The Virginia Clinical Psychologist license application is the form you submit through the Virginia Department of Health Professions online portal to become a licensed psychologist in the state. It is reviewed by the Virginia Board of Psychology, and you file it under one of two methods: by Examination if you are a new doctoral graduate, or by Endorsement if you already hold an active psychologist license in another state.
This guide walks you through both pathways line by line. The Board reviews complete applications within 30 days of receiving them, but incomplete files can sit for up to a full year before they are destroyed, so getting every box right the first time saves you months. The good news is that the form is far less scary than it looks once you know what each field wants and why the Board asks for it.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 How to read the Board’s checklist and gather every document before you open the online portal
- ✍️ Exactly what to enter in each field, with named examples showing the right answers
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that trigger holds and delays, and how to dodge them
- 💵 The current $200 fee, the EPPP exam rules, and where your money actually goes
- ❓ Twelve plain-English FAQs covering the questions filers ask most
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Virginia Clinical Psychologist license application is the legal request you make to the Board of Psychology asking it to confirm you are qualified to practice psychology on your own in Virginia. A Licensed Clinical Psychologist, as the Board defines the role, is a psychologist who is professionally qualified at the autonomous practice level to provide testing, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. The license is what lets you bill insurance, sign reports, and supervise others without anyone watching over your shoulder.
You must file this form if you intend to practice clinical psychology in Virginia and you do not yet hold a Virginia license. New graduates file the Application for Licensure by Examination, revision date 04/2025. Psychologists already licensed in another U.S. state or Canada file the Application for Licensure by Endorsement, revision date 08/2024. The two forms share most fields but differ in the documents they demand.
The authority behind the form comes from the Code of Virginia Title 54.1, Chapter 36, which makes it illegal to practice psychology in Virginia without a license. The detailed rules live in the Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology, 18VAC125-20. Under § 54.1-3601, a person who has not passed the exam or earned the license cannot provide clinical psychology services unless they work as a Board-approved Resident in Clinical Psychology or in an exempt setting. The penalty for ignoring this is steep: practicing without a license is unlawful and can block your future application.
Three players interact around this form. The Board of Psychology receives and approves it. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) owns the national exam and sends your scores. The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) supplies the self-query report that shows whether you have any malpractice or disciplinary history.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
The single biggest cause of delay is starting the online application before your documents are ready. Once you pay the fee, the portal locks and you can no longer upload files, so anything missing must be emailed in later, which slows everything down. Gather these items first so you can upload them in one clean pass.
- Official doctoral transcript sent directly from your school, because the Board must confirm you hold a doctorate in clinical, counseling, or school psychology with a conferred date; a photocopy is rejected outright.
- Internship Verification form signed by your Director of Internship Training, because without it the Board cannot confirm you finished an approved internship and your file stalls.
- Verification of Pre-Doctoral Supervised Practicum Hours form completed by your Director of Clinical Training, because this proves your practicum met the residency hour rule.
- NPDB self-query report generated within the last 30 days, because an older report is rejected and you must order a new one, losing time.
- EPPP Part 1 (Knowledge) passing score transferred from ASPPB, because the Board will not issue a license without proof you passed the national exam.
- Out-of-state license verification for any health license you hold, because undisclosed licenses are treated as omissions and can trigger a falsification review.
- Your Social Security number or Virginia DMV control number, because § 54.1-116 requires it and processing stops without it.
- Name-change documents such as a marriage certificate or court order, because a mismatch between your transcript name and your application name freezes verification.
- Payment method for the $200 fee, because your application is not submitted until the fee clears.
For the endorsement pathway, also gather proof of an equivalent active license, such as a National Register credential, an American Board of Professional Psychology diplomate, an ASPPB Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ), or evidence of 5 years of active licensure with at least 24 months of practice in the last 60 months.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Virginia no longer uses a paper form you mail in. The entire application lives inside the DHP Online Licensing Portal, and the PDF “applications” you find on the Board site are really instruction-and-checklist packets, not the form itself. You read the checklist, gather your documents, then enter your answers directly into the web portal.
To reach the form, go to the Applications and Forms page and download the instruction packet that matches your pathway. Then create an account or log in at the licensing portal. Inside the portal you select the license type “Clinical Psychologist” and then choose your “Obtained by Method” as either “Examination” or “Endorsement.”
