After getting degree how long to licensure?

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Trooper Soul

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Most states require an extra 1500 hours or so AFTER getting your degree. How long does this usually take? I know you could do it in less than a year if the hours fell right into your lap but I'm wondering ... how long, on average does it take to go from PsyD/PhD to licensed psychologist?

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varies. Usually at least one year. 1 and half to 2 is more common i belive. Depends on you position, if you have a job, if you have proper/appropriate supervision.
 
1500 hours is 9 months of full time work. If you are in a state where you can qualify to take the EPPP during post-doc hours accrual(many allow you to register for the exam as soon as the doctorate is granted) and you have passed the exam, you could be licensed as soon as 9 months out...but as others note, that is not very common.

Some states allow you to take the EPPP pre-degree so if you want to fast-track you would do that (might also require super-human powers), then could get hired into a position as "license eligible" and could finalize the licensure app (special course, state ethics/regs exam) as soon as required hours had accrued and be licensed within a year.

There is an argument for not going on internship until dissertation is complete and defended, then using the internship year to prepare for EPPP (and take if allowed), then graduating with everything done but the final hours. With this path, while you might be "in school" longer, you are licensed sooner.
 
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There is an argument for not going on internship until dissertation is complete and defended, then using the internship year to prepare for EPPP (and take if allowed), then graduating with everything done but the final hours. With this path, while you might be "in school" longer, you are licensed sooner.
This is what I did. I'm going to use the last 4 months of internship to study for the EPPP.
 
Docma - It seems like there are many fewer postdocs than there are new psychologists exiting internship. I worry that there will be no jobs out there for unlicensed psychologists, as I rarely see any on listserves or job posting boards.

In your experience, how do new Phds and Psyds find work in order to accrue hours if they don't (or can't) go the postdoc route? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.🙂
 
In your experience, how do new Phds and Psyds find work in order to accrue hours if they don't (or can't) go the postdoc route? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.🙂
Most people coming out of internship don't secure a formal post-doc, instead they get a job where they can receive supervision while working. These jobs vary in setting/structure....though most don't pay well until you get licensed. Some of the jobs hire for the cheap labor, while other jobs hire with the idea you will stay with the organization/practice once licensed.
 
Psychmama: the job you want will probably not be posted for a "psychologist" but if you find a job as a mental health practitioner or counselor or case manager or psychometrist or crisis specialist.....any of the social service categories (or research) where a masters in psychology is the entry level degree AND you can get an hour of supervision by a psychologist (plus other specifics yours state might require), you will be on the path. I usually encourage students to look for government (state, county, or municipal) or educational settings because sometimes these are considered "exempt" settings (in a certain regulatory sense) and you don't have to get special pre-licensure credentials (like a psych assistant certificate). Inpatient and residential setting also often have easier access to qualified supervision for psychologists (eg: licensed psychologist or board certified psychiatrist) than do community based organizations. You just have to network persistently and creatively and not look down on "master's level" clinical positions; that is where the entry level work is and there is so much to learn in this profession that you can easily work in a master's level job and be learning as much as you would in a formal post-doc (and sometime be paid more...)

Be sure to read the details of your state's licensure law about supervision carefully--then look for work that meets those criteria and ask in employment interviews (and contract) for guarantees re supervision. It is your job to know what is required. Employers are not responsible for knowing that, but once informed can be motivated to provide it. It is definitely possible to get an employer to agree to provide what you need.
 
Psychmama: the job you want will probably not be posted for a "psychologist" but if you find a job as a mental health practitioner or counselor or case manager or psychometrist or crisis specialist.....any of the social service categories (or research) where a masters in psychology is the entry level degree AND you can get an hour of supervision by a psychologist (plus other specifics yours state might require), you will be on the path. I usually encourage students to look for government (state, county, or municipal) or educational settings because sometimes these are considered "exempt" settings (in a certain regulatory sense) and you don't have to get special pre-licensure credentials (like a psych assistant certificate). Inpatient and residential setting also often have easier access to qualified supervision for psychologists (eg: licensed psychologist or board certified psychiatrist) than do community based organizations. You just have to network persistently and creatively and not look down on "master's level" clinical positions; that is where the entry level work is and there is so much to learn in this profession that you can easily work in a master's level job and be learning as much as you would in a formal post-doc (and sometime be paid more...)

Be sure to read the details of your state's licensure law about supervision carefully--then look for work that meets those criteria and ask in employment interviews (and contract) for guarantees re supervision. It is your job to know what is required. Employers are not responsible for knowing that, but once informed can be motivated to provide it. It is definitely possible to get an employer to agree to provide what you need.

Thank you very much -- this is very helpful. I'm not sure at this point where I'll land, but I'm prepared to network tirelessly. Maybe the one advantage of being older and tied to the area is that I know a lot of people? I guess I should make the most of this. Thanks again.
 
Thank you very much -- this is very helpful. I'm not sure at this point where I'll land, but I'm prepared to network tirelessly. Maybe the one advantage of being older and tied to the area is that I know a lot of people? I guess I should make the most of this. Thanks again.
Are you a member of your state association? It seems more and more job openings are posted on their listservs because it is partly quality control and partly ease of access. They tend to want local candidates because out of state people have more baggage (finding a place to live, moving, etc).
 
Are you a member of your state association? It seems more and more job openings are posted on their listservs because it is partly quality control and partly ease of access. They tend to want local candidates because out of state people have more baggage (finding a place to live, moving, etc).

Yes I am a member. I check the listserves regularly -- I haven't seen much recently, but I plan to keep checking as we get into the spring and summer months. I still have a couple of post-doc irons in the fire -- but I'm trying to plan for all contingencies. Anyway, this is just another hurdle on the long road to becoming a licensed psychologist. I get panicky once and a while, but I usually feel that things will work themselves out. I just hate not knowing what comes next.
 
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