Transfer Your Psychology License to Alabama: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology ↗
Alabama licenses out-of-state psychologists by endorsement rather than by any automatic exchange. The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology reviews your credentials and accepts your existing EPPP passing score; budget $400 ($400 nonrefundable application processing fee payable to the Board; separately + $38.25 payable to ALEA for the state/federal criminal history check and + $50 PSE fee due when sitting for the exam) and 13–17 weeks (Board states the process for previously licensed applicants 'generally takes three (3) to four (4) months from the time the application is received'; files are reviewed only at regular Board meetings, generally the second Friday of odd-numbered months, and must be complete by the first day of an odd-numbered month) for processing. Alabama participates in PSYPACT, but that only covers telepsychology and up to 30 days a year of temporary in-person work — it does not license you in Alabama, and a move here still runs through endorsement.
Moving to Alabama from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
PSYPACT member — multistate license honored
Be precise about what you are actually trying to do in Alabama, because the two mechanisms answer different questions. If you are staying licensed and resident elsewhere and want to see Alabama clients by telehealth, Alabama's PSYPACT participation is the relevant route and you never touch the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology — you work through ASPPB and the commission instead. If you are moving to Alabama, or want an unrestricted Alabama license for any other reason, the compact contributes nothing at all and the endorsement steps below are your path.
Endorsement, emphatically not reciprocity. The Board states in writing that 'Alabama does not have reciprocal agreements with any other state/jurisdiction at this time' and that subparagraph (7) of Ala. Code § 34-26-41(c) is not yet operative; out-of-state licensees are processed under Rule 750-X-2-.08, 'Licensure of Applicants Licensed To Practice Psychology In Another Jurisdiction'. That rule has fast tracks: the Board shall issue a license to an applicant licensed at the independent level in at least two states who passed a recognized national exam at Alabama's cut score (and such applicants are exempt from the PSE), and separately to CPQ holders and to ABPP diplomates, who still take the PSE. Alabama is a PSYPACT participating state, so a psychologist licensed in another PSYPACT state can already practice telepsychology into Alabama (APIT) or temporarily in person (TAP, 30 days/yr) without this license — but a permanent Alabama license still requires this application.
Alabama requirements at a glance
| Exam | EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) if it meets Alabama's current cut score — an applicant must retake the EPPP only if the score is below Alabama's cut-off or if the applicant was licensed through an EPPP waiver and is not an ABPP diplomate; every admitted candidate must also pass the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE) on Alabama license law and the APA ethics code, except applicants exempt under Rule 750-X-2-.08(2) |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $400 ($400 nonrefundable application processing fee payable to the Board; separately + $38.25 payable to ALEA for the state/federal criminal history check and + $50 PSE fee due when sitting for the exam) |
| Processing time | 13–17 weeks (Board states the process for previously licensed applicants 'generally takes three (3) to four (4) months from the time the application is received'; files are reviewed only at regular Board meetings, generally the second Friday of odd-numbered months, and must be complete by the first day of an odd-numbered month) |
Step by step
- Confirm Alabama's current requirements on the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active independent-level psychologist license in another jurisdiction and have a Verification of Licensure Form sent directly to the Board by every jurisdiction where a license is or was held.
- Meet Alabama's own doctoral education and internship standards (Rules 750-X-2-.04 and 750-X-2-.07) — previous licensure does not waive them.
- Pass the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE), unless licensed at the independent level in at least two states with a passing national exam score (Rule 750-X-2-.08(2)).
- Submit two fingerprint cards and a criminal history release for an ALEA and FBI background check.
- Provide four positive references, at least three from doctoral-level licensed or certified psychologists.
- Pay the fees ($400 ($400 nonrefundable application processing fee payable to the Board; separately + $38.25 payable to ALEA for the state/federal criminal history check and + $50 PSE fee due when sitting for the exam)) and allow 13–17 weeks (Board states the process for previously licensed applicants 'generally takes three (3) to four (4) months from the time the application is received'; files are reviewed only at regular Board meetings, generally the second Friday of odd-numbered months, and must be complete by the first day of an odd-numbered month).
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Alabama:
All 42 origin states
Frequently asked questions
Does my psychology license transfer to Alabama?
Alabama licenses out-of-state psychologists by endorsement rather than by any automatic exchange. The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology reviews your credentials and accepts your existing EPPP passing score; budget $400 ($400 nonrefundable application processing fee payable to the Board; separately + $38.25 payable to ALEA for the state/federal criminal history check and + $50 PSE fee due when sitting for the exam) and 13–17 weeks (Board states the process for previously licensed applicants 'generally takes three (3) to four (4) months from the time the application is received'; files are reviewed only at regular Board meetings, generally the second Friday of odd-numbered months, and must be complete by the first day of an odd-numbered month) for processing. Alabama participates in PSYPACT, but that only covers telepsychology and up to 30 days a year of temporary in-person work — it does not license you in Alabama, and a move here still runs through endorsement.
Do I have to retake the EPPP to get licensed in Alabama?
No. EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) if it meets Alabama's current cut score — an applicant must retake the EPPP only if the score is below Alabama's cut-off or if the applicant was licensed through an EPPP waiver and is not an ABPP diplomate; every admitted candidate must also pass the Alabama Professional Standards Examination (PSE) on Alabama license law and the APA ethics code, except applicants exempt under Rule 750-X-2-.08(2).
How much does it cost to get a Alabama psychology license by endorsement?
$400 ($400 nonrefundable application processing fee payable to the Board; separately + $38.25 payable to ALEA for the state/federal criminal history check and + $50 PSE fee due when sitting for the exam) ($400 nonrefundable application processing fee payable to the Board; separately + $38.25 payable to ALEA for the state/federal criminal history check and + $50 PSE fee due when sitting for the exam).
How long does Alabama take to process an endorsement application?
13–17 weeks (Board states the process for previously licensed applicants 'generally takes three (3) to four (4) months from the time the application is received'; files are reviewed only at regular Board meetings, generally the second Friday of odd-numbered months, and must be complete by the first day of an odd-numbered month) — Board states the process for previously licensed applicants 'generally takes three (3) to four (4) months from the time the application is received'; files are reviewed only at regular Board meetings, generally the second Friday of odd-numbered months, and must be complete by the first day of an odd-numbered month.
Is Alabama a PSYPACT state?
Yes — Alabama was participating as of 2026-08-07. That lets a psychologist licensed in another participating state provide telepsychology to Alabama clients under an APIT authorization, and work in person in Alabama for up to 30 days a year under a TAP. It does not license you in Alabama: relocating still requires endorsement through the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology.
Can I practice in Alabama using PSYPACT instead of getting licensed?
Only within the compact's limits, and only if you are not moving. Telepsychology into Alabama is covered by APIT; in-person work is capped at 30 days per calendar year under a TAP. Beyond that — and for any relocation to Alabama — you need a Alabama license by endorsement.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology — Information for Psychologist Applicants (previous licensure, reciprocity statement, PSE, fees, 3-4 month timeline, Rule 750-X-2-.08) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology — Fees ($400 psychologist application) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PSYPACT — PSYPACT Map/States (Alabama participating) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]