How to Become a Psychologist in Alaska

The field of psychology is growing at an impressive rate across the United States, and the state of Alaska is no different. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development estimates that the field will grow 9.68% through the year 2030. This is great news for bright young individuals interested in psychology, as a higher demand translates to higher salaries and more opportunities.

State laws govern the steps that must be taken by future psychologists, in an effort to ensure that patients are getting the best care possible from qualified professionals. Those who are interested in pursuing this career path must follow those steps in order to gain licensure.

Research different psychology programs that are available in Alaska here.

Education Requirements for Psychologist Licensing in Alaska

Whereas many states will accept a Master’s degree in psychology, the state of Alaska requires that future psychologists earn their Doctorate’s degree in clinical psychology or psychology counseling from an institution that is regionally accredited. Those that meet the guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the Alaska Psychology Board should be the starting point of future psychologists.

At this point, individuals will need to apply for a license as a psychological associate, which will provide them with a license to practice under direct supervision of a psychologist. The application must include the plan to gain supervised experience, and the temporary license will be valid for 2 years after being issued. Find a psychology degree in AK.

Supervised Professional Experience Requirements for a Psychologist in Alaska

The Board requires that future psychologists gain at least one year of post-doctoral supervised experience after obtaining their temporary license, or 1500 hours. For each week, you must complete at least one hour of direct supervised experience dealing with a patient or client. This practice must be completed under the eye of a licensed psychologist in the state of Alaska.

Examination for the Psychologist License in Alaska

Like most other states, the Alaska Psychology Board accepts passing scores from the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) which is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). This examination contains 225 multiple-choice questions, 50 of which are pre-test items, with the remaining 175 being scored questions.

Candidates must also pass the Alaska State Law and Ethics Exam, which is administered in Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage. This examination tests the candidate’s knowledge of things like ethics and privacy rights.

Note: More information on the examinations required can be obtained at the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.

Psychologist Career Outlook in Alaska

The Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly gathers occupation data from employers in each state for nearly every industry. In the state of Alaska, as of May 2022, there are approximately 110 clinical and counseling employed. Their annual mean wage is $99,880, which is just slightly under the national average for this career. There are also 60 school psychologists in the state earning an average salary of $86,510.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics and Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development job market trends and salary figures for psychology professionals in Alaska are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.

Schools with Degree Programs Accepting Students from Alaska