Earn a Degree and Learn How to Become a Psychologist in Florida
The state of Florida requires all licensed psychologists to have a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited or approved school.
It is of the utmost importance to create a plan for the educational path and licensing procedures that will be required of you in order to become a psychologist in the state of Florida.
Below is a detailed explanation of the regulations and requirements that this state has put forth for all future psychologists.
What Are the Educational Requirements to Become a Psychologist in Florida?
In order to work as a licensed psychologist in the state of Florida all candidates are required to have a doctoral degree, either a Ph.D. or a PsyD in psychology or a closely related field, this degree must be from an approved institution. Transcripts of your doctorate are required when applying for licensure.
Once you have received your master’s degree you will need to continue in higher education and study for a doctorate as a Ph.D. or a PsyD are a requirement to become a licensed psychologist in Florida.
Read more about psychology degrees in Florida.
Florida Supervised Work Experience and Examination Requirements
After acquiring your doctorate degree in psychology or a closely related subject such as educational psychology, candidates are then required to complete 4,000 hours of supervised professional experience over two years. This experience must be conducted under the supervision of a licensed psychologist that the Florida Board of Psychology has approved.
Once you have completed your doctoral degree and 4,000 hours of supervised experience you can then submit your application for licensure. The state of Florida requires all psychology licenses to be renewed every two years; to be eligible for renewal the license holder must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education. The Florida Board of Psychology also enforces one further stipulation to renewing you license, which is that on every third renewal a psychologist must undertake two hours of domestic violence education.
Note: For detailed information about how to earn a psychology license in Florida, please see the Florida Board of Psychology overview of licensure as a psychologist.
What Can I Do with a PsyD vs a PhD in Florida?
Once you do have a doctorate degree you all eligible to proceed with your application for licensure and begin work in your chosen field. The difference in the program between a PsyD and a Ph.D. mean they can lead to varying career options. Typically PsyD graduates progress into very clinical careers with large amounts of patient contact. While this type of career is also available to Ph.D. students they also have the additional options of working in research or teaching.
The difference in career options for graduates is because of the approach of their chosen doctorate. A Doctorate in Psychology or PsyD takes less time to complete than a Ph.D. because it requires a shorter thesis with less emphasis on research. The reduced emphasis on research is because a PsyD focuses more on clinical care and patient contact. A Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D., however, requires a thesis that demands large amounts of original research, because of the added time spent researching a Ph.D. is a longer course and so often receives more funding.
Psychology Career Outlook in Florida
The average annual salary for a clinical or counseling psychologist working in Florida is $94,240 as of May 2022. While working in an entry-level position you can expect to earn around $37,370 (lowest 10%) with those in more senior positions earning more than $173,420 (highest 10%).
Find information regarding tuition, financial aid, enrollment dates and curriculum by requesting information from the programs below:
Additional Psychology Resources for Florida:
- Florida Counselor Licensing
- Florida Social Work Licensing
- Florida Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing
- Explore Additional Psychologist Careers
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for clinical and counseling psychologists are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.
