Becoming Licensed·

Become a therapist

The whole path, in the order you need it.

From “I think I want to do this” to a license on the wall: the whole path in 23 steps, in the order you will need them. Plain, sourced and free.

Start with your license
An illustrated footpath winding up through layered green hills, past small stone waymarkers, to a lit house on the far hilltop.

  1. Choose your path

    Decide what you want to become before you spend a dollar on tuition.

  2. What graduate school teaches

    A map of the coursework, and what the licensing exams test from it.

  3. Before your first client

    Ethics, law, risk and notes: the duties you carry from your first day of practicum.

  4. From student to licensed

    Practicum, supervised hours, exams and the application.

  5. Practicing

    Where to work, how you get paid, and what comes after the license.

An illustrated therapy office seen from the doorway: two armchairs, a small table with tissues and a plant, afternoon light through a tall window.

Already in school or past it?

Jump to your state’s rules: supervised hours, supervision, time limits and exams, every one sourced to the board.

Requirements by stateCalifornia in depth