How to Fill Out the Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists Application + FAQs

The Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists Application Initiation Form is the document that every person who wants to be a licensed psychologist in Georgia must complete and submit to the Board before they can take the state exams and receive a license. You file it whether you are a fresh doctoral graduate, an out-of-state psychologist seeking endorsement, or someone who already passed the national exam and qualifies for the exam waiver path.

Getting this form right matters because the Board cross-checks every answer against your transcripts, your supervised-experience records, and a criminal background check, and one wrong or missing entry can stall your file for months. The Board issues a two-year renewable license, and licenses across Georgia expire on December 31 of each even-numbered year, so timing your application well protects both your start date and your renewal cycle. Here is what you will learn in this guide:

📋 What the Application Initiation Form is and exactly who must file it under Georgia law.
🗂️ Every document, transcript, and ID number you need to gather before you open the form.
✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of each section, with sample entries and the consequence of each mistake.
👥 Three full real-world examples that follow named applicants through the whole form.
❓ Twelve plain-answer FAQs, including the field-level questions filers ask most.

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

The Application Initiation Form is the front door to Georgia psychology licensure. It is the document the Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists uses to open your file, confirm you are eligible, and place you “under the jurisdiction” of the Board while it reviews your credentials. The Board operates within the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division, and it both processes applications and investigates complaints against licensed psychologists.

You must file this form if you want to practice psychology or use the title “psychologist” in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 43-39-17, a person may not practice psychology or use that title unless licensed under the Psychology Practice Act. The same chapter, at O.C.G.A. § 43-39-7, makes practicing without a license a violation, though it lets doctoral graduates work under a licensed psychologist’s supervision while they earn their required experience.

The form serves three licensure paths, and you pick one on the form itself. Licensure by Examination is for first-time candidates who have not yet passed the national exam. Licensure by Exam Waiver is for those who already passed the national exam and meet every other Georgia requirement. Licensure by Endorsement is for psychologists who hold a current, valid license in another state, as defined in Rule 510-3-.01.

Each path leads to the same psychologist license. The eligibility details differ, but the form, the background check, and the Board’s review process are shared across all three. That is why this single initiation form is the document nearly every Georgia psychologist files at the start of their career.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything before you open the form. The Board reviews your file as a package, and a missing item is the most common reason an application sits unprocessed. Below is your pre-filing checklist.

Official doctoral transcript. Your program must be APA- or CPA-accredited at the time your degree was conferred; without a sealed, school-sent transcript, the Board cannot verify your education and your file stops.
Proof of internship hours. Georgia requires a 2,000-hour internship, and missing documentation forces you to re-request records from your training site.
Postdoctoral supervised work experience (SWE) records. You need 1,500 hours, with at least 500 in direct client contact, logged by supervisor and date; gaps here trigger Board questions.
Government-issued photo ID. The Board and the fingerprint vendor both confirm your identity, and a name mismatch delays your background check.
Social Security number. It is used for identity matching and the background check, and an error sends your file into manual review.
Current mailing and email address. The Board sends approval notices and exam instructions here, so an old address means you miss deadlines.
Out-of-state license details (endorsement only). You need your license number, issue date, and state, because the Board verifies your standing directly.
EPPP score record (exam waiver and endorsement). Proof you passed the national exam lets you skip retaking it, and without it the Board treats you as an examination applicant.
Payment method for fees. You need the application fee plus funds for the background check and later exam fees; an unpaid fee voids the submission.
Disclosure documents. If you have any past discipline, malpractice claim, or criminal history, gather the explanation letters and certified records now, because “Yes” answers require attachments.

Having all ten items ready means you can complete the form in one sitting and avoid the back-and-forth that adds weeks to processing.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official Application Initiation Form lives on the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards site under the Board of Examiners of Psychologists page. You download the current PDF form and the Board’s “How-to Guide” from that page, and you should always pull the version posted there rather than a copy a friend or program shared, because the Board updates the form and its instructions periodically. Confirm you have the current revision before you start, since an outdated form can use retired field labels.

