Psychology in Wisconsin: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in WI
Wisconsin psychology licensure requirements extend to education, experience, and exams. Review all the state-specific details with this career guide.
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Wisconsin’s psychology licensure requirements align with the standards used elsewhere in the U.S., but with state-specific details. Explore the various psychology licensure pathways available to Wisconsin residents.
Wisconsin Psychology Licensure Requirements
Wisconsin psychology licensure extends to two main professional classes: licensed psychologists and school psychologists.
Licensed psychologists are credentialed by Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services, the parent organization of the state’s Psychology Examining Board. The Pupil Services Division of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction manages school psychologist licensure.
The following subsections outline the specific requirements you must meet to obtain these Wisconsin psychology licenses.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychologist in Wisconsin?
Earning a full psychology license in Wisconsin usually takes 10-12 years. This timeline accounts for your undergraduate and graduate education, plus your required post-doctoral experience.
School psychologists typically face a timeline of 6-8 years, depending on the qualifying degree you pursue. It will usually take longer to earn a Ph.D., Psy.D. or an Ed.D. degree.
In either case, you can minimize time requirements by proceeding straight into your qualifying doctoral or specialist degree program after completing your bachelor’s degree.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Wisconsin
With some exceptions, you can apply for Wisconsin psychology licensure through reciprocity if you hold a valid psychologist license issued by another U.S. jurisdiction. Exceptions apply to interim licenses, which cannot be granted by reciprocity, and to psychologist license-holders from Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and Maryland.
Wisconsin’s pupil services licensing regime offers reciprocity pathways for school psychologists. You must hold an active license from your home state and meet all Wisconsin’s licensing requirements.
How to Renew a Psychology License in Wisconsin
Clinical and counseling psychologists must renew their Wisconsin licenses by September 30 in each odd-numbered year. License-holders can renew online. Continuing professional education (CPE) requirements apply. To meet them, you must complete at least 40 CPE hours every two-year licensing cycle through a provider approved by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
School psychologists must renew every three years, unless they hold a lifetime license. Those required to renew must satisfy the 40-hour CPE requirement that applies to other non-interim licensed psychologists.
Salary Expectations for Psychologists in Wisconsin
Psychologists earn high salaries in Wisconsin, with their wages generally lining up with national averages. Wisconsin’s clinical and counseling psychologists make slightly more on average than the May 2024 national mean of $106,850 per year reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
However, salaries for Wisconsin’s school psychologists and other psychologists lag slightly behind national averages. BLS data from May 2024 placed the national average for school psychologists at $93,610 per year and for all other psychologists at $111,340 per year.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $117,050 | $56.27 |
| School Psychologists | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,320 | $53.04 |
Professional Organizations for Psychologists in Wisconsin
- DSPS Psychology Examining Board: This regulatory body specializes in evaluating psychology license applicants. It is led by a six-member body, four of whom have backgrounds as licensed psychology practitioners and two of whom represent the general public.
- Wisconsin Psychological Association: The WPA is Wisconsin’s official state affiliate of the American Psychological Association. It provides student and professional members with educational resources, career development services, and advocacy. Members can also participate in a robust annual lineup of seminars, training sessions, and networking events.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin Psychology Licensure
To become a licensed clinical or counseling psychologist, you must have a doctoral degree in psychology, at least 3,000 hours of experiential training, and passing scores on the EPPP and the Wisconsin Jurisprudence Examination. School psychologists need a qualifying Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D., or Ed.S. degree, plus an institutional endorsement.
