Psychology in Illinois: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in IL
- Licensure Requirements
- How Long Does it Take?
- Out-of-State Licensing
- Licensing Renewal
- Salary Expectations
- Professional Organizations
- FAQ
Psychologists are in demand in Illinois. The state is also one of only five states where psychologists can prescribe medication.
Whether you’ve earned your doctorate or are considering applying, explore Illinois clinical psychology licensure requirements and a professional outlook for psychologists serving the Prairie State.
Illinois Psychology Licensure Requirements
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees psychology licensure in the state. The following psychology licenses are available in Illinois:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Prescribing Psychologist
- Prescribing Psychologist Controlled Substance
- Prescribing Psychologist Clinical Rotation Program
- Psychologist CE Sponsor
- Psychologist Clinical
Here are the Illinois psychology licensure requirements for the top psychology licenses offered in Illinois:
Clinical Psychologist
Illinois licensure requirements for a clinical psychologist include:
- Doctoral degree from an approved clinical, school, or counseling psychology program
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) passing score
- One year of supervised postdoctoral experience
Your postdoctoral experience must include one hour per week of individual supervision by a licensed clinical psychologist. The majority of your work during this time is generally clinical in nature, providing direct services to clients at an agency, hospital, or group practice setting.
Prescribing Psychologist
Illinois is one of five states in the nation where psychologists can prescribe medication. Licensure requirements for a prescribing psychologist in Illinois include:
- Current Illinois clinical psychology licensure in good standing
- A doctoral degree in clinical psychology and a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology
- Required undergraduate biomedical coursework, including medical terminology, biology, chemistry, microbiology, and human anatomy and physiology
- The Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP), administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), passing score
- Completion of a prescribing psychology residency, including nine medical rotations over the course of 14-28 months
Prescribing authority gives psychologists in Illinois the opportunity to meet a growing need for care in the state, especially among patients from low income, rural, and minority populations.
Prescribing Psychologist Mid-Level Practitioner Controlled Substances
Illinois licensure requirements for Mid-Level Practitioner Controlled Substances include:
- Hold a current prescribing psychologist license in the state of Illinois in good standing
- Submit a written collaborative agreement statement confirming that you have delegated prescriptive authority by a collaborating physician for non-narcotic Schedule III, IV, and/or V controlled substances
It is important to note that obtaining prescriptive authority brings with it the responsibility of preventing prescription medication abuse, which may necessitate new compliance needs in your clinical practice. Substances can only be prescribed by psychologists to address mental health concerns. The patient’s age, pregnancy status, co-occurring medical conditions, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and other factors impact limit prescribing ability.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychologist in Illinois?
The time it takes to become a licensed psychologist in Illinois varies based on where you are in your professional journey, your educational background, and clinical experience.
For those just starting out, a bachelor’s degree in psychology could take four years of full-time study, followed by 5-7 years to earn a doctorate in psychology. One year of supervised postdoctoral clinical experience is required before passing the EPPP and completing the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Altogether, this could take 10-12 years to achieve. An additional 3-4 years of specialized training is required to become a prescribing psychologist in Illinois.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Illinois
Illinois does not have official licensing reciprocity with any other states in the country. Out-of-state licensed psychologists may practice in Illinois for up to 30 days per calendar year without pursuing licensure in the state, a convenience for practitioners looking to continue therapy through telehealth while clients are out of town on holiday in Illinois. Temporary licensure is also available.
A clinical psychologist licensed in another state can apply for licensure in Illinois by endorsement, a special application process that requires professionals to provide verification of their out-of-state license, proof of passing the EPPP, and documentation of clinical experience.
How to Renew a Psychology License in Illinois
Psychologists in Illinois must renew their license every two years and provide proof of 24 continuing education hours, including at least three hours related to ethics, one hour of implicit bias training, one hour of training on Alzheimer’s disease, and one hour of sexual harassment prevention training. Every three years, psychologists must complete a refresher course on child abuse reporting requirements.
Licensed psychologists can renew their Illinois license by visiting the IDFPR website.
Salary Expectations for Psychologists in Illinois
The average annual salary for clinical psychologists in Illinois is higher than the national average, while school psychologists in the state make slightly less than the national average. Clinical psychologists receive the highest pay in psychology. Prescribing psychologists may make slightly more to reflect their specialized training.
| Professions | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $111,300 | $53.51 |
| School Psychologists | $83,060 | $39.93 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $97,100 | $46.69 |
Professional Organizations for Psychologists in Illinois
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
The IDFPR ensures that professionals meet legislative and regulatory requirements for licensure to protect consumers and uphold high standards of professional practice in Illinois.
Illinois Psychological Association
The largest professional association of psychologists in the state, the Illinois Psychological Association is a nonprofit organization that offers continuing education and networking opportunities, legislative advocacy on behalf of Illinois psychologists.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Illinois
NAMI Illinois advocates for people living with mental illness and offers peer support groups. The organization also provides suicide prevention and mental health first aid training for psychologists, along with an annual conference.
IDFPR Illinois Psychologist Licensure Instructions
The IDFPR offers detailed licensing instructions on their website, outlining special instructions for out-of-state applicants, as well as for senior psychologists who have been practicing for more than 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology Licensure
In order to obtain a psychology license in Illinois, you must submit an application to the IDFPR, including transcripts from the accredited doctoral program you attended, evidence of your passing EPPP score, and documentation of the required one year of supervised clinical postdoctoral experience.
