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Becoming a Psychologist in West Virginia With Doctoral Level Licensure (With Supervision)

Educational Requirements

Aspiring psychologists seeking a doctoral degree in clinical psychology in West Virginia must meet several stringent requirements. This section outlines the eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to be considered for a doctoral program.

Firstly, applicants must possess a Ph.D. or Psy.D. or an Ed.D. in a clinical form of psychology. The degree must be granted by an accredited institution of higher learning and must have been completed in a department of psychology, a department of educational psychology, a department of education and psychology, or in a university department with the official designation containing the words “psychology” or “psychological.”

Secondly, the accredited graduate degree-granting institution must be accredited by nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies. These include:

  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.

Lastly, applicants must have completed required core graduate-level coursework that covers several areas, including clinical interviewing, diagnosis and treatment planning, psychopathology, biological bases of behavior, ethics, and assessment of children and adults. This coursework is mandatory, but not limited to, these areas.

Application Requirements

Once you meet these criteria, you can proceed to submit an application by contacting the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists office. The application must include all the necessary materials and fees listed on the appropriate checklist for Board approval.

Additionally, it is essential to note that all doctoral-level supervised psychologists must be W-2 employees. If you are or will be supervised by a W-2 employee, you must submit evidence of this with your application to the Board. This requirement ensures that all supervised psychologists have the necessary employee benefits and protections.

Supervised Work

Once the application is approved, applicants will receive a "Gold Card," denoting their Board-approved status as a supervised psychologist and the Board-approved supervisor(s) overseeing them. This card has an expiration date and must be renewed annually by submitting a renewal form, continuing education (CE)certificates, a CE Audit Form, and a fee.

Both the supervised psychologist and their supervisor must adhere to the terms outlined in their supervision contract. Doctoral degree applicants who completed a pre-doctoral or post-doctoral internship approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) or arranged through an accredited institution of higher learning must complete one year of supervision. Those without an internship must complete two years of supervised practice.

For applicants who completed a pre-doctoral internship with at least 1,800 hours, they are eligible to sit for an oral examination after successfully passing the EPPP, submitting quarterly reports, and submitting oral examination materials. Once these tasks are complete, they will be scheduled for the next available oral examination.

Supervised-psychologists are required to submit quarterly reports to the Board office four times per year, detailing face-to-face supervision and psychology work hours completed by the supervisee. Supervisors must keep a supervision log as well, which is outlined in the supervision contract.

Continuing education is also required, with ten hours per year being necessary for Gold Card renewal. 1.5 of these hours must be focused on ethics.

Examinations

As an important step towards licensure, doctoral degree supervised psychologists in West Virginia are required to pass the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) within two years of starting their supervision period. They are allowed a maximum of five attempts during this time.

Failure to pass the EPPP within this timeframe makes them ineligible for licensure, and they must stop all psychological practice and discontinue the use of the title "Supervised-Psychologist."

For those who completed an approved pre-doctoral internship of at least 1,800 hours, they are eligible to sit for an oral examination after successfully passing the EPPP. After completing the required years of full-time supervised work and the required number of face-to-face supervision hours, doctoral degree supervised-psychologists who are being supervised are also eligible to sit for an oral examination.

Upon passing the oral examination, the candidate will be issued a West Virginia psychology license.

Becoming a Psychologist in West Virginia With Doctoral Level Licensure (Without Supervision)

Educational Requirements

Applicants must hold a Ph.D., Psy.D., or an Ed.D. in a clinical form of psychology from an accredited institution of higher learning. The degree should have been completed in a department of educational psychology, psychology, education and psychology, or a department with an official designation containing the words “psychology” or “psychological.”

Secondly, the accredited graduate degree-granting institution must be accredited by the recognized regional accrediting agencies. These agencies include:

  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.

Thirdly, applicants must have completed required core graduate-level coursework that covers several areas, including diagnosis and treatment planning, clinical interviewing, psychopathology, biological bases of behavior, assessment of children and adults, ethics, clinical practicum, individual psychotherapy, clinical internship, and tests and measures. These courses are mandatory, but not limited to, these areas.

Fourthly, candidates who have completed a pre-doctoral internship with at least 1,800 hours of experience will be eligible to sit for an oral examination upon passing the EPPP and submitting oral examination materials. After completing these tasks, they will be scheduled for the next available oral examination.

Application Requirements

Applicants who meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria must contact the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists office for an application. The application materials and fees listed on the appropriate checklist must be submitted for Board approval.

Examinations

Passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a must. The minimum passing score is 500 and candidates have a period of 2 years to pass the exam, with a maximum of 5 attempts. Candidates also have the option of becoming supervised psychologists, which allows them to work in the state before becoming licensed. For more information on becoming a supervised psychologist, contact the Board office.

Once candidates have passed the EPPP and completed the required 1 or 2 years of full-time supervision, they are eligible to sit for their oral examination. Successfully passing the oral examination will result in the issuance of a West Virginia psychology license to the candidate.

Becoming a Master's Level Psychologist in West Virginia

Educational Requirements

Applicants must have completed a MA or MS degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning. The degree must have been completed in a department that focuses on psychology or educational psychology.

Secondly, the accredited graduate degree-granting institution must be accredited by the recognized regional accrediting agencies. These agencies include:

  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.

Thirdly, applicants must have completed at least fifty (50) hours of graduate-level coursework in psychology. The coursework of master's degree must cover a range of topics, including diagnosis and treatment planning, clinical interviewing, biological bases of behavior, psychopathology, assessment of children and adults, ethics, individual psychotherapy, clinical internship, clinical practicum, and tests and measures.

