2026 Maryland Psychology Licensure Requirements – How to Become a Psychologist in Maryland

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Becoming a psychologist in Maryland is a long but structured path: you need the right graduate training, supervised professional experience, state approval, and passing exam scores before you can practice independently. The decision matters because Maryland continues to face significant mental health access challenges. In 2026, 18.9% of adults in Maryland regularly reported feelings of depression, and 39.1% reported symptoms of anxiety or depression combined. Many adults who need counseling or therapy are still not receiving it, and over 1,500,000 people in Maryland live in communities with too few mental health professionals.

For students and career changers, this creates both an opportunity and a responsibility. Psychology graduates can pursue clinical, school, research, counseling-adjacent, behavioral health, and organizational roles, but the requirements differ sharply depending on whether you want to become a licensed psychologist, counselor, school psychologist, social worker, or another mental health professional. This guide explains Maryland psychology licensure requirements, education pathways, supervised experience rules, psychology programs in the state, related licenses, financial aid considerations, and practical questions to ask before choosing a program. If you are still exploring the field, it can also help you compare the different career options available with a psychology degree.

Maryland Psychology Licensure Requirements Guide: Table of Contents

1. Psychology careers and demand in Maryland
2. Education required to become a psychologist in Maryland
3. Maryland psychology programs to compare
4. Support resources for psychology students in Maryland
5. Networking and professional associations for psychology students
6. How BCBA certification can support a Maryland mental health career
7. How interdisciplinary study can strengthen mental health practice
8. How to become an LPC in Maryland
9. Social work as a related Maryland mental health pathway
10. How to become a school psychologist in Maryland
11. How to move toward criminal psychology in Maryland
12. Financial aid options for psychology students
13. How an LPC credential may benefit your career
14. How to choose a PsyD program
15. Other Maryland mental health licenses and certifications
16. Career options for licensed psychologists in Maryland
17. How to specialize in substance abuse counseling in Maryland

Quick Answer: How do you become a licensed psychologist in Maryland?

To become a licensed psychologist in Maryland, you generally need a bachelor’s degree, a qualifying doctoral degree in psychology, at least 3,250 hours of supervised professional experience, Board approval, a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a passing score on the Maryland Jurisprudence exam, and ongoing continuing education after licensure. Maryland’s licensing authority is the Maryland Department of Health Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Psychology Careers and Demand in Maryland

Maryland’s need for mental health professionals is shaped by several forces: unmet demand for counseling and therapy, growing awareness of behavioral health needs, school-based mental health concerns, healthcare system demand, and the needs of older adults who may experience cognitive and emotional health challenges. Psychologists are not the only professionals involved in mental health care, but they play a central role in assessment, diagnosis, therapy, consultation, research, and program development.

Labor market projections point to continued opportunities. Jobs for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in Maryland are projected to grow 13% through 2032. Industrial-organizational psychologist roles and all other psychologist roles are projected to grow 14% and 4%, respectively, during the same 10-year period.

Maryland psychologists also earn strong wages compared with many occupations, though applicants should weigh pay against graduate school cost, training time, debt, and the state’s cost of living. Clinical and counseling psychologists earn an average annual wage of $110,690, school psychologists earn an average annual wage of $88,520, and all other types of psychologists earn an average annual wage of $100,010. These wages are slightly above the national average for these professionals, while Maryland’s per capita personal consumption expenditure (PCE) is also slightly higher than the national per capita PCE: $48,650 in Maryland compared with $47,915 nationally.

Where psychologists work in Maryland

Education Required to Become a Psychologist in Maryland

The education path depends on your end goal. A bachelor’s degree can lead to entry-level human services, research assistant, case management, or graduate school preparation. A master’s degree may support counseling-adjacent or supervised roles, but Maryland psychologist licensure requires doctoral education. Students who want independent clinical practice should plan their academic path early, because accreditation, internship structure, and supervised experience rules affect licensure eligibility.

