Psychology in Ohio: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in OH
The annual mean Ohio clinical and counseling psychologist salary of $108,690 is higher than the national mean annual salary of $101,170 for clinical and counseling psychologists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS).
Ohio offers many colleges and universities with acclaimed psychology programs, and the state’s designation as a health professional shortage area (HPSA) puts this career in high demand.
Keep reading for more on psychologist licensing in Ohio, the demand for psychology professionals, and expected salary ranges.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $40,860 | $105,680 | $168,920 |
| School psychologists | $52,600 | $94,160 | $121,650 |
| Psychologists, all other | $31,530 | $118,410 | $147,200 |
Source:BLS
Psychologist Licensing in Ohio
Psychologist licensing in Ohio is regulated by the Ohio Board of Psychology. Obtaining a psychologist license in Ohio requires the completion of 3,600 supervisory hours and passing one national exam and one oral state exam.
License reciprocity refers to a state’s recognition of other states’ licensure benefits. Ohio honors psychologist license reciprocity with a simple process to ensure that out-of-state applicants meet the state’s standards.
Applicants must have earned certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology, the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, or the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Applicants must also successfully complete Ohio’s oral state exam, pass a background check, and submit an application to the Ohio Board of Psychology with a $300 fee.
License Requirements per the Ohio Board of Psychology
Applicants for psychologist licensing in Ohio must meet the following criteria:
Pass a background check.- Graduate from an accredited doctoral psychology program.
- Complete 3,600 hours of supervised experience. Graduates from accredited programs may complete this requirement in a combination of predoctoral and postdoctoral hours.
- Graduates of non-accredited programs must complete at least half of these hours during postdoctoral work.
- Pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and pay a $687.50 fee.
- Pass a state oral examination.
- Submit an application to the Ohio Board of Psychology and pay a $300 fee.
Demand for Psychology in Ohio
Ohio meets over one-third of its population’s mental health needs. However, the state remains designated as an HPSA by the Kaiser Family Foundation. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, as of 2021, over 2 million Ohioans reside in areas experiencing a mental health professional shortage.
Rural residents are a notably underserved population in Ohio. The nonprofit organization Rural Minds reports that individuals who reside in agricultural locations have a 25% higher rate of suicide than their city-dwelling peers. Rural Ohioans within the southern and southeastern corners of the state face challenges in obtaining services from a licensed psychologist, as this area of the state does not contain a major city.
To help serve these populations, the Ohio State University Extension launched a rural initiative in 2019 that identifies stressors, including lack of mental health services, within rural areas.
