Psychology License from Pennsylvania to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) ↗
A psychology license transfers from Pennsylvania to Louisiana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP), verify your Pennsylvania license, and meet Louisiana's endorsement requirements. EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) — under the Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:52) LSBEP relies on the examination/education standards the other state already imposed, and the separate board rule route (LAC 46:LXIII.201) accepts an ASPPB CPQ or ABPP diplomate in place of re-examination; either way the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination must be passed before a license is issued.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Leaving Pennsylvania for Louisiana takes you outside the compact's reach: Louisiana does not participate in PSYPACT, so no APIT or TAP authorization covers Louisiana clients, and there is no telehealth or temporary-practice bridge to work across while your application is pending. You apply to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) for licensure by endorsement — your existing EPPP score is accepted rather than retaken, and Louisiana applies its own credential review, jurisprudence requirement, and background check. Any authorizations you hold for other participating states remain valid only while your Pennsylvania license does.
What changes, Pennsylvania → Louisiana
| Pennsylvania (current) | Louisiana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PSYPACT status | PSYPACT member — multistate license honored | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $105 (Initial application fee of $105 under 49 Pa. Code 41.12; 41.52a(4) directs endorsement applicants to pay that initial application fee. Biennial renewal is $300. No separate endorsement/reciprocity fee line exists in the regulation. PPLE and EPPP fees are paid to the exam vendors) | $200 (Application fee $200, non-refundable (LAC 46:LXIII.601 and the board's endorsement instructions). Additional: $75 non-refundable Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination fee, plus criminal-background-check costs. The $250 oral examination in the fee schedule applies to the standard licensure route; §201.B only permits the board to require a meeting with a reciprocity applicant.) |
| Processing time | Neither the Board page, the licensure snapshot, nor 49 Pa. Code Chapter 41 states a processing-time range; no Board processing-time page was reachable on 2026-08-07 | ~9 weeks (The Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:55) requires a written decision within 60 days of a completed application (~9 weeks). LSBEP acknowledges receipt in 5-7 business days, and completed applications are docketed on a consent agenda for approval at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. No minimum is published.) |
| Licensing authority | Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) | Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Louisiana's current requirements on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current, valid psychologist license in another U.S. jurisdiction, in good standing, for at least one year.
- Establish Louisiana residency (Louisiana driver's license, voter registration card, homestead exemption, or documented in-state employment with 6-month follow-up).
- Have license verification sent directly to LSBEP from every jurisdiction where you hold or have ever held a professional license.
- Pass the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination.
- Complete a criminal background check; LSBEP also queries the ASPPB Disciplinary Data System and the National Practitioner Data Bank.
- Have no disciplinary action or investigation pending in any other state.
- Pay the fees ($200 (Application fee $200, non-refundable (LAC 46:LXIII.601 and the board's endorsement instructions). Additional: $75 non-refundable Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination fee, plus criminal-background-check costs. The $250 oral examination in the fee schedule applies to the standard licensure route; §201.B only permits the board to require a meeting with a reciprocity applicant.)) and allow ~9 weeks (The Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:55) requires a written decision within 60 days of a completed application (~9 weeks). LSBEP acknowledges receipt in 5-7 business days, and completed applications are docketed on a consent agenda for approval at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. No minimum is published.).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana accept a Pennsylvania psychology license?
A psychology license transfers from Pennsylvania to Louisiana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP), verify your Pennsylvania license, and meet Louisiana's endorsement requirements. EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) — under the Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:52) LSBEP relies on the examination/education standards the other state already imposed, and the separate board rule route (LAC 46:LXIII.201) accepts an ASPPB CPQ or ABPP diplomate in place of re-examination; either way the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination must be passed before a license is issued.
Do I retake the EPPP moving from Pennsylvania to Louisiana?
No — the EPPP is passed once and your score is verified rather than retaken. EPPP passing score transfers (not retaken) — under the Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:52) LSBEP relies on the examination/education standards the other state already imposed, and the separate board rule route (LAC 46:LXIII.201) accepts an ASPPB CPQ or ABPP diplomate in place of re-examination; either way the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination must be passed before a license is issued.
What does the move cost?
$200 (Application fee $200, non-refundable (LAC 46:LXIII.601 and the board's endorsement instructions). Additional: $75 non-refundable Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination fee, plus criminal-background-check costs. The $250 oral examination in the fee schedule applies to the standard licensure route; §201.B only permits the board to require a meeting with a reciprocity applicant.) (Application fee $200, non-refundable (LAC 46:LXIII.601 and the board's endorsement instructions). Additional: $75 non-refundable Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination fee, plus criminal-background-check costs. The $250 oral examination in the fee schedule applies to the standard licensure route; §201.B only permits the board to require a meeting with a reciprocity applicant.).
How long will it take?
~9 weeks (The Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:55) requires a written decision within 60 days of a completed application (~9 weeks). LSBEP acknowledges receipt in 5-7 business days, and completed applications are docketed on a consent agenda for approval at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. No minimum is published.) — The Welcome Home Act (La. R.S. 37:55) requires a written decision within 60 days of a completed application (~9 weeks). LSBEP acknowledges receipt in 5-7 business days, and completed applications are docketed on a consent agenda for approval at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. No minimum is published..
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- LSBEP — Endorsement application (Welcome Home Act) applicant page ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- LSBEP — Steps Toward Licensure: Endorsement License Pursuant to the Welcome Home Act (fees, residency, jurisprudence exam, board decision) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Louisiana Act 253 of 2024 (SB 60), Welcome Home Act, La. R.S. 37:51 et seq. — enrolled text posted by LSBEP ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- LSBEP board rules, LAC Title 46:LXIII — Chapter 2 §201 Licensure of Psychologists through Reciprocity and Chapter 6 §601 Licensing Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- LSBEP — PSYPACT status notice (Act 302 of 2026; effective January 1, 2028) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 49 Pa. Code 41.52a — Licensure by endorsement (Act 41) conditions for out-of-state psychologists ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 49 Pa. Code 41.52 — Licensure of psychologists licensed in another state (EPPP national-portion waiver, child abuse training, temporary practice) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 49 Pa. Code 41.12 — State Board of Psychology fee schedule ($105 initial application, $300 biennial renewal) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PA Department of State — Psychologist Licensure Snapshot (EPPP + PPLE, supervised experience, fees, PSYPACT) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PA State Board of Psychology — board home page ↗ (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]