1. Bachelor’s degree and optional master’s degree

Maryland psychologist licensure applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree. The degree can be in psychology or another field, although non-psychology majors may need prerequisite coursework before admission to a psychology graduate program. A full-time bachelor’s program typically takes four years. After that, students may choose a master’s degree, but a master’s is not always required before doctoral study.

A master’s degree can still be useful. In Maryland, individuals with a master’s in a qualifying area such as clinical, counseling, or school psychology may be able to register as psychology associates and work under supervision from a licensed psychologist. This can help students build experience, clarify specialization interests, and strengthen doctoral applications.

2. Doctoral degree in psychology

Maryland psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree in psychology. Applicants may complete either a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D. in Psychology), provided the program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or approved by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.

Doctoral programs in psychology generally take four to seven years, depending on the school, program design, internship requirements, dissertation or research expectations, and whether a master’s degree is embedded in the doctoral sequence. Students should not judge programs by length alone. A shorter program is not always better if it limits internship placement, licensure preparation, or faculty mentorship.

Maryland accepts both practice-oriented and non-practice-oriented doctoral programs, but the path differs. Practice-focused programs often include clinical, counseling, or school psychology concentrations. Non-practice-oriented programs may be tied to psychology-related specialties that are not marketed as clinical, counseling, or school psychology. Practice-oriented doctoral programs must include at least 1,750 internship hours, with 25% in direct client service, and at least two hours each week of individual, in-person supervision. These internship hours may count toward Maryland’s supervised professional experience requirement.

PsyD vs. Ph.D. in Psychology: which is better for Maryland licensure?

Maryland Psychology Licensure Requirements: Step-by-Step

Maryland’s licensing process is designed to confirm that applicants have the academic preparation, supervised training, ethical grounding, and examination performance needed to practice safely. The exact pathway depends on whether your doctoral program is practice-oriented or non-practice-oriented, so applicants should keep documentation of internships, supervision, graduate coursework, transcripts, and professional experience.

1. Complete the required supervised professional experience. Maryland requires at least 3,250 hours of supervised experience before licensure. This experience helps applicants apply the core goals of psychology in real settings, including assessment, intervention, consultation, research, and professional judgment.
2. Follow the correct experience rules for your program type. Graduates of practice-oriented programs need at least 3,250 hours of supervised professional experience. At least 1,750 hours must be completed within a 24-month period through internship, while the remaining 1,500 hours may be completed during other parts of training, including pre-internship, post-internship, pre-doctoral, and post-doctoral periods.

At least 75% or 2,438 hours of the required 3,250 hours must be face-to-face hours under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Applicants from non-practice-oriented programs must complete at least 3,250 hours of professional work using psychological principles, methods, and procedures, such as teaching, research, or assessment. These hours may be completed before or after the doctoral degree, and applicants need at least one hour of individual, face-to-face supervision each week.

1. Submit your application to the Board. After meeting the supervised experience requirement, applicants submit the appropriate packet for practice-oriented or non-practice-oriented programs. The application requires a $300 nonrefundable fee, official transcripts from all graduate schools, supporting documents such as applicable reference coversheets, and fingerprints for a criminal history records check.
2. Pass the required licensing exams. After the Board approves the applicant, the candidate may take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a 225-item computerized multiple-choice exam. Maryland requires a passing score of 500. Once the EPPP is passed, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) submits the score to the Board. Applicants must also pass the Maryland Jurisprudence exam, which covers the state’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as well as Maryland-specific laws and regulations for psychology practice. The required score is at least 75%.
3. Maintain the license through renewal and continuing education. Maryland psychology licenses renew every two years and expire on March 31. Renewal requires completing the online Renewal Application for Licensure Form and meeting continuing education rules. Psychologists must complete 40 hours of continuing education during the two-year renewal period. No more than 20 hours may be independent credit hours. At least three continuing education hours must focus on ethics, laws for practicing psychology, or risk management, and at least three hours must focus on improving competence in serving culturally diverse populations. The Board may randomly audit licensees for proof of completed continuing education.

