Become a Psychologist in North Dakota - ND

By allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 19 2010

For those interested in knowing how to become a psychologist in North Dakota, there are two separate methods and reasons of gaining licensure according to the National Association of School Psychologists.  If someone is a school psychologist in the grades from kindergarten through grade 12 and does not have a teaching license, that person can get a temporary, restricted teaching license from the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB).  Detailed information on teacher licensure will not be detailed here but can be found on the ESPB website.

It is worth noting for those interested in knowing how to become a psychologist in North Dakota that The State Board of Psychologist Examiners approves licenses for practicing psychologists in this state.  A practitioner of psychology in North Dakota cannot use the term “psychologist” unless they hold a license.  When applying for a license, an applicant must have certain prerequisites met:

• The person must hold to ethical standards of the American Psychological Association (APA)
• The applicant must have a doctorate degree that has the following criteria:
  • Is a program that is accredited, either by the APA or the Canadian Psychological Association
  • The program is a psychology program and named as such by the state and provincial licensing boards
  • The program is accredited as a doctoral program by an accrediting body that is board approved (by the ND state board)
• The applicant must have passed all necessary exams, of which there is a written exam and an oral exam
• Two years of experience, which have been supervised, must be complete.  One year an internship and one postdoctoral and comply with rules established by the board.

Applications can be sent to the following:

North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners
PO Box 661
Dickinson, ND 58602
Telephone: (701) 590-1754
Fax: (701) 225-6225
Email:  NDPSYExaminers@aol.com
Website:  www.ndsbpe.org

The application fee is $250 and there is an additional charge for the examination, which is the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) and this fee is $450.

North Dakota State Psychological Organizations
North Dakota has an organization for psychologists called the North Dakota Psychological Association. The organization monitors legislation regarding psychology and promotes awareness in the field.  They offer a fall conference and membership dues are on a sliding scale, depending on income.

ND Psychological Association
P.O. Box 7370
Bismarck, ND 58507-7370
Phone: (701) 223-9045
Email: bstaiger@ndpsych.org
Website:  www.ndpsych.org