How to Become a Licensed Therapist in Pennsylvania

Therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals and individual practices.

In Pennsylvania, depending on education and experience, you can become a licensed psychologist, social worker and/or marriage and family therapist. All three licenses allow the individual to practice therapy with patients. The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology issues the psychology license while the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors issues the social work and marriage and family therapist licenses. Each license requires at least a master's degree and varying levels of previous experience and supervision.

Instructions

Psychology License

1. Fulfill the educational and clinical experience requirements to qualify to take the psychology boards. These requirements can be found on the Application to Request Approval to Sit for the Psychology Licensing Examination, which you can download from the Pennsylvania Department of State's website. Once you pass the exam, the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology will grant you a psychology license that expires on November 30th of every odd-numbered year.

2. Apply to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE). Complete the appropriate application based upon where you are with your doctor degree and post-doctoral experience.

3. Send the application fee and supporting documents, including criminal history report, child abuse history clearance, internship verification, school transcripts, verification of doctoral program approval status form or verification of post-doctoral experience, and application for license to practice psychology. Refer to the Pennsylvania Department of State's website for information on how to obtain several of these documents.

4. Wait for an email from the Professional Examination Service if you eligible to take the test. If you are deemed ineligible, the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology will notify you of this decision in writing.

5. Complete and submit the scheduling forms from Professional Credentialing Services to schedule to sit for the exams. Also, submit the Application to Practice Psychology for Persons Licensed In Other States, Application for Approval of Corporate or Fictitious Name and Application Form for Sponsor/Provider Approval for National and Regional Associations. Download these applications from the Pennsylvania Department of State's website and submit them per the applications' instructions.

6. Take the exam and upon receiving a passing score you will be consider a licensed psychologist by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology.

Social Work License

1. Fulfill the educational and clinical experience requirements to qualify to take the National Social Work Licensing Exam. These requirements can be found on the Clinical Social Worker-Application for Examination/Licensure and the Social Worker-Application for Examination/Licensure forms, which are downloadable from the Pennsylvania Department of State's website.

2. Submit the appropriate applications, fees and supporting document to take the exam. At a minimum, you'll need to submit the Clinical Social Worker-Application for Examination/Licensure or Social Worker-Application for Examination/Licensure, depending on your level of education and experience. If you need help determining which applications are needed, contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors at 717-783-1389 or [e-mail].

3. Wait for the Pennsylvania Board's decision on your eligibility to take the Association of Social Work Boards examination. You will receive notification in writing. Upon receiving notification, go to the Association of Social Work Boards' website to register online to take the exam. You can take the exam from your own computer after submitting the exam fee. The ASWB requires that you receive notification from the state board that you are eligible to take the exam.

4. Register at Pearson Professional Center's Pearson VUE's website if you prefer to take the exam at a testing center. You can go to the site to schedule a time to take the exam, which is offered Monday through Friday and some Saturdays, depending on the testing center's hours.

5. Take the examination and upon receiving a passing score you will be consider a licensed social worker by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.

Marriage and Family Therapist License

1. Fulfill the educational and clinical experience requirements to qualify to take the National MFT Examination. These requirements can be found on the Marriage and Family Therapy-Application, which is downloadable from the Pennsylvania Department of State's website.

2. Go to the Prometric-Thomson Learning Center website, the test administrator, to register to take the National MFT exam. Select "Academic, Professional Licensure & Certification, Government, and Corporate Programs" from the drop-down and then select "Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards," plus your location.

3. Complete the Professional Examination Service application. Send the application and exam fee per the instructions on the application. Look for information to contact Prometric-Thomson Learning Centers to schedule your exam. The exam is offered three times a year.

4. Submit the appropriate application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. This may include the Marriage and Family Therapy-Application for License by Examination and/or the Professional Counselor-Application for License by Examination. Complete the Pennsylvania Registration Form-NCE (National Counselor Examination) and/or the Pennsylvania Registration Form-EMAC (Examination for Master's Addictions Counselors) if you want to take these exams. Follow the instructions on the application for information about fees and test registration.

5. Take the National MFT exam. Your score will be mailed directly to the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. Upon passing, you will be considered a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pennsylvania.

References

• Pennsylvania Department of State: State Board of Psychology Licensure Information
• Pennsylvania Department of State: State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Licensure Information
• Association of Social Work Boards: Home
• Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards: MFT National Exam