You can access the page from any computer or phone with a browser. The Board does not charge to download the form, and the How-to Guide walks through the same steps this article covers. If you cannot reach the page or have trouble downloading, you can contact the Board directly.

The Board’s office is at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217, and you can reach the Board by phone at (478) 207-2440 or by fax at 866-888-7127. Keep this contact information handy, because you may need to ask which form version applies to your path or how to fix a submission error.

After you submit the initiation form and fee, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) notifies you to register for its Psychology Licensure Universal System (PLUS) program. PLUS is where you upload the detailed credential records the Board uses to confirm you meet the education and experience rules in Chapter 510-2. So the initiation form opens the door, and PLUS carries the rest of your evidence.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Application Initiation Form Line by Line

Work through the form in the order the fields appear. Use all capital letters where the form asks for it, write dates as MM/DD/YYYY, and never leave a required field blank. Below, each field gets its own walkthrough.

Field 1: Licensure Path Selection

This field asks which of the three routes you are applying under: Examination, Exam Waiver, or Endorsement. You check or select the one box that matches your situation, and you select only one. For example, Dr. Lena Okafor, a fresh PhD graduate who has not taken the national exam, selects Examination.

A common edge case is the candidate who already passed the EPPP during a postdoc but has never been licensed anywhere; that person selects Exam Waiver, not Examination. A frequent mistake here is an out-of-state psychologist choosing Examination instead of Endorsement, which routes the file down the wrong track and forces a restart. The misconception to drop is that “Exam Waiver” waives all exams; it only waives the national EPPP, and you still take Georgia’s jurisprudence and oral exams.

Field 2: Full Legal Name

This field asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your government ID and your transcripts. Enter your last, first, and middle name exactly as printed on your Social Security card, because the Board cross-checks your name against your transcripts and the background check. For example, Marcus J. Delgado writes DELGADO, MARCUS, JAMES.

If your name changed since your degree was conferred, list your current legal name and attach proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. A common mistake is using a nickname or shortened name, which creates a mismatch that puts a hold on your background check. The misconception is that small differences “won’t matter,” but identity matching is exact, and a mismatch sends your file to manual review.

Field 3: Contact Information

This field asks for your current mailing address, email, and phone number. Write the full address with no abbreviations the Board cannot read, and use an email you check daily, because exam instructions and approval notices arrive here. For example, Lena Okafor enters 1420 PEACHTREE ST NE, APT 5B, ATLANTA, GA 30309.

If you have a P.O. Box, list it as the mailing address but still provide a physical address if the form requests one separately. A common mistake is listing a university address you are about to leave, which means you miss time-sensitive notices after graduation. The misconception is that the Board will track you down through other channels; it relies on the contact details you provide, so keep them current.

Field 4: Social Security Number and Date of Birth

This field asks for your Social Security number and date of birth for identity verification and the background check. Enter the nine-digit SSN with no errors and write your birth date as MM/DD/YYYY. For example, Marcus Delgado writes his date of birth as 07/22/1991.

If you are a lawful permanent resident without a typical work history in the U.S., you still provide your SSN and complete the citizenship affidavit described in Field 8. A common mistake is transposing two digits of the SSN, which breaks the identity match and stalls the background check. The misconception is that the Board can “look up” the right number; it cannot, and a wrong digit means delay.

Field 5: Education and Doctoral Degree

This field asks for your doctoral degree, granting institution, program, and conferral date. Enter the school name, the degree (PhD or PsyD), your specialty area, and the exact date your degree was conferred, because the Board confirms your program was APA-accredited at that time. For example, Lena Okafor enters PHD, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, EMORY UNIVERSITY, 05/12/2025.

If your program was industrial/organizational, you follow a separate approval path and note the National Register or ASPPB designation rather than APA accreditation. A common mistake is entering your graduation ceremony date instead of the conferral date on your transcript, which creates a conflict the Board must resolve. The misconception is that a master’s degree counts; Georgia does not license psychologists at the master’s level.

Field 6: Internship and Supervised Experience

This field asks you to document your internship and postdoctoral supervised work experience. Enter your internship site, hours, and dates, then your SWE hours, supervisor, and dates, because Georgia requires a 2,000-hour internship and 1,500 postdoctoral hours with at least 500 in direct client contact. For example, Marcus Delgado lists APPIC INTERNSHIP, GRADY HEALTH, 2,000 HOURS, 08/2022-08/2023.