Maryland Psychology Programs to Compare for 2026

The right psychology program depends on your career target. A bachelor’s program may be enough for graduate school preparation or entry-level behavioral health work, but it will not qualify you for independent psychologist licensure. A master’s program can support counseling, applied behavior analysis, industrial-organizational work, or supervised psychology associate roles. A doctoral program is required for psychologist licensure in Maryland. When comparing schools, look beyond reputation and check accreditation, clinical training, internship access, faculty fit, tuition, assistantships, and whether the program aligns with Maryland licensure rules.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University has a notable history in psychology, including its association with the first psychological laboratory in the United States. Its Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Psychology. The undergraduate major builds a foundation in psychological and brain sciences and can prepare students for graduate education. The doctoral program is research-focused, with strong emphasis on scientific methods and training students as psychological scientists rather than primarily as practitioners.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program may earn a Master of Arts as part of the Ph.D. requirements. Typically, Ph.D. candidates qualify for the M.A. at the end of the second year after completing two area seminars and at least two courses in advanced statistics and/or psychological research.

• Location: Baltimore
• Status: Private
• Programs: Bachelor’s, Ph.D.
• Tuition and Fees: $86,065 (undergraduate) | $62,840 (graduate)

2. University of Maryland-College Park

The University of Maryland Department of Psychology offers undergraduate psychology training designed to help students develop skills and experiences for employment or graduate study. Its graduate options include:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
• Master’s Program in Clinical Psychological Science
• Master’s Program in Industrial Organization Psychology

Ph.D. students enter one of several specialty areas: Clinical; Cognitive and Neural Systems; Counseling; Developmental; and Social, Decision, and Organizational Science. Graduate students complete three quantitative courses and three core courses outside their specialty area, then focus on research and additional coursework connected to their chosen field.

• Location: College Park
• Status: Public
• Programs: Master’s, PhD
• Accreditation: APA
• Tuition and Fees: $828 to $1,805 per credit hour (graduate)

3. St. Mary’s College of Maryland

St. Mary’s College of Maryland offers an undergraduate psychology major. The program exposes students to the breadth of psychological science while allowing them to shape coursework around academic interests and future goals. Students may study interdisciplinary subfields such as:

• Community and Culture
• Health and Counseling
• Development and Learning
• Social and Cognitive Processes
• Biological and Sensory Processes

Psychology students may also participate in faculty research and become involved in ongoing research during the second or third year, which can be valuable for graduate school applications.

• Location: St. Mary’s City
• Status: Public
• Programs: Bachelor’s
• Tuition excluding fees: $12,116 per year (resident) | $28,192 (nonresident) | $22,116 (D.C. resident)

4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County Psychology Department offers psychology majors for both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) students. The curriculum combines teaching, research exposure, and social responsibility. The department also offers an Honors Program that allows eligible psychology majors to complete research experiences that may strengthen graduate school preparation.

UMBC’s graduate psychology options include:

• Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology
• PhD in Human Services Psychology (Behavioral, Clinical, Community)
• M.A. in Human Services Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis
• M.P.S. Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• M.A. in Learning and Performance Technology

UMBC’s Human Services Psychology Clinical Psychology Program has held APA accreditation since 1990. Students in the Clinical Program, including those completing combined training in Clinical Psychology and either Behavioral Medicine or Community Psychology, are part of the accredited portion of the HSP program.

• Location: Baltimore
• Status: Public
• Programs: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
• Accreditation: APA
• Annual Tuition and Fees: $44,892 (In-State, Graduate) | $54,198 (Out-of-State, Graduate)

5. Loyola University Maryland

The Loyola University Maryland Psychology Department offers an undergraduate psychology major that introduces students to core concepts, research methods, critical thinking, and diversity-related perspectives. The curriculum gives undergraduates flexibility to choose courses across required areas, which can help them prepare for graduate study or related careers.

