Georgia PSY-EXW Requirements: Hours, Exams & Step-by-Step Guide

Licensure by Exam Waiver (often labeled PSY‑EXW in practice) is one of the three main ways to obtain a full psychologist license from the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Substantively, Exam Waiver applicants must meet all of the same education, internship, supervised‑experience, and state‑exam requirements as Licensure by Examination applicants; the only difference is that they have already passed the national licensure examination (EPPP) and therefore do not retake it through Georgia.

Below is a step‑by‑step outline of what the Board itself requires, emphasizing the specific hour requirements and the Board’s own terminology.

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1. Who qualifies for “Psychologist Licensure by Exam Waiver”?

The Board’s How‑to Guide defines this option as follows:

• It is for applicants who:

  • “have never been licensed before and have taken and passed the required national licensure examination, and…meet all the requirements for licensure as a Psychologist.” (sos.ga.gov)

• The instructions add:

  • If you fit that description, you “choose the option for licensure by Exam Waiver on the application form.” (sos.ga.gov)

On the Application Initiation Form, the Board further directs:

• “CHECK Exam Waiver only if you already have taken the EPPP – Note: Parts I & II are required for GA licensure.” (sos.ga.gov)

In practice, this means:

• You have never held a psychologist license in any jurisdiction.
• You have already passed the EPPP, Parts 1 and 2, under some prior registration (e.g., through another state, or as an exam‑only candidate).
• You must still satisfy all Georgia requirements for education, internship, postdoctoral supervised experience, and state‑specific exams.

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2. Educational prerequisites

Georgia’s licensure rule for Application for Licensure (Rule 510‑2‑.01) states that to be licensed as a psychologist:

1. You must have “a doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited doctoral program in applied psychology” (or from an approved industrial/organizational or international program, as defined in the Education rule). (rules.sos.ga.gov)

2. Detailed education standards appear in Rule 510‑2‑.04 “Education,” which requires:

   • Completion of doctoral training in an APA‑ or CPA‑accredited program in applied psychology (with limited exceptions for I/O and international programs). (rules.sos.ga.gov)
   • At least three full‑time academic years of graduate study plus an internship, with:
     • At least two of those three years in the doctoral degree–granting program, and
     • At least one full‑time year in residence (or an approved “equivalent thereof”) at that institution. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

These education requirements apply identically to Licensure by Examination and Licensure by Exam Waiver.

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3. Internship requirements and hours

Georgia’s supervised‑experience rules are collected in Rule 510‑2‑.05 “Internship and Postdoctoral Supervised Work Experience.” The key experience requirement is that all applicants must complete both an internship and a postdoctoral supervised work experience (SWE). (rules.sos.ga.gov)

3.1 Total internship hours

The rule sets explicit internship hour requirements:

• The internship requirement is met by either:
  1. “Completion of an APA or CPA accredited or Association of Psychology and Internship Centers (APPIC) member internship of at least 2000 hours”; or (rules.sos.ga.gov)
  2. Completion of a non‑APA/non‑CPA/non‑APPIC internship that:
     • “consists of 2000 hours of organized training experiences” in the program’s specialty area. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

So, the Board requires 2,000 hours of internship in all cases (either via an accredited/APPIC internship or via an equivalent internship that satisfies detailed criteria).

3.2 Direct client contact hours during internship

Within the 2,000 internship hours, the Board specifically requires:

• “The intern must spend at least 500 hours in direct contact with clients/patients.” (Industrial/Organizational interns are exempt from this direct‑contact requirement.) (rules.sos.ga.gov)

Thus, for a typical health‑service psychology applicant (clinical, counseling, school, or MR/DD):

• 2,000 total internship hours, of which
• at least 500 hours must be direct client/patient contact.