If your internship was not APA-accredited, the Board reviews whether it met the equivalent criteria in Rule 510-2-.05, so attach detailed records. A common mistake is under-logging direct client hours within the SWE, which drops you below the 500-hour floor and delays approval. The misconception is that doctoral practicum hours can fill the postdoc requirement; they cannot, and the SWE must be earned after the degree.

Field 7: Examination History

This field asks whether you have passed the national EPPP and any state psychology exams. Enter your EPPP status and score-report details if you have them, because this determines whether you file under Examination or Exam Waiver. For example, Priya Raman, an endorsement applicant, enters EPPP PASSED, 2019, SCORE TRANSFERRED VIA ASPPB.

If you took the EPPP years ago in another state, request that ASPPB transfer your score to Georgia so the Board can verify it directly. A common mistake is claiming a passing EPPP without arranging the score transfer, which leaves the Board unable to confirm it. The misconception is that passing the EPPP elsewhere automatically licenses you in Georgia; you still complete the jurisprudence and oral exams.

Field 8: Citizenship and Legal Residency Affidavit

This field asks you to affirm you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful resident and at least 18 years old. Read the affidavit, check the correct status, and prepare to have it notarized, because Georgia requires this sworn statement on every application. For example, Lena Okafor checks U.S. CITIZEN and signs before a notary.

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you check the non-citizen option and attach a copy of your immigration document as the form directs. A common mistake is skipping the notarization, which makes the affidavit invalid and the application incomplete. The misconception is that this section is a formality; a false statement here can be grounds for denial under the Board’s review authority.

Field 9: Background Disclosure Questions

This field asks a series of yes/no questions about prior licensure denials, discipline, malpractice claims, substance issues, and criminal history. Answer each one honestly, and for every “Yes,” attach a signed explanation and certified records, because the Board may deny licensure for past discipline or anything questioning your competency. For example, Marcus Delgado answers NO to all questions and moves on.

If you have an old, expunged matter, disclose it anyway and explain the disposition, because non-disclosure is treated more harshly than the underlying issue. A common mistake is answering “No” to avoid explaining a minor event, which the background check then reveals and reads as dishonesty. The misconception is that sealed or out-of-state records won’t surface; the Board’s check and PLUS verification are thorough.

Field 10: Signature and Notarized Statement

This field asks you to sign a statement affirming that everything in the application is true and that you meet the eligibility requirements. Sign and date it in front of a notary, because the Board treats this as a sworn certification of your entire file. For example, Priya Raman signs PRIYA RAMAN and dates it 03/04/2026 before a notary.

If you complete the form digitally, follow the Board’s instructions for whether an electronic or wet signature is accepted, and notarize as required. A common mistake is signing without a notary stamp, which voids the certification and returns your application. The misconception is that the signature is routine; it is the legal anchor of the whole application, and an unsigned form is never processed.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

These three named applicants show how the form looks for the most common situations. Each follows one path from start to finish.

Scenario 1: Dr. Lena Okafor, a fresh PhD graduate filing by Examination.

Form Section	What Lena Enters
Licensure Path	Examination
Full Legal Name	OKAFOR, LENA, MARIE
Contact Information	1420 PEACHTREE ST NE, APT 5B, ATLANTA, GA 30309
SSN / Date of Birth	(SSN provided) / 09/30/1996
Education	PHD, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, EMORY UNIVERSITY, 05/12/2025
Internship / SWE	2,000-HOUR APA INTERNSHIP; SWE IN PROGRESS
Examination History	EPPP NOT YET TAKEN
Citizenship Affidavit	U.S. CITIZEN, NOTARIZED
Signature	LENA OKAFOR, 02/15/2026, NOTARIZED

Scenario 2: Dr. Marcus Delgado, exam waiver applicant who already passed the EPPP.