Loyola also offers an M.S. in Clinical Professional Counseling. The program requires 60 credit hours and 600 supervised field experience hours and is designed to meet the educational requirements for becoming a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland.

The department also offers a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.). The APA-accredited Psy.D. follows the scholar-practitioner model and emphasizes clinical skill development, professional attitudes, and a broad knowledge base.

• Location: Baltimore
• Status: Private
• Programs: Undergraduate Major, Master’s, Psy.D.
• Accreditation: APA
• Tuition and Fees: $34,920 per year (Psy.D.) | $1,041 per credit (Master’s)

How to Choose a Psychology Program in Maryland

Choosing a psychology program is not just about picking the most recognizable school name. The best choice is the program that fits your licensure target, finances, preferred training model, location, and long-term career plans. Students aiming for psychologist licensure should be especially careful because not every psychology graduate program leads to the same eligibility outcome.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning for Maryland Psychology Licensure

• Choosing a doctoral program without checking licensure fit. A psychology doctorate may be academically strong but still not align with the practice pathway you want. Always confirm Maryland eligibility before enrolling.
• Focusing only on tuition. Tuition matters, but so do fees, cost of living, internship travel, unpaid practicum time, assistantship availability, and time to completion.
• Assuming online or hybrid coursework eliminates in-person training. Psychology licensure still depends on supervised experience, direct service hours, internship requirements, and exam performance.
• Waiting too long to document hours. Keep detailed records of supervision, direct service, internship dates, and professional experience throughout training.
• Confusing psychologist licensure with counselor, social work, MFT, or school psychology credentials. These careers overlap in mental health practice but have different education and licensing rules.
• Relying only on rankings. Rankings can help you build a shortlist, but accreditation, faculty mentorship, clinical placements, and funding should drive the final decision.

Support Resources for Psychology Students in Maryland

Psychology training is demanding academically, emotionally, and financially. Students benefit from support systems that help them handle coursework, research, practicum expectations, career planning, and personal well-being. Maryland students should look for programs that provide accessible student services rather than assuming support will be available automatically.

• Student counseling services: Many Maryland colleges and universities provide counseling support, group sessions, workshops, and stress-management resources for students managing academic, career, or personal concerns.
• Career and professional development: Psychology departments and campus career centers may offer internship guidance, alumni connections, mentorship, resume support, and preparation for graduate study or employment.
• Research and funding support: Institutions such as Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland may provide research grants, scholarships, fellowship options, or structured research opportunities that can strengthen a student’s academic profile.
• Professional associations: Groups such as the Maryland Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association can help students learn about professional issues, continuing education, ethics, and specialty areas.

Networking and Professional Associations for Psychology Students

Networking is not just about finding a job after graduation. For psychology students, it can lead to research assistantships, practicum referrals, dissertation support, internship recommendations, licensure guidance, and mentoring from professionals who understand Maryland’s mental health landscape.

• Join Maryland-focused organizations. Local groups such as the Maryland Psychological Association can help students learn about state-specific practice issues, policy updates, workshops, and professional events.
• Participate in national organizations. Membership in organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Association for Psychological Science (APS) can broaden access to conferences, publications, divisions, and specialty communities.
• Use university events intentionally. Alumni panels, research talks, practicum fairs, and career events can help students meet faculty, supervisors, and potential employers before they need a placement.
• Build a professional online presence. LinkedIn and similar platforms can help students follow organizations, identify internship openings, and connect with professionals in psychology, counseling, behavioral health, and research.

If you are comparing schools with student organizations, alumni reach, and career support in mind, review Research.com’s guide to the best colleges for psychology in Maryland.

The Rise of Online and Hybrid PsyD Options

Online and hybrid Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) programs can appeal to working adults, caregivers, and students who need more scheduling flexibility. However, students should be cautious: even if didactic coursework is online, clinical psychology training still requires supervised practice, assessment experience, practicum placements, internship hours, and licensure-aligned documentation. Maryland residents should verify accreditation, clinical placement support, internship expectations, and state licensure compatibility before enrolling in any remote program. A useful starting point is Research.com’s overview of accredited online PsyD programs.

