Clinical Psychology-By Examination

First Time License - Application by Examination

This application is for individuals who have completed the educational requirements in 18VAC125-20-54 AND have:

• Completed doctoral practicum hours that satisfies the residency requirements in 18VAC125-20-65, or
• Completed experience requirements as a board-approved Resident in Clinical Psychology, or
• Been approved as a resident in clinical psychology and need approval to take the EPPP examination. 

Requirements for Application:

Education: Successfully graduate with a clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or a school psychology doctorate degree from an American Psychological Association (APA), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or substantially equivalent accredited program. As part of your doctorate degree program, you must have also:

1. Completed an internship in a program that is either accredited by the APA, CPA, a member of APPIC, or equivalent as outlined in Regulation 18VAC125-20-54E, and
2. Completed supervised practicum experience of at least 9 semester or 15 quarter hours involving assessment, diagnosis, and psychological interventions as outlined in Regulation 18VA125-20- 54C.

Experience: Have completed, or are in a Board approved Residency to complete, 1,500 hours of supervised practicum or supervised residency experience in the delivery of clinical psychology services.  

Follow these steps to apply for Licensure by Examination

• Laws regarding the Practice of Psychology in the state of Virginia
• Regulations regarding the practice of psychology in the state of Virginia.
• Clinical Psychologist Licensure Process Handbook. This handbook provides detailed information about the required documents and process to obtain a license. 

• Review the Application Instructions for Clinical Psychologist licensure by examination for the documents needed to submit with your online application.
• Gather and request the necessary documents.

Do not start the online application until you have requested or obtained the applicable documents from Step 2. Submitting incomplete applications will delay the review and approval process. 

Begin the Online Application:

• Register for an Account or Login if you have an existing account.
• Select ‘Initial Application’ from the menu.
• Select ‘Psychology’ as the Profession.
• Select ‘Clinical Psychologist’ as the License Type.
• Select ‘Examination’ as the Obtained by Method.
• Click ‘Start Application’.

Complete the Required Fields

Within the online application portal, upload the applicable documentation.  PDF file format is preferred.  

The following are possible documents you may be required to upload within the application portal:

• Internship Verification form
• Internship Equivalency Questionnaire
• Verification of Pre-Doctoral Supervised Practicum Hours form
• National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB) Self Query Report
• Area of Graduate Study for Clinical Psychologist Verification of Required Coursework form
• Verification of Post Degree Supervision form
• Supervisor’s Out-of-State Licensure Verification
• Proof of Out-of-State License from the issuing jurisdiction
• Proof of Name Change
• Supporting documentation for any criminal convictions, past actions, or possible impairments.

Within the online application portal, pay the application fee. 

• The fee for Clinical Psychology Licensure by Examination is $200.00.
• All fees are nonrefundable.

• You will receive automated emails from psy@dhp.virginia.gov with your application status.
• You can also visit the Online Checklist to view the status of your application.
• If your name or address changes prior to receiving your approval to begin your residency, notify the Board as soon as possible in writing by submitting the Name and Address Change Form.
• Contact the Board with any questions: psy@dhp.virginia.gov or TEL: (804) 367–4697.