Psychologist / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Psychologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Diagnoses and treats mental and behavioral disorders. Requires doctoral degree.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Psychologists

District of Columbia's path to psychologist licensure runs through 6,146 hours of approved instruction, 2 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. District of Columbia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)".

Budget $329 to get started, plus $272 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For psychologists, the reciprocity picture is: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
11/100
Psychologist · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
6,146 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$329
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$136/yr
$272 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
20.0 hrs/yr
40 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)
6,146 hours
Exam Requirement
EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
Required
Initial License Fee
$329
Renewal Fee
$272
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Psychologist All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Psychologist in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia's requirements cover 6146 hours of education or training, the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) exam, and an initial fee of $329. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Psychologist in District of Columbia? ▼
Certification as a psychologist in District of Columbia means clearing the state's checklist: 6146 hours of education plus 2 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The District of Columbia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Psychologist license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
For psychologists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Psychologist licensing? ▼
District of Columbia does require a background check before issuing a psychologist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Psychologist in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia ties continued psychologist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $272 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this psychologist license

Psychologist in District of Columbia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a psychologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how District of Columbia's psychologist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Psychologist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state psychologist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how District of Columbia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. District of Columbia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.