Psychology in New Jersey: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in NJ
- Licensure Requirements
- How Long Does It Take?
- Out-of-State Reciprocity
- Licensure Renewal
- Salary Expectations
- Professional Organizations
- FAQ
Psychologists in New Jersey earn salaries significantly higher than the national average for the field. The state also offers a relatively straightforward licensure process for psychologists. Learn more about how to become a psychologist in New Jersey, including licensure requirements and salaries.
New Jersey Psychology Licensure Requirements
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Psychological Examiners oversees New Jersey psychology licensure. A three-year permit license is available to those who hold a doctorate and still need to complete the required supervised clinical hours for full licensure.
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen in order to become licensed as a psychologist in New Jersey. A social security number is not required as part of the psychology licensure application process, and professionals with undocumented status are welcome to apply.
Practicing Psychologist
New Jersey licensure requirements for practicing psychologists include:
- A doctorate in psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) or listed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register Joint Designation
- A passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
- Completion of a written jurisprudence orientation covering the statutes and regulations governing the practice of psychology in New Jersey
- Completion of two years of full-time supervised clinical practice (3,500 hours)
Supervised clinical hours must include 2,000 client contact hours and 400 hours of supervision, at least half of which must be individual supervision, while the rest may comprise group supervision. The remaining hours can include other work-related activities, including documentation, consultations, and report writing. Supervision must be provided by a psychologist who has been fully licensed for at least two years.
Three-Year Permit
New Jersey licensure requirements for a three-year permit include:
- A doctorate in psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) or listed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register Joint Designation
The three-year permit application is for recent graduates who have not yet completed all required supervised clinical hours for practicing psychologist licensure in New Jersey. Valid for up to three years, as soon as the permit holder’s hours are completed and approved, this permit is automatically converted into a practicing psychologist licensure application. The applicant can then become fully licensed after passing the EPPP and completing the required New Jersey jurisprudence orientation.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychologist in New Jersey?
It can take around eight years to become a psychologist in New Jersey. Most doctoral programs require six years of full-time study, followed by at least two years of supervised postdoctoral experience before qualifying for full licensure in the state.
This may take longer for part-time students or those just beginning their educational journey in a bachelor’s in psychology program. Professionals who already possess psychology licensure in another state may find the process to be much quicker and qualify for a license in New Jersey in a matter of weeks.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in New Jersey
Out-of-state psychologists seeking licensure in New Jersey must meet the same requirements as in-state applicants to receive a practicing psychologist license in the state. This is also true for out-of-state clinicians interested in providing telehealth services to New Jersey residents. Out-of-state applicants must complete the same practicing psychologist application as in-state applicants and need to provide the required documentation listed above.
If an out-of-state psychologist only plans to provide services for 10 consecutive business days, no more than 15 days in a three-month period, they might qualify for temporary permission to practice. This temporary permission can be obtained by submitting a letter of request detailing the type of practice the psychologist will be undertaking while in New Jersey, the anticipated dates of practice, as well as a current resume and a copy of their driver’s license.
How to Renew a Psychology License in New Jersey
Psychology licenses in New Jersey are up for renewal every two years. Licenses expire on June 30 of every odd-numbered year, and renewal instructions are sent out to current licensees about three months ahead of time.
In order to renew your license, you need 40 hours of continuing education (CE) credits. Four credits must be from courses related to domestic violence, while another credit should cover prescription opioid drug use, including the risk factors and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion. At least 20 CEs must be presented or approved by the American Psychological Association (APA), National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, or the American Medical Association (AMA).
Other CEs can come from taking graduate-level courses at a university, authoring a book or article, teaching a lecture, or developing a curriculum in psychology.
While you must keep records of your CEs for at least four years, you do not submit these records to the State Board of Psychological Examiners unless audited.
Salary Expectations for Psychologists in New Jersey
Psychologists in New Jersey make well above the national average, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Clinical and counseling psychologists earn the most, on average. School psychologists make the least in New Jersey at $94,060. However, this figure is still well above most other states for this occupation.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $148,370 | $71.33 |
| School Psychologists | $94,060 | $45.22 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $114,830 | $55.21 |
Professional Organizations for Psychologists in New Jersey
New Jersey State Board of Psychological Examiners
The board serves to protect public welfare by overseeing psychology licensure in New Jersey, adopting regulations, determining standards of practice, and responding to violations of practice requirements.
New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA)
The NJPA focuses on political outreach to advance the field of psychology and advocate for mental health issues that are important to people in the state. NJPA has several affiliate organizations that can help psychologists connect with others in their local area.