Furthermore, master's degree programs must include at least 50% of coursework earned from on-campus classes.

Application Requirements

Applicants who meet these criteria are eligible to pursue licensure and should contact the board office for further information on the application process.

Furthermore, evidence that the Supervised-Psychologist will be employed as a W-2 employee or is currently employed as such must be included in the application. All Supervised-Psychologists are required to adhere to this employment requirement.

Supervised Experience

  • Board Approval: Upon approval of the application, a "Gold Card" is issued to the applicant to indicate their status as a Board Approved Supervised-Psychologist. The card includes the name of the Board Approved Supervisor(s) and has an expiration date. Renewal requires submission of a renewal form, continuing education certificates, CE Audit Form, and a fee on an annual basis.
  • Supervision Contract: Both Supervised-Psychologists and their supervisors are required to adhere to the terms of the supervision contract.
  • Five-Year Supervision: Master's degree level Supervised-Psychologists must complete a total of five years of supervised practice.
  • Quarterly Reporting: Supervised-Psychologists are obligated to submit quarterly reports, including face-to-face supervision hours and psychology work hours completed by the supervisee, to the Board office four times per year. Further information will be provided after the application is approved. Additionally, supervisors are required to maintain a supervision log, as outlined in the supervision contract.
  • Continuing Education: In order to renew their gold cards, Supervised-Psychologists are expected to complete 10 hours of continuing education per year, including 1.5 hours in ethics.

Examinations

Supervised-Psychologists are required to take the EPPP at least once during their first 12 months in this status. For Masters level Supervised-Psychologists, passing the EPPP is required within 5 years and taking the exam annually is mandatory. However, they are only allowed to take the exam a maximum of five times during the 5-year supervision period.

Failure to pass the exam within the designated periods will result in ineligibility for licensure. Individuals who do not meet this requirement must stop all psychological practice and discontinue use of the “Supervised-Psychologist” title.

Once Masters level Supervised-Psychologists have completed the 5-year period of full-time supervised work and met the required number of face-to-face supervision hours, they are eligible to sit for an oral examination.

If the oral examination is successfully passed, a West Virginia psychology license will be granted to the candidate.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychologist in West Virginia?

Becoming a doctoral level licensed psychologist in West Virginia requires obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology and obtaining a state license. The length of time it takes to become a psychologist in West Virginia varies depending on the educational path chosen and individual circumstances.

Typically, it takes around 10-14 years to become a psychologist in West Virginia. This includes completing a bachelor's degree, a doctoral degree in psychology, and a period of supervised practice.

To become a psychologist in West Virginia, one must first earn a bachelor's degree, which typically takes 4 years. After completing a bachelor's degree, students must then obtain a doctoral degree in psychology, which typically takes 4-7 years.

After earning a doctoral degree, aspiring psychologists in West Virginia must complete a period of supervised practice, which typically takes 2 years. During this time, they must complete 1,800 hours of supervised practice, pass the EPPP exam, and complete an oral examination.

Which Schools Offer Psychology Programs in West Virginia?

There are several schools in West Virginia that offer psychology programs. Some of the notable ones are:

  • West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)
  • Marshall University (Huntington, WV)
  • Shepherd University (Shepherdstown, WV)
  • Wheeling University (Wheeling, WV)
  • West Liberty University (West Liberty, WV)

Where Do Psychologists Work in West Virginia?

Psychologists in West Virginia have the privilege of serving diverse communities and working in a variety of settings. These settings include private practices, hospitals, schools, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

For psychologists seeking autonomy, private practice offers an attractive option. Psychologists can specialize in different areas of psychology, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or forensic psychology. They may provide therapy, assessment, and other psychological services to individuals, couples, families, or groups.

Hospitals and medical centers also offer psychologists various opportunities. Psychologists may work in general hospitals, providing services to patients with medical conditions, or in psychiatric hospitals, providing therapy and other services to patients with mental health issues. Collaboration with healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care is also a key responsibility of some psychologists.

Schools offer another setting where psychologists can play a significant role. School psychologists work with students, teachers, and administrators to address issues related to academic performance, social and emotional development, and behavior. They provide counseling services, conduct assessments, and develop programs to promote student success.

Psychologists are also employed by government agencies, including state and local departments of health and human services. These psychologists work in areas such as public health, substance abuse treatment, or child welfare.

Lastly, non-profit organizations have a high demand for psychologists. These organizations address various issues such as domestic violence, addiction, or mental health and provide counseling services, support groups, and other services to individuals and families in need. Psychologists have an important role to play in addressing these issues and supporting vulnerable populations.

What are the Requirements for West Virginia Psychology Licensure by Reciprocity?

To maintain an active license to practice psychology in West Virginia, renewal is required. The expiration date of the license is dependent on the issuance date, and it expires every two years at the beginning of January, April, July, or October. Prior to the expiration date, the Board will mail the necessary paperwork for license renewal.

During each two-year renewal period, 20 hours of continuing education (CE) activities are required, while school psychologists must complete 30 hours of CE during each three-year renewal period. Out of the 20 or 30 required hours, three hours must be in ethics. The APA or the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) must approve at least 10 of these hours, while three hours must be related to ethics and two hours related to clinical topics relevant to veterans.

The Board automatically approves activities affiliated with national or state psychology organizations and some other bodies. Workshops, seminars, graduate coursework, and academic publications are all acceptable types of CE activities. If you wish to attend an activity that is not pre-approved, you will need to request approval from the Board via email.

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