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

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) ↗

A psychology license transfers from California to Michigan by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), verify your California license, and meet Michigan's endorsement requirements. EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) — endorsement applicants have their EPPP score verified electronically through the ASPPB PSY|PRO score-transfer service rather than re-sitting the exam; Michigan's psychologist licensing guide sets out no separate state jurisprudence examination.

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

This direction has a payoff worth planning around. California is outside PSYPACT, so you have had no compact authorizations to work with — but Michigan participates. Endorse into Michigan through the Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), make it your licensed home state, and that license becomes an anchor: from there an ASPPB E.Passport and APIT authorization let you serve clients across every other participating state without another full license. The endorsement itself is still an ordinary application — EPPP score accepted, credentials reviewed, Michigan's jurisprudence requirement applied — but what it unlocks afterwards is considerably more than a single state.

What changes, California → Michigan

Side-by-side: California vs Michigan (Psychology (licensed psychologist)), verified 2026-08-07
	California (current)	Michigan (destination)
PSYPACT status	Licensure by endorsement	PSYPACT member — multistate license honored
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)	$204 (Application fee plus 2-year license fee for a psychologist license is $204.00, payable only by credit or debit card. Applications and fees remain valid for two years. Biennial renewal is $209.60. Certified license verification from Michigan costs $15.00 per address.)
Processing time	4–6 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)	4–6 weeks (The Bureau states that applications are reviewed in the order received and that processing time typically varies from 4 to 6 weeks from the date the application is received; outstanding items are requested by email and pause issuance.)
Licensing authority	California Board of Psychology (Department of Consumer Affairs)	Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs)

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

Step by step

Confirm Michigan's current requirements on the Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) website (linked below) — rules change.
Submit the endorsement application to the Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) (application linked below).
Arrange license verification from your current state.
Have license verification sent directly to the Bureau of Professional Licensing by every state or Canadian province where you hold or have ever held a psychologist license, showing good standing and any pending or completed discipline.
Have your EPPP score verified electronically through ASPPB PSY|PRO score transfer.
Have final official transcripts sent directly from the school attended, plus verification that you completed the educational requirements for psychologist licensure in the other state or province.
Submit the Psychology Supervision Evaluation form documenting post-degree supervised professional experience.
Complete a criminal background check, one-time human trafficking identification training, and 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years preceding issuance.
Pay the fees ($204 (Application fee plus 2-year license fee for a psychologist license is $204.00, payable only by credit or debit card. Applications and fees remain valid for two years. Biennial renewal is $209.60. Certified license verification from Michigan costs $15.00 per address.)) and allow 4–6 weeks (The Bureau states that applications are reviewed in the order received and that processing time typically varies from 4 to 6 weeks from the date the application is received; outstanding items are requested by email and pause issuance.).

Official links

Michigan Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) ↗Michigan application ↗Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact ↗

Frequently asked questions

Does Michigan accept a California psychology license?

Do I retake the EPPP moving from California to Michigan?

No — the EPPP is passed once and your score is verified rather than retaken. EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) — endorsement applicants have their EPPP score verified electronically through the ASPPB PSY|PRO score-transfer service rather than re-sitting the exam; Michigan's psychologist licensing guide sets out no separate state jurisprudence examination.

What does the move cost?

$204 (Application fee plus 2-year license fee for a psychologist license is $204.00, payable only by credit or debit card. Applications and fees remain valid for two years. Biennial renewal is $209.60. Certified license verification from Michigan costs $15.00 per address.) (Application fee plus 2-year license fee for a psychologist license is $204.00, payable only by credit or debit card. Applications and fees remain valid for two years. Biennial renewal is $209.60. Certified license verification from Michigan costs $15.00 per address.).

How long will it take?

4–6 weeks (The Bureau states that applications are reviewed in the order received and that processing time typically varies from 4 to 6 weeks from the date the application is received; outstanding items are requested by email and pause issuance.) — The Bureau states that applications are reviewed in the order received and that processing time typically varies from 4 to 6 weeks from the date the application is received; outstanding items are requested by email and pause issuance..

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

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