Psychological Practitioner Applicants

A Licensed Psychological Practitioner is a psychologist who, by education and experience pursuant to § 54.1-3606.3, is professionally qualified to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders by providing counseling, psychotherapy, marital therapy, family therapy, group therapy, or behavioral therapy and to provide an assessment and evaluation of an individual's intellectual or cognitive ability, emotional adjustment, or personality, as related to the treatment of mental or emotional disorders. Additionally, the Licensed Psychological Practitioner must practice under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist unless approved for autonomous practice.

A License Psychological Practitioner may only practice and hold themselves as a psychological practitioner in Virginia or use the title of psychological practitioner if they hold a licensed issued by the Board.

It is strongly recommended that you review the Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology and the Psychological Practitioner Licensure Process Handbook before submitting an application.

Which Application Should I Choose?

Education or Professional Status >>>	Supervised Practice >>>	Action >>>	Application(s) to Submit:
I hold a conferred master’s degree in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or a school psychology and have completed the coursework outlined in Guidance Document 125-3.	.	I want to be approved to sit for the EPPP-1 examination and provide clinical services under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist.	Application for Licensure by Examination
I hold a current Licensed Psychological Practitioner in Virginia.	I have completed a minimum of one year of post-licensure practice under the supervision of a clinical psychologist with at least two years of post-licensure clinical practice and accumulated a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised practice.	I want to be approved to sit for the EPPP-2 examination and provide clinical services autonomously.	Paper Application to apply for Licensure for Autonomous Practice

Please note that the Board does not offer licensure by endorsement for the licensed psychological practitioner.

Important Reminders for All Applicants

Virginia law states it is unlawful for any person to practice or hold oneself out as a psychological practitioner in Virginia or use the title of psychological practitioner unless you hold a license issued by the Board.
Every psychological practitioner must communicate to patients and the public in writing that the psychological practitioner cannot practice autonomously and provide the name and contact information of the supervising clinical psychologist.
Additionally, a licensed psychological practitioner must practice under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist with at least two years of post-licensure clinical experience unless they have met the requirements for autonomous practice. The only exception is providing clinical psychology services in an exempt setting. See, 54.1-3601 for exemptions.
Prior to practice, a psychological practitioner that has not received an autonomous practice designation must enter into a supervisory agreement with a clinical psychologist with at least two years of post-licensure clinical experience. A sample of a supervisory agreement that outlines best practices, as detailed in the expectations and responsibilities section of the agreement can be found on the Board’s website.
Providing false or misleading information as well as omitting information in response to information requested in the application or as part of the application process is considered falsification of the application and may be grounds for denial of or taking disciplinary action against an existing registration, certification, or license.
Incomplete applications will remain active for one year from the date of payment. If your application is still incomplete after the one-year timeframe, you will be required to re-apply by submitting a new application, fee, and documentation pursuant to the regulations at that time.