Psychologist / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington 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 Washington data shows for Psychologists

Becoming a licensed psychologist in Washington means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 6,622 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. Washington regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)".

Upfront cost is $424, with renewal running $343 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
10/100
Psychologist · Washington

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
6,622 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$424
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$172/yr
$343 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 Washington

Education / Training Hours
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)
6,622 hours
Exam Requirement
EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
Required
Initial License Fee
$424
Renewal Fee
$343
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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Psychologist in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 6622 hours of education or training, the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) exam, and an initial fee of $424. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Psychologist in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed psychologist in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements including 6622 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Psychologist license to Washington 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 Washington. Verify the specifics with the Washington licensing board.
Does Washington require a background check for Psychologist licensing? ▼
Yes, Washington requires a criminal background check as part of the psychologist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Psychologist in Washington? ▼
To stay licensed as a psychologist in Washington, plan on 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $343.

Related Guides

What to do with this psychologist license

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

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

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