Form Section	What Marcus Enters
Licensure Path	Exam Waiver
Full Legal Name	DELGADO, MARCUS, JAMES
Contact Information	88 RIVER RD, SAVANNAH, GA 31401
SSN / Date of Birth	(SSN provided) / 07/22/1991
Education	PSYD, COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, MERCER UNIVERSITY, 05/2020
Internship / SWE	2,000-HOUR APPIC INTERNSHIP; 1,500 SWE HOURS COMPLETE
Examination History	EPPP PASSED 2021, SCORE TRANSFERRED
Background Disclosures	NO TO ALL
Signature	MARCUS DELGADO, 03/01/2026, NOTARIZED

Scenario 3: Dr. Priya Raman, an out-of-state psychologist filing by Endorsement.

Form Section	What Priya Enters
Licensure Path	Endorsement
Full Legal Name	RAMAN, PRIYA, (NO MIDDLE NAME)
Out-of-State License	FLORIDA LICENSE #PY1234, ISSUED 2019, ACTIVE
SSN / Date of Birth	(SSN provided) / 11/08/1985
Education	PHD, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, 05/2018
Internship / SWE	2,000-HOUR INTERNSHIP; 1,500 SWE HOURS COMPLETE
Examination History	EPPP PASSED 2019, SCORE TRANSFERRED VIA ASPPB
Citizenship Affidavit	U.S. CITIZEN, NOTARIZED
Signature	PRIYA RAMAN, 03/04/2026, NOTARIZED

How to File the Completed Form

Georgia routes psychology licensure through the Board’s PDF initiation form plus the ASPPB PLUS system, so you have a paper-and-portal process rather than a single online form. Below is each channel and what to keep.

For the initiation form by mail, send the completed, notarized form with your fee to the Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. Make the fee payable to the Georgia Board; an applicant for licensure by examination sends a $100 fee with the application, and testing fees come later. Pay by the method the form lists, send by trackable mail, and keep a copy of the full packet plus your mailing receipt as proof of filing.

For the background check, complete the fingerprint registration the Board requires, which feeds the criminal background check under O.C.G.A. §§ 43-39-6 and 43-39-8. You pay the vendor’s fingerprint fee directly, and you keep your registration confirmation as proof.

For the PLUS credential file, register with ASPPB after the Board notifies you, then upload your transcripts and experience records and pay the PLUS service fee online. For the exams, you register and pay separately: the EPPP runs through ASPPB’s vendor, and candidates should be ready to budget roughly $600 for EPPP registration, with Georgia’s jurisprudence and oral exams scheduled through the Board. Processing varies, so keep every receipt and confirmation until your license is issued.

What Happens After You File

After the Board receives your initiation form and fee, it opens your file and places you under its jurisdiction while it reviews your application. You then register with ASPPB’s PLUS program, which the Board uses to verify you meet the education and experience rules in Chapter 510-2. This verification step is where most timing variation happens, because the Board waits on transcripts, experience records, and your background check.

Once your credentials check out, the Board approves you to sit for the exams that remain on your path. Examination applicants take the EPPP, the Georgia Jurisprudence Examination, and the oral exam, while exam waiver and endorsement applicants who already passed the EPPP take only the jurisprudence and oral exams. You take these in the order the Board directs.

You must complete all licensure requirements within one year of the Board’s approval of your most recent application or your SWE completion, or you reapply and pay a new fee. When you pass the required exams and the Board confirms every requirement, it issues your two-year renewable psychologist license. Because Georgia licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years, your first renewal date depends on when in the cycle you are licensed.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each error below has a direct cost, so review your file against this list before you submit.

Selecting the wrong licensure path sends your file down the wrong track and forces a restart.
Using a nickname instead of your legal name triggers a background-check hold.
Transposing digits in your SSN breaks identity matching and stalls the file.
Entering your ceremony date instead of the degree conferral date creates a transcript conflict.
Claiming a passed EPPP without transferring the score leaves the Board unable to verify it.
Under-logging direct client hours drops your SWE below the 500-hour floor and delays approval.
Skipping the notarization on the affidavit or signature makes the application incomplete.
Answering “No” to a disclosure question that the background check later confirms reads as dishonesty.
Listing a soon-to-expire university address means you miss exam and approval notices.
Forgetting to request transcripts sent directly from your school leaves your education unverified.
Sending the wrong fee amount voids the submission until you correct it.
Missing the one-year completion window after approval forces you to reapply and pay again.

