Psychologist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois 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 Illinois data shows for Psychologists

Becoming a licensed psychologist in Illinois means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 6,838 training hours, a passing score on EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology), and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Illinois regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)".

The initial price tag is $468, and renewal costs $376 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
10/100
Psychologist · Illinois

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
6,838 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$468
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$188/yr
$376 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)
6,838 hours
Exam Requirement
EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
Required
Initial License Fee
$468
Renewal Fee
$376
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Psychologist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover 6838 hours of education or training, the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) exam, and an initial fee of $468. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Psychologist in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed psychologist in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements including 6838 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Psychologist license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for psychologists nationally works like this: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Illinois. Verify the specifics with the Illinois licensing board.
Does Illinois require a background check for Psychologist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for psychologist licensing in Illinois. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Psychologist in Illinois? ▼
Licensed psychologists in Illinois must complete 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $376.

Related Guides

What to do with this psychologist license

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

  • See how Illinois'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 Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois 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.