Before you type a single answer, the Board strongly recommends you read the Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology and the Clinical Psychology Licensure Process Handbook, both linked from the Clinical Psychology applicant page. These two documents explain the rules behind every field. If you have questions, the Board answers email at psy@dhp.virginia.gov and the phone line at (804) 367-4697.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Clinical Psychologist Application Line by Line
The portal groups your answers into sections. Below, each section gets its own walkthrough so you know what it asks, how to answer, and what goes wrong if you slip.
Step 1: License Type and Method
What it asks in plain English. This first screen asks which license you want and how you qualify for it.
How to answer it. Choose Clinical Psychologist from the license-type menu, then pick Examination or Endorsement as your method. New graduates pick Examination; already-licensed psychologists from other states pick Endorsement.
Example entry. Dr. Priya Nair, who just finished her PhD at the University of Virginia, selects Clinical Psychologist and Examination.
Nuance or edge case. If you have never been licensed anywhere but want to see clients while you study for the exam, you may also need to file an Initial Registration of Residency at the same time, per the Board’s application decision table.
Common mistake and consequence. Picking Endorsement when you have never held a license sends your file into the wrong review track and the Board rejects it, forcing you to start over.
Misconception. Many people think Endorsement is the faster route for everyone, but it only applies if you already hold an active, unrestricted equivalent license in another jurisdiction.
Step 2: Personal Identifying Information
What it asks in plain English. This section asks for your legal name, date of birth, and contact details.
How to answer it. Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your doctoral transcript and your other documents. Type your date of birth in the format the portal shows, usually MM/DD/YYYY.
Example entry. Priya enters her name as Priya Anjali Nair and her birth date as 07/22/1994.
Nuance or edge case. If your transcript shows a maiden name and you now use a married name, you must also upload your marriage certificate so the Board can connect the two names.
Common mistake and consequence. Entering a nickname or dropping a middle name that appears on your transcript creates a name mismatch, and the Board places a hold until you prove the names belong to the same person.
Misconception. People assume small spelling differences are harmless, but the Board cross-checks names against transcripts and exam scores, so any difference can stall the file.
Step 3: Social Security or DMV Control Number
What it asks in plain English. This field asks for your Social Security number or your Virginia DMV control number.
How to answer it. Type the nine-digit number with no spaces or dashes if the portal asks for it that way. You must provide one of the two; there is no skip option.
Example entry. Marcus Bell, applying by endorsement from Maryland, enters his Social Security number in the secure field.
Nuance or edge case. If you do not have a Social Security number, you may use the control number issued by the Virginia DMV instead.
Common mistake and consequence. Leaving this blank suspends your application under § 54.1-116, and your fee is not refunded while it sits frozen.
Misconception. Some filers fear this number becomes public, but the Board uses it only for identification and child-support enforcement sharing, not public disclosure.
Step 4: Address of Record and Public Address
What it asks in plain English. This section asks where the Board should mail your official correspondence and which address can be shown to the public.
How to answer it. Enter your home or primary address as the Address of Record. If you do not want that address public, add a second address, such as your work address, in the public-address section.
Example entry. Priya lists her apartment as her Address of Record and her clinic, 1400 Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23220, as her public address.
Nuance or edge case. Under § 54.1-2400.02, the Address of Record is normally the public one, so add a second address if privacy matters to you.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers who want privacy but fill in only one address accidentally publish their home address in the public license lookup.
Misconception. People think the Board hides all addresses by default, but the law actually makes the Address of Record public unless you supply an alternate.
Step 5: Education and Transcript Section
What it asks in plain English. This section asks where you earned your doctorate and confirms the degree meets Virginia’s rules.
How to answer it. Enter your school name, degree, and conferred date, then arrange for your official transcript to be sent directly to the Board from your school through a service like eScript or Parchment.
Example entry. Priya lists University of Virginia, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, conferred 05/2025.
Nuance or edge case. If your program is not accredited by APA, CPA, or PCSAS, you must also file the Area of Graduate Study form plus each course syllabus so the Board can check your coursework under 18VAC125-20-54.
Common mistake and consequence. Uploading a photocopied transcript yourself instead of having the school send it directly means the Board will not accept it and your education stays unverified.
