Psychologist / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Psychologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the Tennessee data shows for Psychologists

Tennessee's path to psychologist licensure runs through 5,757 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. Tennessee folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)".

Budget $251 to get started, plus $214 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 40-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
14/100
Psychologist · Tennessee

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
5,757 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$251
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$107/yr
$214 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)
5,757 hours
Exam Requirement
EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
Required
Initial License Fee
$251
Renewal Fee
$214
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Psychologist in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires 5757 education/training hours, passing an exam (EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)), and an initial fee of $251. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Psychologist in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as a psychologist in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 5757 hours of education plus 2 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Psychologist license to Tennessee 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 Tennessee licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Psychologist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the psychologist licensing process in Tennessee. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Psychologist in Tennessee? ▼
Licensed psychologists in Tennessee must complete 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $214.

Related Guides

What to do with this psychologist license

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

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

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