How can BCBA certification enhance my mental health career in Maryland?

Board Certified Behavior Analyst training can be valuable for professionals who want to work with behavioral assessment, intervention planning, skill development, and data-based treatment approaches. It may be especially relevant for those interested in autism services, developmental disabilities, school-based behavior support, or applied behavior analysis. BCBA certification is not the same as psychologist licensure, but it can complement mental health training for professionals whose work involves behavior change. To compare this pathway, see Research.com’s guide on how to become a BCBA in Maryland.

Can interdisciplinary studies enhance my mental health career in Maryland?

Mental health work is shaped by more than individual symptoms. Social environment, family systems, culture, public health, education, housing, employment, and community resources all influence well-being. Interdisciplinary study can help psychology students understand these wider factors and collaborate more effectively with schools, hospitals, social service agencies, and public health organizations. If you are deciding between related social science fields, Research.com’s explanation of psychology vs sociology can help clarify how the disciplines differ and where they overlap.

How can I become an LPC in Maryland?

The Licensed Professional Counselor pathway is a separate mental health route for students who want to provide counseling services without completing a psychology doctorate. Candidates typically need a qualifying counseling or related master’s program, supervised clinical experience, and required licensing exams. This pathway may be a better fit for students who want a shorter graduate route focused on counseling practice rather than doctoral-level psychology training. For details, review Research.com’s guide on how to become an LPC in Maryland.

Is social work a viable complementary path in Maryland's mental health field?

Social work is a strong alternative for students who want to combine mental health services with advocacy, case management, community support, and systems-level problem-solving. Compared with psychology, social work generally places more emphasis on person-in-environment assessment, resource coordination, and social justice-oriented practice. The education and licensure process is different, so students should compare requirements carefully before choosing. Research.com’s Maryland social work guide explains what degree you need to become a social worker in Maryland.

How can I become a school psychologist in Maryland?

School psychology is a distinct pathway for professionals who want to support students’ academic, behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs. Preparation generally involves graduate-level study in school psychology, assessment training, intervention planning, consultation, practicum, internship experience, and meeting state credentialing expectations. This path is often best for students who want to work in K-12 or educational settings rather than private clinical practice. For a more detailed roadmap, read Research.com’s guide on how to become a school psychologist in Maryland.

How can I transition into criminal psychology in Maryland?

Criminal psychology and forensic-related work require more than a general interest in criminal behavior. Students should seek coursework, research, practicum experiences, or professional exposure tied to forensic assessment, legal systems, correctional environments, ethics, and psychological evaluation. Because these roles often sit at the intersection of psychology and law, networking with professionals in both fields is important. Research.com’s guide on how to become a criminal psychologist in Maryland explains this specialty path in more detail.

What financial aid options are available for psychology students in Maryland?

Psychology students should build a funding plan before enrolling, especially at the graduate and doctoral levels. Possible aid sources include federal aid, state aid, institutional scholarships, merit-based and need-based awards, private scholarships, work-study, assistantships, fellowships, and research or teaching appointments. Students comparing counseling routes may also want to evaluate total time to credential, because program length affects both cost and lost income. Research.com’s guide to the shortest path to become a counselor in Maryland can help students compare faster counseling routes with longer psychology licensure options.

Can obtaining an LPC benefit my mental health career in Maryland?

An LPC credential can benefit professionals who want to focus on counseling services, community mental health, private practice, or specialized therapeutic settings. It can also be a practical alternative for students who want to enter clinical counseling without completing a doctoral psychology program. However, LPC licensure and psychologist licensure are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on whether your goal is counseling practice, psychological assessment, doctoral-level clinical work, research, teaching, or organizational consulting. For state-specific requirements, review Research.com’s guide to Maryland LPC license requirements.

