How to Become a Psychologist in North Carolina
North Carolina has a thriving job market for psychologists. They are offered competitive pay and great benefits. According to O*NET, a partner of the US Department of Labor, psychologists’ jobs and positions are expected to grow by 10% in the state through the year 2030.
The work of a psychologist is extremely important; their clients rely on them for sound, knowledgeable and effective advice and treatment. The state of North Carolina feels that in order to gain the experience needed to dispense this treatment, individuals need to complete a certain amount of educational, work experience and examination requirements. In fact, the state prohibits professionals from using the title “psychologist” until they have been properly licensed.
Education Requirements for Psychologist Licensing in North Dakota
Like most states, North Carolina requires that future psychologists earn a Doctorate’s Degree from a psychology program. There are a few requirements the program must meet, including:
- It must be accredited by the American Psychological Association.
- It must meet the in-depth requirements of the Occupational Licensing Board and Commissions.
However, if you’re pursuing licensure as a school psychologist, these rules do not apply to you. You will need to graduate from an NASP or APA approved program in school psychology and complete a 1200-hour internship as well as pass the Praxis II exam.
There are many different graduate programs offering psychology in North Carolina, including those offered at Appalachian State University, Duke University, East Carolina University and various online universities. A full list of the available online programs can be found here, and the campus graduate programs can be found here. For a list of university contacts of North Carolina, please see the North Carolina Psychologist Association. To learn more about the various NC degree programs and schools please refer to our guide.
Supervised Professional Experience Requirements for a Psychologist
The supervised experience requirements outlined in North Carolina law state that an individual must earn at least 2 years (3,000 hours) of supervised practice before becoming licensed. The state permits one of these years to consist of predoctoral practice, but the additional year must be accumulated after earning the Doctorate Degree.
One of the requirements this practice is that it must be “comparable to the knowledge and skills acquired during formal doctoral or post-doctoral education, in accordance with established professional standards.” It’s best to get the type of experience approved by the Board before beginning.
An individual who has been a practicing psychologist for more than 12 years within the state with no disciplinary action against them and no unresolved complaints may qualify to be licensed as a “senior psychologist.” North Carolina laws and statutes define a senior psychologist as “someone who has achieved longevity in the practice of psychology and has demonstrated exemplary professional behavior over the course of his/her career.”
Note: To learn more about how to earn a psychology license in the state of North Carolina, please visit the North Carolina Psychology Board.
Examinations for the Psychologist License in North Carolina
The examinations required for individuals to obtain licensure as a psychologist in the state of North Carolina include the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the North Carolina State Examination. The EPPP is required by most states and is administered at various locations throughout the state of North Carolina. It is a multiple choice test, and individuals have 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete the test.
The State Examination focuses more on the applicant’s knowledge of North Carolina laws in relation to psychology, the statutes and ethics laws within the state. This test is administered through PSI testing centers and consists of 50 multiple-choice questions.
Psychology Career Outlook in North Carolina
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are approximately 1,820 clinical and counseling psychologists in the state of North Carolina as of May 2022. These psychologists earn an annual median wage of $80,260. The annual median wage is the center line, meaning that half of the psychologists in the state earn more than this amount while the other half earn less. On a national level, the lowest ten percent of psychologists earned lower than $42,760 while the top ten percent earned an annual median wage in excess of $168,790.
Find information regarding tuition, financial aid, enrollment dates, and curriculum by requesting information from the programs below:
Additional Psychology Resources for North Carolina:
- North Carolina Counselor Licensing
- North Carolina Social Work Licensing
- North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing
- Explore Additional Psychologist Careers
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics and Oregon Employment Department 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.
