Licensed Psychologist · Iowa · regulated by Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) · high confidence
| Degree | Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited or ASPPB/National Register-designated program (or ABPP certification / APA respecialization certificate) |
|---|---|
| Internship | Not a stated licensure condition in 481—880.2(3); an organized internship (1,500 hours in 12–24 months, ≥375 direct contact) is required for the HSP certificate |
| Supervised experience | At least one year of supervised professional experience (statute), defined as a postdoctoral residency of ≥1,500 hours completed in no less than 10 months |
| Pre-doctoral hours | No: residency may begin only after all doctoral requirements, including the predoctoral internship, are complete |
| Postdoc required? | Yes |
| Postdoc hours | Minimum 1,500 hours completed in no less than ten months |
| Credential during the postdoc | Provisional license in psychology (2 years, renewable once); title 'psychology resident'/'postdoctoral fellow' + 'provisional license in psychology' |
| Exams | EPPP (ASPPB passing score); supervision registration form required before EPPP approval; no jurisprudence exam in rules |
| EPPP-2 | not adopted (rules name the EPPP only) |
| PSYPACT | not in force as of 2026-09-25: no compact in Iowa Code 2026 ch. 154B or 481—880; PSYPACT Commission reported 7/1/2026 that Iowa passed legislation effective in one year (enacting act not located) |
Supervision during the postdoc
- Supervision: Individual meeting in person or by videoconference every week hours accrue, ≥45 individual hours total (group excluded); supervisor readily available at all times
- Who may supervise: Psychologist actively licensed in the jurisdiction where supervision occurs; max 3 concurrent full-time supervisees (or part-time equivalent)
- Minimum time: 10 months (postdoctoral residency)
Related credentials
- Specialty or health-service credential: Certified Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSP) certificate: 1 year organized health-service training program (internship) + 1 year meeting postdoctoral-residency rules, or National Register credential
Can you be supervised remotely in Iowa?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Weekly individual supervision in person or via videoconferencing, at least 45 hours total over the 1,500-hour residency; group hours do not count toward the 45.
- In-person minimum: none
- Supervisor licensed in Iowa? other: supervisor must be actively licensed in the jurisdiction where the supervision occurs (Iowa license for Iowa residencies)
- Supervisee cap: Max 3 concurrent full-time supervisees (40 h/week) or part-time equivalent
- Board approval first: Supervision plan on board form; must be submitted to the board if the resident holds or is applying for a provisional license; new plan on change of supervisor
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Psychology rules moved from 645—Ch 240 to 481—Ch 880 (ARC 9401C, effective 8/13/25; further amended ARC 0556D, effective 10/7/26). DIAL pages still cite 645—240.6. PSYPACT legislation reported passed 2026 (effective ~7/1/2027).
In the board’s own words
“shall have completed at least one year of supervised professional experience under the supervision of a licensed psychologist” — Iowa Code §154B.6(1)(a)✓ matched in the source
“The postdoctoral residency shall consist of a minimum of 1,500 hours that are completed in no less than ten months.” — 481 IAC 880.8(1)✓ matched in the source
“The postdoctoral residency may begin after all academic requirements for the doctoral degree, including completion of the predoctoral internship, have been completed.” — 481 IAC 880.8(1)✓ matched in the source
“meet individually in person or via videoconferencing during each week in which postdoctoral residency hours are accrued, for no less than a total of 45 hours” — 481 IAC 880.8(2)(c)✓ matched in the source
“An applicant shall successfully pass the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).” — 481 IAC 880.2(3)(c)✓ matched in the source
“Provides a minimum of 1,500 hours of training experience that shall be completed in no less than 12 months within a 24-consecutive-month period.” — 481 IAC 880.2(5)(b)(12) (HSP certificate)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisee and supervisor will meet individually in person or via videoconferencing during each week in which postdoctoral residency hours are accrued” — 481 IAC 880.8 (psychology postdoctoral residency) and 880.9(1), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 10-11✓ matched in the source
“meet individually in person or via videoconferencing during each week” — 481 IAC 880.8 (psychology postdoctoral residency) and 880.9(1), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 10-11✓ matched in the source
“under the supervision of a licensed psychologist who is actively licensed in the jurisdiction where the supervision occurs” — 481 IAC 880.8 (psychology postdoctoral residency) and 880.9(1), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 10-11✓ matched in the source
“A supervisor will not have more than three concurrent full-time supervisees or the equivalent in part-time supervisees.” — 481 IAC 880.8 (psychology postdoctoral residency) and 880.9(1), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 10-11✓ matched in the source
“the supervisor will be readily available on site, or via electronic or telephonic means, at all times when the supervisee is providing services” — 481 IAC 880.8 (psychology postdoctoral residency) and 880.9(1), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 10-11✓ matched in the source
“The supervisee and supervisor will have a crisis plan in place any time the supervisee is providing services and the supervisor is not on site” — 481 IAC 880.8 (psychology postdoctoral residency) and 880.9(1), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 10-11✓ matched in the source
4 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Iowa
- LMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LISW (clinical social worker)
- All Iowa licenses · every state
Sources
- Iowa Code §154B.6 (Requirements for licensure — provisional license), Iowa Code 2026
- 481 IAC 880.1–880.2 (Definitions; psychology licensure; provisional license; HSP certificate)
- DIAL — How Do I Apply for a Psychologist Permanent License?
- DIAL — How Do I Apply for a Provisional Psychologist License?
- Iowa Legislature bill history SF 2339 / HF 255 (psychology interjurisdictional compact), 91st GA
Checked against Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.