What factors should I consider when choosing a PsyD program?

When evaluating PsyD programs, prioritize licensure alignment, APA accreditation status, clinical training quality, practicum and internship placement support, faculty expertise, supervision model, cost, financial aid, student outcomes, and preparation for state exams. Students should also ask how the program tracks hours, supports internship applications, and prepares graduates for Maryland’s requirements. A PsyD can be a strong choice for clinically focused students, but it is a major investment. Research.com’s comparison of the top APA-accredited PsyD programs can help you create a stronger shortlist.

What other types of licenses and certifications are available for mental health professionals in Maryland?

Maryland’s mental health workforce includes more than licensed psychologists. Depending on your interests, you may consider counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, behavior analysis, substance abuse counseling, or school psychology. For example, students interested in relational and family systems work can explore an MFT license in Maryland. Each credential has its own education, supervised experience, exam, and renewal requirements, so compare them before committing to a degree program.

What career opportunities are available for licensed psychologists in Maryland?

Licensed psychologists in Maryland may work in clinical care, schools, government agencies, private practice, healthcare systems, research organizations, universities, courts, correctional settings, and businesses. The best career fit depends on your specialization, supervised experience, doctoral training, and interest in direct service, assessment, research, consultation, or leadership.

Students interested in law-related specialization may benefit from advanced study in forensic psychology. Research.com’s guide to forensic psychology masters programs can help compare options focused on criminal behavior, legal psychology, and mental health issues within justice settings.

What are the steps to specialize in substance abuse counseling in Maryland?

Substance abuse counseling can be a valuable specialty for professionals who want to support people affected by addiction, recovery challenges, relapse risk, and co-occurring mental health conditions. This route usually requires targeted coursework, supervised practice, and credential-specific preparation that may differ from psychologist licensure. Students should compare addiction counseling requirements with psychology, counseling, and social work pathways before choosing a program. For step-by-step information, see Research.com’s guide on how to become a substance abuse counselor in Maryland.

Should You Pursue Psychology Licensure in Maryland?

Maryland psychology licensure may be worth pursuing if you want doctoral-level training, independent clinical authority, psychological assessment expertise, research-informed practice, or advanced roles in healthcare, schools, government, private practice, or academia. It is not the fastest mental health route, and it requires years of education, supervised experience, exams, and continuing education. Students who want to enter counseling practice sooner should compare counseling, social work, school psychology, behavior analysis, and substance abuse counseling pathways.

If your goal is to become a psychologist, start by choosing a bachelor’s or graduate program that supports your long-term licensure plan. Students who need flexibility can compare campus-based and online psychology degree options, but they should always verify accreditation, supervised training, and Maryland licensure alignment before enrolling.

Key Insights

• Maryland has a real mental health access gap. Depression, anxiety, and provider shortage data show why the state needs more qualified mental health professionals.
• Psychologist licensure is a doctoral-level pathway. A bachelor’s degree can start the journey, and a master’s may support supervised or related roles, but independent psychologist licensure requires a qualifying doctorate.
• Supervised experience is a major requirement. Maryland requires at least 3,250 supervised professional experience hours, with specific rules depending on whether the doctoral program is practice-oriented or non-practice-oriented.
• Exams and renewal matter. Applicants must pass the EPPP and Maryland Jurisprudence exam, then complete 40 continuing education hours every two years to maintain licensure.
• Program choice affects licensure eligibility. Accreditation, internship design, supervision documentation, and faculty fit should matter as much as school reputation.
• Psychology is not the only mental health route. Counseling, social work, school psychology, MFT, BCBA, forensic, and substance abuse counseling pathways may fit different career goals and timelines.

References:

• CDC (2026, January 28). Mental Health Conditions & Care. CDC
• NAMI (2025, March). Mental Health in Maryland. NAMI
• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2025, December 31). Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). KFF
• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, May). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Area: Maryland. BLS
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal Consumption Expenditures by State. BEA