Misconception. Many assume any psychology doctorate qualifies, but only clinical, counseling, or school psychology degrees from accredited or equivalent programs count.
Step 6: Internship and Practicum Verification
What it asks in plain English. This part confirms you finished an approved internship and the supervised practicum hours your training required.
How to answer it. Have your Director of Internship Training complete the Internship Verification form and your Director of Clinical Training complete the Verification of Pre-Doctoral Supervised Practicum Hours form. Both are uploaded in the portal.
Example entry. Priya’s internship director confirms her APPIC-member internship, and her clinical training director verifies her practicum hours met the residency rule under 18VAC125-20-65.
Nuance or edge case. If you already submitted these forms when you registered a residency, you do not need to send them again.
Common mistake and consequence. Filling out the supervisor forms yourself instead of having the directors complete them voids the verification and the Board rejects the hours.
Misconception. Filers think an unaccredited internship is automatically disqualifying, but you can prove equivalency with an Internship Equivalency Questionnaire and a copy of your internship handbook.
Step 7: NPDB Self-Query Upload
What it asks in plain English. This field asks for proof from the national data bank showing your malpractice and disciplinary history.
How to answer it. Order a self-query from the NPDB website, wait for the report, and upload the PDF. The report must be dated no more than 30 days before you submit.
Example entry. Marcus orders his NPDB self-query on June 1 and submits his application on June 20, well inside the 30-day window.
Nuance or edge case. A clean report still must be submitted; you cannot skip this step just because you have no claims.
Common mistake and consequence. Uploading a report older than 30 days gets it rejected, and you must order and pay for a fresh one, adding a week or more.
Misconception. People believe the Board pulls this report for them, but you must request and pay for the self-query yourself.
Step 8: Examination Scores (EPPP Part 1)
What it asks in plain English. This section confirms you passed the national psychology knowledge exam.
How to answer it. Contact ASPPB and ask them to transfer your EPPP Part 1 (Knowledge) passing score directly to the Virginia Board.
Example entry. Priya logs into her ASPPB account and selects Virginia as the score recipient.
Nuance or edge case. If you have not yet passed the EPPP, you can still apply for approval to sit for the exam, but the license itself will not be issued until the passing score arrives.
Common mistake and consequence. Assuming your score transfers automatically leaves the Board with no exam record, and your license is held until ASPPB sends it.
Misconception. Some think a self-printed score sheet counts, but only an official ASPPB transfer is accepted.
Step 9: License Verification (For Endorsement and Prior Licenses)
What it asks in plain English. This section asks about every health or mental health license you have ever held anywhere.
How to answer it. For each license, submit a verification showing your name, license number, title, issue date, expiration date, and any disciplinary action. Print online verifications directly from the other state’s website or use the Board’s Out-of-State Licensure Verification form.
Example entry. Marcus prints his Maryland psychologist verification showing no disciplinary action and uploads it.
Nuance or edge case. This applies even to inactive or expired licenses, and even to licenses in other professions.
Common mistake and consequence. Forgetting an old, expired license counts as an omission, which the Board treats as possible falsification and can be grounds for denial.
Misconception. Filers assume expired licenses do not matter, but you must disclose every credential you have ever held.
Step 10: Screening Questions on Convictions and Impairments
What it asks in plain English. This section asks yes-or-no questions about criminal convictions, past board actions, and conditions that could impair practice.
How to answer it. Answer each question honestly. If you answer Yes to any, attach a detailed written explanation and supporting documents as described in Guidance Document 125-2.
Example entry. An applicant with an old misdemeanor checks Yes and uploads the court records plus a one-page explanation.
Nuance or edge case. Every Yes answer is reviewed case by case, so a disclosure does not automatically mean denial.
Common mistake and consequence. Hiding a conviction is far worse than disclosing it, because omission is falsification and can sink your entire application.
Misconception. People think a minor offense disqualifies them, but honest disclosure with context is usually manageable; concealment is the real risk.
Step 11: Attestation, Signature, and Fee Payment
What it asks in plain English. The final screen asks you to swear your answers are true and to pay the application fee.
How to answer it. Read the attestation, sign electronically, and pay the $200 fee inside the portal. Your application is not submitted until the fee clears.
