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Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors of Alaska’s economy and there is ample employment opportunity for psychologists in the state. Moreover, with Alaska’s urban population seeing steady growth, the demand for psychology professionals is slated to increase in the coming years. There are three universities that currently offer psychology degrees in Alaska. Each school takes pride in serving its communities through volunteer and student club opportunities.

Prospective students can find schools that offer some of the best psychology schools and programs in Alaska with the easy to use search tool below.

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Students who eventually wish to practice psychology in the state of Alaska will have to adhere to strict licensing requirements and must hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. After a degree is awarded, the candidate must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist and pass certain examinations before a license is issued.

Alaska’s Psychologist Licensing

Licensed psychologists in Alaska are permitted to do the following:

  • Receive payment for rendering psychological treatment to individuals, groups, and the public
  • Provide diagnosis and treatment for mental and emotional disorders
  • Conduct research on human behavior, including learning, motivation, and interpersonal relationships

Alaska’s Licensing Authority

The Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners is tasked with carrying out laws governing the practice of psychology in Alaska. The Board also makes final licensing decisions and prescribes disciplinary actions against license law violators.

Psychologist licensure candidates in Alaska must have completed the following steps:

Completed a doctoral program at a regionally accredited university. The program must include three years of full-time study, one of which is done in residency

Applied for a temporary license and submitted a supervision plan to the Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners

Completed at least 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience

Other Licensing Criteria

  • The application to the Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners requires five reference letters. One must be from the applicant’s board committee membership (preferably the chairperson) and at least two must be from licensed psychologists, board-certified psychologists, or APA members. Applicants must also include transcripts from their undergraduate and graduate studies.

  • There are a number of fees that must be paid for the examination and licensing: a $75 application fee, $100 credential review fee; $50 Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) fee, $600 Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) fee, $150 temporary licensing fee, and a $775 permanent license fee (submitted only after the licensing requirements have been met).

  • Half or more of the 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience must have be in direct service, and half of those hours must be patient facing. At least 80% of the experience must be done under the supervision of a psychologist

Alaska’s Psychology Licensing Exams

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the State Law and Ethics Examination are required exams for licensed psychologists in Alaska.

Alaska’s Recognized Psychology Specializations

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Counseling Psychology
  • Other specialties deemed equivalent by the Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners.
Note: There is a separate credentialing process for school psychologists.

Specialization Requirements

  • Candidate must meet all other licensure requirements

License Renewal

  • Psychologists in Alaska are required to renew their license biennially. Renewal requirements depend on the holder’s license number and the current renewal cycle. Some license holders will be required to complete 40 hours of continuing competency, others 20 hours, and some are not required to provide evidence of continuing education that renewal period.
Alaska Licensure Resources

Alaska’s Salary and Employment Trends for Psychologists

Growth and Employment Rate for Psychologists in Alaska vs Nationwide

Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologists Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide 11%

Alaska 13.1%

Psychologists, Other Growth 2012-2022

Nationwide 11%

Alaska -9.1%

Number psychologists employed 2014 (all types)

Nationwide 115,810

Alaska 350

Earnings for Psychologists in Alaska vs Nationwide

Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologists   Psychologist , Other

Nationwide

 Median Wage Annually

$68,900

  

$92,110

Alaska

 Median Wage Annually

$66,420

  

N/A

Alaska

 Median Wage Hourly

$31.93

  

N/A

Alaska

 Lowest 10% yearly wage

$49,210

  

N/A

Alaska

 Highest 10% yearly wage

$92,730

  

N/A

To learn more about psychology schools, programs, licensure, salary and job growth in Alaska, please visit the following resources.

Alaska Psychology Resources