Steps to Be a Licensed Psychologist in Arkansas
Become a Licensed Psychologist in Arkansas
Do you dream of becoming a licensed psychologist in Arkansas? Are you looking for the fastest and most efficient way to get your license? If so, this blog post is just what you need! We will walk you through all the steps needed to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas. So if you’re ready to take the next step on your journey, keep reading!
- Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree: You must first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. It is recommended to take courses in psychology, biology, statistics, and other related fields.
- Earn a Master’s or Doctoral Degree: You must then earn a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited institution. A doctoral degree is required to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas.
- Complete an Internship: You must complete an internship of at least 1,500 hours, with at least 25% of the time spent in direct service.
- Gain Work Experience: You must have at least two years of postdoctoral supervised experience, with at least 1,500 hours per year.
- Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP): You must pass the EPPP, which is a standardized test of psychology knowledge and skills.
- Apply for Licensure: You must apply for licensure with the Arkansas Psychology Board and submit all necessary documentation, including transcripts, internship and work experience verification, and EPPP scores.
- Complete Continuing Education: You must complete continuing education courses to maintain your license and stay up to date on the latest developments in the field.
Note: The above steps are subject to change, and it’s important to check with the Arkansas Board of Psychology for the most up-to-date information. See the boards of psychology in each state.
Initial Application Request and Application
To become a licensed Psychologist in Arkansas, applicants must first submit a completed Request for License Application Packet form to the Board via email, along with an application fee of $200 (or a $50 deposit). The form can be downloaded from the Arkansas Psychology Board Rules website. Applicants must also provide evidence of their doctorate in psychology from a board-approved school. Additionally, Senior psychologists (≥10 years of experience) may be eligible for a streamlined application process.
Education Requirements for Psychologist Licensing in Arkansas
In order to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas, one must have a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. Additionally, they must provide documentation showing three or more years of supervised professional experience, obtain a master’s degree in counseling or a related field, and pass the licensing exam. Upon meeting these requirements, an individual can then proceed to apply for licensure with the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Psychology.
Master’s Degree Requirements
In order to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas, applicants must have a master’s degree in counseling or related field from an accredited institution. This degree must be earned prior to enrolling in a doctoral program and the applicant must provide documentation of three or more years of supervised professional experience. Furthermore, applicants must complete at least 600 clock hours of supervised experience directly related to the intended use of the license.
Doctoral Degree Requirements
Once you have earned your Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, you will need to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Psychology in order to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas. The Doctoral Degree must be obtained from an accredited institution and approved by the Arkansas Psychology Board. During your doctoral program, you will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the field of psychology, as well as experience working with clients under supervision. This supervised professional experience is a requirement for licensure as a psychologist and must be completed prior to applying for the license. After completing your doctoral degree, you will then be eligible to apply for licensure with the Arkansas Psychology Board.
Supervised Professional Experience Requirements
In order to become a licensed psychologist in Arkansas, a candidate must complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of supervised professional experience. This experience must include at least two years of professional experience, three references from licensed psychologists, and a range of activities related to the practice of psychology. These activities must include psychological assessment and intervention, consultation, research and teaching, and administration. Additionally, the candidate must complete an internship program as part of their supervised professional experience requirements. This program must be approved by the Arkansas State Board of Examiners in Psychology and must meet all state guidelines.
Licensure Application Process
Once all education, experience, and examination requirements have been met, applicants for licensure can begin the licensure application process. The initial application form can be requested from the Arkansas Psychology Board, and should include four letters of recommendation from licensed psychologists. The average processing time for licensure applications is dependent on in-state re-licensure and out-of-state psychologists applying for licensure in Arkansas. For out-of-state applicants, the Board may require additional documentation to ensure an applicant has met the legal standards for licensure in Arkansas. Once an application is approved, a license will be issued to the applicant, allowing them to practice psychology in the state of Arkansas.
Licensure Examination Requirements
In order to be licensed as a psychologist in Arkansas, applicants must take and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The exam is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and is taken at a secure computer testing center. The exam is comprised of 225 multiple-choice questions related to psychology, including topics such as human development and behavior, assessment and diagnosis, ethical standards, research methods, and treatment planning. Once the examination has been completed, the results will be sent to the Arkansas Psychological Board for review.
Continuing Education Requirements
Once an Arkansas psychologist is licensed, they are required to complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing education (CE) activity every license renewal period, of which three (3) must be ethics-related. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork approves the Institute of Somatic Therapy (Judith Koch) as a continuing education provider. Additionally, licensees may take up to 20 hours of the annual CE requirement by home study. Licensees will not report CE activity during the initial licensure application process.
Renewal and Reinstatement of Licensure
In Arkansas, licensed psychologists must renew their licenses annually during the two-month period of May 1 – June 30. To reinstate a license that has become delinquent, applicants must meet CEU requirements and pay any applicable fees. In order to become certified, applicants must submit a complete Reinstatement application along with all necessary supporting materials to the Teacher Certification office. Additionally, physical therapists must complete continuing education requirements for license renewal and have the Arkansas Physical Therapy Board approve all continuing education courses. Renewal and reinstatement of licensure is essential for psychologists to remain in good standing and continue practicing in Arkansas.
Out-of-State Psychologists Applying for Licensure in Arkansas
Out-of-state psychologists seeking licensure in Arkansas may do so through the state’s License Reciprocity process. In order to be eligible for licensure, applicants must have a doctoral degree in psychology or a closely related field from a nationally or regionally accredited institution and demonstrate successful completion of supervised professional experience requirements. Applicants must also have a minimum of two years of post-doctoral experience and complete the licensure application process, including submitting documentation to the Arkansas State Board of Psychology and taking and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Applicants must also meet continuing education requirements for renewal and reinstatement of licensure.