Example entry. Priya e-signs and pays the $200 fee by credit card; the portal then locks her uploads.
Nuance or edge case. Fees are non-refundable, so confirm every document is uploaded before you pay, because payment closes the upload window.
Common mistake and consequence. Paying before uploading all documents forces you to email missing files later, which delays review past the normal 30-day window.
Misconception. Some think they can edit the form after paying, but payment finalizes the submission and freezes your uploads.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Priya, a New PhD Graduate Filing by Examination
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type and Method | Clinical Psychologist, Examination |
| Full Legal Name | Priya Anjali Nair |
| Date of Birth | 07/22/1994 |
| Education | University of Virginia, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, 05/2025 |
| Transcript Delivery | Sent by school via Parchment to psy@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Internship Verification | Completed by APPIC internship director |
| Practicum Hours | Verified by Director of Clinical Training |
| NPDB Self-Query | Dated within 30 days, clean report |
| EPPP Score | Transferred from ASPPB |
| Fee | $200 paid by credit card |
Scenario 2: Marcus, an Out-of-State Psychologist Filing by Endorsement
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type and Method | Clinical Psychologist, Endorsement |
| Full Legal Name | Marcus Allen Bell |
| Current License | Maryland Licensed Psychologist, active, no discipline |
| Equivalent Credential | Evidence of 5 years active, 24 months in last 60 |
| License Verification | Printed from Maryland board website |
| NPDB Self-Query | Dated within 30 days |
| Name Change | None |
| Convictions Questions | All answered No |
| Address of Record | Home address, with clinic as public address |
| Fee | $200 paid online |
Scenario 3: Aisha, a Graduate Filing a Residency Plus Examination
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Applications Filed | Initial Registration of Residency AND Examination |
| License Type and Method | Clinical Psychologist, Examination |
| Full Legal Name | Aisha Monique Carter |
| Education | Virginia Commonwealth University, Ph.D., 05/2026 |
| Practicum Hours | Partially complete, balance to be earned in residency |
| Residency Supervisor | Listed with Virginia license verification |
| Internship Verification | Completed by internship director |
| NPDB Self-Query | Dated within 30 days |
| EPPP Status | Applying for approval to sit for exam |
| Fee | $200 plus residency registration fee |
How to File the Completed Form
Virginia accepts the application through one primary channel, with email and mail used only for supporting documents that cannot be uploaded.
- Online portal (primary). Submit the full application and pay the $200 fee at the DHP Online Licensing Portal. Payment is by credit or debit card, processing runs within 30 days of a complete file, and your proof of filing is the confirmation screen and the portal checklist.
- Email (supporting documents only). Schools and agencies send transcripts and verifications to psy@dhp.virginia.gov. Keep the sent-confirmation as your proof.
- Mail (backup for documents). If a school cannot send electronically, official transcripts may be mailed to the Board at Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463. Keep a tracking receipt as proof.
- E-Fax (limited). The Board lists an e-fax line at (804) 767-3626 for documents; keep the fax confirmation.
After you pay, watch your online checklist, because it is your primary source for application status. As each document is received and reviewed, the checklist updates and an automated email follows about 24 hours later.
What Happens After You File
Once your fee clears, the Board begins its review. A complete, fully documented application that meets the rules is reviewed within 30 days, though the clock only runs once every required item is in. Your online checklist shows which pieces are still missing, so check it often rather than calling.
If something is missing, your application stays active for one year from the date you paid. After that year, the Library of Virginia records schedule allows the Board to destroy incomplete files, and you would have to reapply with a new form, a new fee, and fresh documents. This is why uploading everything before payment matters so much.
When the Board approves you, it issues your Clinical Psychologist license and you may begin autonomous practice. Until that approval, you may only provide clinical services as a Board-approved Resident in Clinical Psychology or in an exempt setting under § 54.1-3601.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Paying the fee before uploading all documents locks the portal and forces slow email follow-up.
- Uploading an NPDB self-query older than 30 days gets it rejected and delays review.
- Sending a photocopied transcript instead of one mailed directly from your school voids it.
- Using a nickname that does not match your transcript triggers a name-mismatch hold.
- Completing your supervisor verification forms yourself makes the Board reject your hours.
