Psychology in New Jersey: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in New Jersey
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks New Jersey as the highest-paying state in the U.S. for clinical and counseling psychologists. New Jersey also tops our ranking of the best states for psychologists.
Learn more about how to become a psychologist in New Jersey, salaries, licensing requirements, and the demand for New Jersey psychologists.
Psychologist Salaries in New Jersey
The BLS reports median annual salaries from May 2023 for three categories of New Jersey psychologists.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $85,940 | $130,700 | $224,620 |
| School psychologists | $67,560 | $93,380 | $122,150 |
| Psychologists, all other | $44,740 | $128,810 | $145,810 |
Psychologist Licensing in New Jersey
The State Board of Psychological Examiners regulates psychology licensure in New Jersey. The Board requires a doctoral degree in psychology for licensure. Future psychologists can choose from a Ph.D. in psychology, a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.), or a doctor of education (Ed.D.) in psychology. Doctoral degree-holders can apply for licensing through examination.
The board issues two types of psychology licenses. Practicing psychologist licensure is for psychologists licensed in other states and applicants who have completed all of their clinical hours. The three-year permit is for applicants completing their supervised experience hours.
New Jersey also offers temporary permission for psychologists seeking to practice in the state for no more than 10-15 days in a three-month period.
License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, you need the following:
- 1Doctoral Degree: Applicants need a doctorate in psychology—Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. from an American Psychological Association-accredited program.
- 2Clinical Hours: New Jersey requires two years of supervised practice experience totaling 3,500 hours. Applicants can combine pre- and post-doctoral hours.
- 3Application and Fees: Applicants register on the state board’s website, submit their applications online, email transcripts and other required documents, and pay a $125 application fee.
- 4Criminal Background Check: The board requires a criminal background check for licensure applicants by reciprocity. New Jersey psychology doctoral programs typically require background checks, so applicants applying for licensure by exam do not need to pass another background check.
- 5EPPP Exam: Applicants must take both parts of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, a written multiple-choice exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
- 6Jurisprudence Exam: The board also requires a written exam that tests applicants’ knowledge of New Jersey laws and regulations governing psychology practice.
Demand for Psychology in New Jersey
As in many areas of the country, psychologists are in demand in New Jersey. BLS data for May 2023 show that New Jersey clinical and counseling psychologists and school psychologists constitute a higher share of employment than the U.S. average; however, all other psychologists are less prevalent in the state than average.
The Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research organization, reported that more than 1.5 million New Jersey residents experienced a shortage of health professionals, including mental health providers, as of November 1, 2023. This means that only 18% of the need for healthcare was met.
A January 2024 New Jersey Monthly article on the shortage of mental health providers reported that teletherapy could remove barriers to healthcare by offering more available appointment times and reducing transportation and childcare costs.
New Jersey participates in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which makes offering teletherapy services easier. This interstate compact allows psychologists in participating states to provide teletherapy or temporarily practice in other participating states.
In addition, psychology doctoral students at New Jersey’s Rutgers University provide lower-cost treatment to community members under the supervision of licensed psychologists.
Page last reviewed on April 10, 2024
