How to Become a Psychologist in Vermont
Vermont has a thriving job market for psychologists and those positions offer competitive salaries. According to the Vermont Department of Labor, the growth rate for psychology jobs will be 1.6% per year through the year 2020. Those seeking a psychology career in Vermont should have a good chance of finding a job. First, though, individuals must take several steps before they can become a psychologist in Vermont.
A psychologist is often their clients’ greatest ally in treating or managing a mental illness or another issue. Psychologists spend hours assessing patients, researching, diagnosing, and creating treatment plans for each patient they have. This is a massive responsibility and the state of Vermont understands that. They have put several educational, experience and examination requirements in place to ensure that their psychologists are highly qualified and up to the task.
Education Requirements for Psychologist Licensing in Vermont
The first step in obtaining a psychology license in the state of Vermont is to graduate from a doctoral program in psychology. There are a few available in the state, including those offered at the University of Vermont. Here you will find a full list of campus-based and online doctoral programs.
Different programs take different lengths of time to complete, but generally, a doctoral program will last between 2 and 4 years. Hands-on experience is always a plus and many programs will include supervised residencies and/or internships. This can help toward your supervised experience requirement. Read more about the psychology degrees and schools in VT.
Supervised Professional Experience Requirements for a Psychologist
While you’re earning your doctoral degree, you can start accumulating supervised experience. In the state of Virginia, you’ll need at least 4,000 hours of supervised experience and half of that can be earned while you’re still in school. The remainder of the experience will need to be earned after you’ve obtained your Doctorate’s Degree and will need to be earned under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
Examinations for the Psychologist License in Vermont
Those seeking licensure in the state of Vermont must take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. This test is nationally-recognized and consists of 225 multiple-choice questions. Individuals have 3 hours and 20 minutes to take the test and scores are provided by the ASPPB to the Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners.
Note: You may find additional information about how to earn a psychology license in Vermont by visiting the Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners.
Psychology Career Outlook in Vermont
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are approximately 330 clinical counseling and school psychologists in Vermont. In May of 2011, it was reported that those psychologists earned an annual median wage of $65,210. The BLS defines the median wage as the center line, meaning that “half the workers in an occupation earned more than the amount and half earned less.” The lowest ten percent of psychologists on a national level earned lower than $39,060 and the top ten percent earned an annual median wage exceeding $110,410.
