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Become a Psychologist in Arkansas - AR
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 7 2010
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The American Psychological Association (APA) defines a psychologist as a professional with “a doctoral degree in psychology from an organized, sequential program in a regionally accredited university or professional school." The APA indicates: “it is (the) general pattern to refer to master's-level positions as counselors, specialists, clinicians, and so forth (rather than as "psychologists"). This association is the accrediting body for psychologists (www.APA.org - see Association section).
It is important to note for all students looking to find out how to become a psychologist in Arkansas that the Arkansas Board of Psychology (http://www.state.ar.us/abep/) approves licenses for psychologist applicants.
Licensing in Arkansas for psychologists also requires a post-graduate one-year internship, accredited by the APA. An additional year of supervised, full-time work is necessary in a specialty consistent with the applicant’s doctoral studies following graduation. Arkansas allows applicants to work under provisional licensing where a licensed psychologist supervises their work.
The psychologist application in Arkansas requires a Statement of Intent, which defines the scope of practice based upon the applicant’s schooling and two-year experience. The post-doctoral supervised work should be in line with the description provided in the Statement, and the applicant’s license, and practice, is limited to the description in this statement. All applicants considering how to become a psychologist in Arkansas should be aware that they must sign up for, take, and pass, the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology) exam as a final step.
License applicants complete the EPPP exam, the final, mandatory requirement for licensing, on the computer at a Prometric Testing Center. The EPPP is available to take four times a year; with the results reported directly to the licensing board. If they fail, applicants must wait sixty days before taking the EPPP again.
