. Instruments and methods appropriate for the assessment of groups and organizations (e.g., program evaluation, needs assessment, organizational and personnel assessment)
    • KN35. Criteria for selection and adaptation of assessment methods (e.g., evidenced-based knowledge of assessment limitations, cultural appropriateness, trans‐cultural adaptation, and language accommodations)
    • KN36. Classification systems and their underlying rationales and limitations for evaluating client functioning; dimensional vs. categorical approaches to diagnosis
    • KN37. Factors influencing evidence-based interpretation of data and decision‐making (e.g., base rates, group differences, cultural biases and differences, heuristics)
    • KN38. Constructs of epidemiology and base rates of psychological and behavioral disorders
    • KN39. Major research-based theories and models of psychopathology
    • KN40. Measurement of outcomes and changes due to prevention or intervention efforts with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations
    • KN41. Use of technology in implementing tests, surveys, and other forms of assessment and diagnostic evaluation (e.g., validity, cost-effectiveness, consumer acceptability)
  • Domain 6. Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention and Supervision (15%)
    • KN42. Factors related to treatment or intervention decision-making (e.g., relevant research, matching treatment to assessment/diagnosis, matching client or patient with psychologist characteristics, knowledge and use of allied services, cost and benefit, readiness to change)
    • KN43. Contemporary research-based theories and models of treatment, intervention, and prevention
    • KN44. Treatment techniques and interventions and the evidence for their comparative efficacy and effectiveness
    • KN45. Methods and their evidence base for prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation with diverse and special populations
    • KN46. Interventions to enhance growth and performance of individuals, couples, families, groups, systems, and organizations
    • KN47. Research-based consultation models and processes
    • KN48. Research-based models of vocational and career development
    • KN49. Telepsychology and technology‐assisted psychological services
    • KN50. Healthcare systems, structures, and economics, and how these impact intervention choice
    • KN51. Approaches to health promotion, risk reduction, resilience, and wellness
    • KN52. Contemporary theories and models of supervision and their evidence base
  • Domain 7. Research Methods and Statistics (7%)
    • KN53. Sampling and data collection methods
    • KN54. Design of case, correlational, quasi‐experimental, and experimental studies
    • KN55. Analytic methods, including qualitative (e.g., thematic, phenomenological) and quantitative (e.g., probability theory; descriptive, inferential, and parametric statistics; meta-analysis; factor analysis; causal modeling)
    • KN56. Statistical interpretation (e.g., power, effect size, causation vs. association, clinical vs. statistical significance)
    • KN57. Critical appraisal and application of research findings (e.g., adequacy of design and statistics, limitations to generalizability, threats to internal and external validity, design flaws, level of evidence)
    • KN58. Evaluation strategies and techniques (e.g., needs assessment, process and implementation evaluation, formative and summative program evaluation, outcome evaluation, cost‐benefit analysis)
    • KN59. Considerations regarding community involvement and participation in research
    • KN60. Dissemination and presentation of research findings
  • Domain 8. Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues (16%)
    • KN61. Current ethical principles and codes for psychologists (APA, CPA)
    • KN62. Professional standards and relevant guidelines for the practice of psychology (e.g., standards for educational and psychological testing)
    • KN63. Laws, statutes, and judicial decisions that affect psychological practice
    • KN64. Identification and management of potential ethical issues
    • KN65. Models of ethical decision‐making
    • KN66. Approaches for continuing professional development
    • KN67. Emerging social, legal, ethical, and policy issues and their impact on psychological practice
    • KN68. Client and patient rights
    • KN69. Ethical issues in the conduct of research
    • KN70. Ethical issues in supervision
    • KN71. Ethical issues in technology-assisted psychological services
Examination sources