Psychology in New Mexico: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in NM
With 1.3 million New Mexico residents living in areas experiencing a mental health professional shortage, the state needs licensed psychologists. Nearly 75% of New Mexico’s mental health providers are located in the urban communities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, creating ample rural job opportunities.
If you are seeking a rewarding role in a picturesque frontier state, learn more about psychologist licensing in New Mexico, the state’s demand for psychology professionals, and expected New Mexico psychologist salaries.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $52,400 | $98,030 | N/A |
| School psychologists | $59,260 | $74,370 | $121,180 |
| Psychologists, all other | $26,350 | $101,980 | $120,540 |
Source:BLS
Psychologist Licensing in New Mexico
Psychologist licensing in New Mexico is regulated by the Board of Psychologist Examiners.
Obtaining a psychologist license in New Mexico requires the completion of 3,000 supervisory hours and passing two exams, including an open-bookjurisprudence exam.
License reciprocity refers to a state’s recognition of other states’ licensure benefits. New Mexico does grant psychologist license reciprocity, provided the candidate meets specific standards upon application. Candidates must have held an active, out-of-state psychologist license for at least the past 10 years, maintained a history of good professional standing, and achieved passing scores on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the New Mexico jurisprudence exam.
License Requirements
Applicants for psychologist licensing in New Mexico must meet the following criteria:
Graduate from a doctoral psychology program with nationally recognized accreditation.- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience, some of which may be postdoctoral.
- Pass the EPPP with a minimum score of 500 and pay a $687.50 fee.
- Pass New Mexico’s jurisprudence exam with a minimum score of 70% and pay a $75 fee.
- Submit an application to the Board of Psychologist Examiners with a $125 fee.
- Pass a criminal background check.
Demand for Psychology in New Mexico
New Mexico meets only 16% of its population’s mental health needs, designating the state a health professional shortage area, per the Kaiser Family Foundation. This low percentage demonstrates the critical need for licensed psychologists in the state.
Children constitute an underserved population in New Mexico, specifically school-aged youth. The National Association of School Psychologists suggests a student-to-school psychologist ratio of 500-to-1. However, New Mexico’s school systems maintain a 3,673-to-1 ratio.
Around 33% of New Mexico students described feeling sad or hopeless, according to the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Sadly, 19% of New Mexico’s students reported having suicidal thoughts, while an alarming 20% of Black students and 14% of Native American students have attempted suicide. The presence of additional licensed school psychologists in New Mexico are urgently needed to serve these populations.