Do’s and Don’ts

These quick rules keep your application clean and moving.

Do download the current form straight from the Board’s site, because outdated versions use retired field labels.
Do gather every document before you start, because the Board reviews your file as a single package.
Do write your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, because identity matching is exact.
Do request official transcripts sent directly to the Board, because self-sent copies are not accepted.
Do disclose every past issue honestly, because non-disclosure is treated more harshly than the event.
Do keep copies and receipts of everything, because they are your proof of filing.
Don’t assume “Exam Waiver” waives all exams, because you still take the jurisprudence and oral exams.
Don’t leave any required field blank, because an incomplete form is not processed.
Don’t sign without a notary, because the certification is void without the stamp.
Don’t use a master’s degree to qualify, because Georgia licenses only at the doctoral level.
Don’t count practicum hours as postdoctoral SWE, because the SWE must come after your degree.
Don’t let your contact information go stale, because you will miss time-sensitive notices.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

You can file the application yourself or work with a mentor, attorney, or licensing service. Here is how the two compare.

Pros of filing on your own:

You save money, because you avoid service or attorney fees.
You learn the rules firsthand, which helps at renewal time.
You control your own timeline and submit when your documents are ready.
You keep your records private, sharing them only with the Board.
You build direct familiarity with the Board’s process for future filings.

Cons of filing on your own:

You carry the full risk of an error that delays your file.
You must interpret the Chapter 510 rules without guidance.
You handle the transcript, PLUS, and background-check coordination alone.
You may miss the one-year completion window without a reminder system.
You have no second reviewer to catch a disclosure or formatting mistake.

Filing on Your Own	Filing With Professional Help
Lower cost, no service fees	Higher cost, but expert review
You interpret the rules yourself	A professional interprets them for you
Full responsibility for errors	Shared review reduces error risk
Best for straightforward files	Best for discipline or complex histories

FAQs

Do I need a doctoral degree to apply?

Yes. Georgia licenses psychologists only at the doctoral level from an APA- or CPA-accredited program. A master’s degree does not qualify you to apply or to use the title “psychologist.”

Does “Exam Waiver” mean I skip all exams?

No. It waives only the national EPPP because you already passed it. You still take Georgia’s Jurisprudence Examination and the oral examination before the Board.

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the name field?

No ambiguity is allowed. Use your current legal name as it appears on your Social Security card, and attach proof of any name change so records match.

Should I list my graduation ceremony date as my conferral date?

No. Enter the exact conferral date printed on your official transcript. The ceremony date can differ and creates a conflict the Board must resolve before processing.

Do practicum hours count toward my postdoctoral experience?

No. Your 1,500 supervised work experience hours must be earned after your degree is conferred. Doctoral practicum hours do not fill the postdoctoral requirement.

Do I need to disclose an old, expunged criminal matter?

Yes. Disclose it and explain the disposition. Non-disclosure is treated more harshly than the underlying issue, and the background check often reveals it anyway.

Can I apply by endorsement if I’m licensed in another state?

Yes. Select Endorsement and provide your out-of-state license number, issue date, and state. The Board verifies your current standing directly with that state.

Do I have to get the application notarized?

Yes. The citizenship affidavit and the final signature statement must be notarized. Without the notary stamp, the certification is void and the form is incomplete.

Does passing the EPPP in another state license me in Georgia?

No. You still complete Georgia’s jurisprudence and oral exams and meet all education and experience rules before the Board issues a license.

Do I send my own transcripts to the Board?

No. Official transcripts must be sent directly from your school to the Board. Copies you mail yourself are not accepted for verification.

Is there a deadline to finish after the Board approves me?

Yes. You must complete all licensure requirements within one year of the Board’s approval or your SWE completion, or you reapply and pay a new fee.

Do Georgia psychology licenses expire on a set date?

Yes. Licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. You renew online and must complete at least 40 continuing professional education credits each two-year cycle.

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