3.3 Internship timing and structure

Additional Board language clarifies:

• A non‑APA/CPA/APPIC internship:
  • Must be completed in no less than 11 months and no more than 24 months (48 months for I/O internships). (rules.sos.ga.gov)
  • Must only count post‑master’s, non‑practicum hours (practica that carry course credit cannot be counted toward the 2,000 internship hours). (rules.sos.ga.gov)
• At least 80% of internship supervision must be provided by one or more licensed psychologists. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

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4. Postdoctoral Supervised Work Experience (SWE) requirements and hours

Exam Waiver applicants must also satisfy Georgia’s postdoctoral supervised‑experience requirement. This is clearly defined in Rules 510‑2‑.01 and 510‑2‑.05.

4.1 Total postdoctoral SWE hours

Under Rule 510‑2‑.01, one licensure requirement is:

• “Successful completion of a 1500‑hour postdoctoral supervised work (SWE) experience.” (rules.sos.ga.gov)

Rule 510‑2‑.05 then defines SWE as:

• “1500 hours of individually supervised experience following the internship and the completion of the doctoral degree.” (rules.sos.ga.gov)

In short:

• 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised work experience are required, and they must be:
  • Individually supervised, and
  • Completed after both the internship and the conferral of the doctoral degree.

4.2 Minimum client/patient involvement within SWE

The same rule sets a minimum standard for direct clinical work within those 1,500 hours:

• The content of the SWE must include “a minimum of 500 hours of client/patient involvement,” defined to include:
  • Face‑to‑face client/patient contact,
  • Document review,
  • Test scoring,
  • Note/report writing, or
  • Any other professional activity directly related to treatment or services for the client/patient. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

So, for the SWE:

• 1,500 total postdoctoral hours, of which
• at least 500 hours must be documented client/patient involvement.

4.3 Time frame for completing postdoctoral SWE

Rule 510‑2‑.05 further specifies:

• SWE must be completed in no less than 11 months and no more than 24 months from its inception.
• Supervision formally begins on the date the supervision contract is signed by supervisor(s) and fellow. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

4.4 Supervision ratio and documentation for SWE

For postdoctoral supervision, the Board requires that:

• The fellow meets with the supervisor “at least one hour for each 30 hours of SWE”, in weekly or following‑week sessions.
• These supervision meetings may be in person or via real‑time, face‑to‑face video teleconferencing (I/O fellows are exempt from this particular ratio). (rules.sos.ga.gov)

All SWE hours must be carefully logged:

• “All SWE hours must be documented on a weekly log which is co‑signed by the fellow and supervisor.”
• The log must include:
  • Professional activities and tasks performed that week,
  • Total hours worked that week,
  • Hours of client/patient involvement, and
  • Hours of individual supervision. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

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5. Examination requirements for Exam Waiver applicants

The term “Exam Waiver” often causes confusion. It does not mean all exams are waived. Under Rule 510‑2‑.01, Georgia requires three examinations for licensure:

1. National licensing exam (EPPP, Parts 1 and 2).

   • The Board accepts the standard passing score set by ASPPB and notes that Part 1 may be taken after coursework, and Part 2 after completion of the doctoral degree and internship. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

2. Georgia Jurisprudence Examination.

   • A timed, multiple‑choice, closed‑book exam “covering current law, rules and regulations, and general provisions.”
   • It is taken after the national exam is passed and may be taken while completing the SWE. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

3. Oral Examination.

   • Conducted by the Board or its representatives, based on a work sample generated within the six months preceding the exam (or within six months of most recent professional practice).
   • It may be scheduled when the candidate has passed all other exams and is within two months of satisfactorily completing the SWE. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

Because Exam Waiver applicants must “meet all the requirements for licensure as a Psychologist” (sos.ga.gov), they:

• Do not retake the EPPP through Georgia if they can document a prior passing score on Parts 1 and 2;
• Still must take and pass:
  • The Georgia Jurisprudence Examination, and
  • The Board’s Oral Examination.

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6. Background check and legal/administrative requirements

Exam Waiver applicants share the same administrative requirements as other licensure paths.