- Choosing Endorsement when you have never been licensed routes your file wrongly and wastes weeks.
- Leaving the Social Security or DMV number blank suspends the application with no refund.
- Forgetting to disclose an old or expired license is treated as falsification.
- Listing only one address when you wanted privacy publishes your home address.
- Assuming your EPPP score transfers on its own leaves the Board with no exam record.
- Hiding a past conviction instead of explaining it can lead to outright denial.
- Skipping the Area of Graduate Study form for a non-accredited degree stalls the education review.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Read the Regulations 18VAC125-20 before you start, so each field makes sense.
- Gather every document on the checklist first, because the portal locks after payment.
- Have schools and supervisors send forms directly, since the Board rejects self-supplied copies.
- Order your NPDB self-query close to your submission date to stay inside the 30-day window.
- Match your name across every document to avoid verification holds.
- Check your online checklist often, because it is the official status source.
Don’t:
- Don’t pay until every upload is finished, or you will be stuck emailing files later.
- Don’t omit any past license, because omission counts as falsification.
- Don’t practice clinical psychology before approval unless you are a registered Resident.
- Don’t mail photocopied transcripts, since only direct, official transcripts count.
- Don’t assume Endorsement is faster; it only fits already-licensed psychologists.
- Don’t ignore Board emails, because unanswered correspondence delays approval.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Saves money, since there is no consultant fee on top of the $200 | Costs more, because advisors or attorneys charge fees |
| Builds your own understanding of the rules for renewal later | Saves time, since a pro knows which documents the Board wants |
| Full control over your timeline and uploads | Lowers error risk on tricky items like non-accredited equivalency |
| No waiting on a third party to act | Helpful if you have a conviction or discipline history to explain |
| Works well for clean, accredited, straightforward files | Useful for complex endorsement files with old or foreign credentials |
Examination vs. Endorsement at a Glance
| Licensure by Examination | Licensure by Endorsement |
|---|---|
| For new graduates with no prior psychologist license | For psychologists already licensed in another U.S. state or Canada |
| Requires transcript, internship, and practicum verification | Requires proof of an equivalent active license or credential |
| Must pass the EPPP Part 1 through ASPPB | May qualify via National Register, ABPP diplomate, CPQ, or 5 years active |
| $200 application fee | $200 application fee |
| Instruction packet revision date 04/2025 | Instruction packet revision date 08/2024 |
FAQs
Do I have to apply through the online portal instead of mailing a paper form?
Yes. Virginia processes the application through the DHP online portal. Paper is used only for supporting documents like transcripts when a school cannot send them electronically.
Do I write my maiden name or my married name in the name field?
Yes, use your current legal name, but upload your marriage certificate so the Board can match it to your transcript if that shows a different name.
Do I need to submit my Social Security number?
Yes. Under § 54.1-116, you must provide your Social Security number or your Virginia DMV control number, or processing stops.
Do I have to send the NPDB self-query if I have no claims?
Yes. Every applicant must submit a self-query report dated within 30 days, even when it shows nothing.
Do I list expired or inactive licenses in the verification section?
Yes. You must disclose every health or mental health license you have ever held, current, inactive, or expired.
Do I complete the supervisor verification forms myself?
No. Your internship director, clinical training director, and supervisors must complete those forms; self-completed forms are rejected.
Do I need to pass the EPPP before I apply?
No. You can apply for approval to take the EPPP, but the Board will not issue your license until your passing score arrives from ASPPB.
Do I have to upload everything before paying the $200 fee?
Yes. Payment locks the portal, so any document not uploaded before payment must be emailed in and will delay review.
Do I get a refund if my application is incomplete?
No. The $200 fee is non-refundable, and incomplete files are destroyed after one year if not finished.
Do I qualify for Endorsement if I just got licensed last year in another state?
No, not through the 5-year route, but you may still qualify with a National Register credential, an ABPP diplomate, or an ASPPB CPQ.
Do I have to disclose an old misdemeanor on the screening questions?
Yes. Answer honestly and attach an explanation; hiding it is falsification and far more damaging than the offense itself.
Do I have to send a syllabus for every course if my program is accredited?
No. You only file the Area of Graduate Study form and syllabi if your degree is not from an APA, CPA, or PCSAS accredited program.
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