The Application Process:
• The first step to getting licensed to practice Psychology in Pennsylvania is to fill out an "Application Requesting Approval to Sit for the Psychology Licensing Examinations." The application is located at the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology website, which can be found here.
• Within 90-days of submitting the application, you must also send in a Child Abuse History Clearance from The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
• IF the doctoral program you completed was APA accredited or ASPPB designated, AND you are a first-time applicant, you must submit a Verification of Doctoral Program Approval Status Form. IF the doctoral program you completed was NOT APA accredited or ASPPB designated, you must submit a Doctoral Program Information form. Both of these forms are located at the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology site.
• Along with this application, you will need to send in a $105.00 application fee (checks must be made out to "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania").
• Submit an Internship Verification Form along with a job description. This can be found at the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology site.
• If you have already completed post-doctorate experience, then you must also submit the following forms (which can be found at the PSBP site): The Application to Practice Psychology for Persons Licensed In Other States, the Application for Approval of Corporate or Fictitious Name, and the Application Form for Sponsor/Provider Approval for National and Regional Associations.
• You will need to send in a Criminal History Record Information Report from your resident state. This must include identifying information (SSN and/or DOB). If a record exists, you must send in original copies of court documents and police reports.
• Fill out a Verification of Graduation form (this can also be found at the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology site), and submit it along with a transcript.
• You will need to send in a Criminal History Record Information Report from your resident state. This must include identifying information (SSN and/or DOB). If a record exists, you must send in original copies of court documents and police reports.
THE EXAMS:
» You will be required to take the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) and the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
» Professional Examination Service (PES) will send an email inviting you to take the EPPP. The EPPP is a 225-question written exam (which is administered on a computer screen), for which you are given 4-hours and 15-minutes to complete. You must complete the exam within 60-days of receiving your authorization-to-test letter. You may sit for this exam no more than four times in a 12-month period. A score of 500 (out of 800) is recommended. Click here for a set of practice questions.
» Professional Credentialing Services (PCS) will send scheduling forms by mail for the PPLE after you pass the EPPP. This is an hour-long written test that is administered on a computer screen.
» Both the EPPP and PPLE can be scheduled on any day besides Sunday.