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LicenseReciprocity

Psychology License from California to Massachusetts: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) ↗

A psychology license transfers from California to Massachusetts by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health), verify your California license, and meet Massachusetts's endorsement requirements. EPPP passing score transfers — 251 CMR 3.09 licenses by reciprocity a psychologist currently licensed or certified in another jurisdiction whose requirements are the substantial equivalent of M.G.L. c. 112 §119, rather than re-testing the national examination (Massachusetts' own passing standard is a scaled score of 500 or higher); 251 CMR 3.09(4) requires every reciprocity applicant to achieve a passing score on the Massachusetts psychology jurisprudence examination.

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

Neither California nor Massachusetts is a participating PSYPACT state, so the compact is irrelevant in both directions and this is a straightforward endorsement move. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) verifies your California license, reviews your doctoral degree and supervised experience, accepts your existing EPPP passing score rather than re-testing you, and applies its own jurisprudence and background requirements. Nothing about holding an California license speeds up or slows down Massachusetts's standard out-of-state process.

What changes, California → Massachusetts

Side-by-side: California vs Massachusetts (Psychology (licensed psychologist)), verified 2026-08-07
California (current)Massachusetts (destination)
PSYPACT statusLicensure by endorsementLicensure by endorsement
Application fee$236 ($236 psychologist initial application fee (2024 fee schedule, the current schedule published by the Board). Separately + $127 for the CPLEE application and + $231 for initial licensure; out-of-state fingerprint hard card processing is $233)$420 (Board fee table for the Psychologist license type: application fee $150 + license fee $270 = subtotal $420. An 'examination and processing fee' of $282 is listed separately for the same license type and would apply to board-administered examination; an additional processing fee may be charged depending on payment method. All fees are non-refundable. Biennial renewal $270.)
Processing time4–6 weeks (Board states processing takes approximately 1.5 months (4-6 weeks) for applications, subsequent documents/correspondence and requested deficiency documents. Because the application, the CPLEE request and the request for initial licensure are each processed separately at that pace, total time from filing to a California license is considerably longer)Neither the Board's application page nor 251 CMR 3.00 publishes a processing-time estimate; applications are filed through the Health Professions Licensing Portal.
Licensing authorityCalifornia Board of Psychology (Department of Consumer Affairs)Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Massachusetts sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Massachusetts's current requirements on the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Hold a current psychologist license or certification in another jurisdiction whose requirements are the substantial equivalent of M.G.L. c. 112 §119.
  5. Meet the academic requirements of 251 CMR 3.03(1).
  6. Qualify by recognized credential where applicable: an ABPP diplomate, or at least 5 years of licensure in good standing plus the ASPPB Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ); National Register listing plus 5 years supports reciprocity with health service provider certification.
  7. Pass the Massachusetts psychology jurisprudence examination.
  8. Submit three professional and ethical endorsement forms dated within 6 months of application, at least one from a licensed psychologist and one from a training supervisor or other person with direct knowledge of your work.
  9. Pay the fees ($420 (Board fee table for the Psychologist license type: application fee $150 + license fee $270 = subtotal $420. An 'examination and processing fee' of $282 is listed separately for the same license type and would apply to board-administered examination; an additional processing fee may be charged depending on payment method. All fees are non-refundable. Biennial renewal $270.)) and allow Neither the Board's application page nor 251 CMR 3.00 publishes a processing-time estimate; applications are filed through the Health Professions Licensing Portal..

Official links

Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) ↗Massachusetts application ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Massachusetts → CaliforniaPsychology in CaliforniaPsychology in MassachusettsAll psychology statesThe PSYPACT explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Massachusetts accept a California psychology license?

A psychology license transfers from California to Massachusetts by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health), verify your California license, and meet Massachusetts's endorsement requirements. EPPP passing score transfers — 251 CMR 3.09 licenses by reciprocity a psychologist currently licensed or certified in another jurisdiction whose requirements are the substantial equivalent of M.G.L. c. 112 §119, rather than re-testing the national examination (Massachusetts' own passing standard is a scaled score of 500 or higher); 251 CMR 3.09(4) requires every reciprocity applicant to achieve a passing score on the Massachusetts psychology jurisprudence examination.

Do I retake the EPPP moving from California to Massachusetts?

No — the EPPP is passed once and your score is verified rather than retaken. EPPP passing score transfers — 251 CMR 3.09 licenses by reciprocity a psychologist currently licensed or certified in another jurisdiction whose requirements are the substantial equivalent of M.G.L. c. 112 §119, rather than re-testing the national examination (Massachusetts' own passing standard is a scaled score of 500 or higher); 251 CMR 3.09(4) requires every reciprocity applicant to achieve a passing score on the Massachusetts psychology jurisprudence examination.

What does the move cost?

$420 (Board fee table for the Psychologist license type: application fee $150 + license fee $270 = subtotal $420. An 'examination and processing fee' of $282 is listed separately for the same license type and would apply to board-administered examination; an additional processing fee may be charged depending on payment method. All fees are non-refundable. Biennial renewal $270.) (Board fee table for the Psychologist license type: application fee $150 + license fee $270 = subtotal $420. An 'examination and processing fee' of $282 is listed separately for the same license type and would apply to board-administered examination; an additional processing fee may be charged depending on payment method. All fees are non-refundable. Biennial renewal $270.).

How long will it take?

Neither the Board's application page nor 251 CMR 3.00 publishes a processing-time estimate; applications are filed through the Health Professions Licensing Portal. — Neither the Board's application page nor 251 CMR 3.00 publishes a processing-time estimate; applications are filed through the Health Professions Licensing Portal..

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 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]