6.1 Criminal background check

Rule 510‑2‑.01 requires:

• Completion of registration “to cause the submission of a criminal background check” under O.C.G.A. §§ 43‑39‑6 and 43‑39‑8(b)(6). The applicant is responsible for all fees associated with the fingerprint‑based check. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

The Application Initiation Form and the How‑to Guide reinforce that you must complete the Fieldprint/GAPS fingerprint process following submission of the initiation form. (sos.ga.gov)

6.2 Citizenship documentation

The How‑to Guide checklist and the Application both require:

• A Secure & Verifiable Document (SVD) (e.g., driver’s license, passport) and
• A signed and notarized Affidavit Regarding Citizenship, as required under O.C.G.A. § 50‑36‑1. (sos.ga.gov)

6.3 Disciplinary and criminal history disclosures

The Application Initiation Form includes a series of background questions (licensure denials, discipline, malpractice, substance issues, criminal history). “Yes” answers must be accompanied by:

• A written explanation, and
• Certified copies of court or licensing‑board documents, as applicable. (sos.ga.gov)

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7. Step‑by‑step process for a PSY‑EXW (Exam Waiver) application

Putting the Board’s rules and forms together, the Exam Waiver route typically proceeds as follows:

Step 1 – Confirm substantive eligibility

Before applying as Exam Waiver, you should be able to document that you have:

1. A qualifying APA/CPA‑accredited (or Board‑approved) doctoral degree in applied psychology (or qualifying I/O or international program). (rules.sos.ga.gov)
2. A qualifying 2,000‑hour internship, including at least 500 hours of direct client/patient contact (unless you are I/O). (rules.sos.ga.gov)
3. A 1,500‑hour postdoctoral SWE, including at least 500 hours of client/patient involvement, completed in 11–24 months with required supervision and logs. (rules.sos.ga.gov)
4. A passing score on EPPP Parts 1 and 2 (national exam). (rules.sos.ga.gov)
5. No prior psychologist license in any jurisdiction (otherwise, you likely must apply by Endorsement). (sos.ga.gov)

Step 2 – Submit the Application Initiation Form as “Exam Waiver”

From the Board’s How‑to Guide and the current Application Initiation Form:

• Complete the Application Initiation Registration Form for Licensure as a Psychologist and:
  • Check the “Exam Waiver” box and pay the associated application fee (currently listed on the fee schedule). (sos.ga.gov)
• Attach:
  • The Affidavit of Citizenship and a Secure & Verifiable Document,
  • Any required explanations and legal documents for “Yes” responses in the background section.

Once this form and fee are submitted, you are “under the jurisdiction” of the Board while your application proceeds. (sos.ga.gov)

Step 3 – Complete the fingerprint background check

• Register with Fieldprint/GAPS and complete the fingerprint‑based background check as instructed on the Board website. (sos.ga.gov)

Step 4 – Complete the ASPPB PLUS application

After the Board receives and processes your initiation form:

• The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) will contact you with instructions to complete the Psychology Licensure Universal System (PLUS) application. (rules.sos.ga.gov)
• Through PLUS, you provide:
  • Official transcripts,
  • Internship and postdoctoral experience documentation (including SWE logs or verification from an accredited fellowship),
  • EPPP score verification,
  • Any other forms ASPPB or the Board requires.

The Board uses the completed PLUS file to verify you have met the education and experience rules in Chapter 510‑2. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

Step 5 – Take and pass Georgia’s remaining exams

Because you are an Exam Waiver candidate (EPPP already passed), your remaining Board‑required exams are:

1. Georgia Jurisprudence Examination, then
2. Oral Examination based on a work sample, typically taken near the end of your SWE or after its completion. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

You must pass both to be licensed.

Step 6 – Final Board review and license issuance

Under Rule 510‑2‑.06, you must complete all licensure requirements within one year of the Board’s approval of your most recent application and/or your completion of the SWE; otherwise you must reapply and pay a new fee. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

Once:

• Your PLUS file is complete,
• Your fingerprint/background check clears,
• Your EPPP scores are verified, and
• You have passed the jurisprudence and oral exams,

the Board can grant your two‑year renewable psychologist license in Georgia (the same license issued to applicants via examination or endorsement).

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8. Summary of key hour requirements (Board language)

For a Psychologist Licensure by Exam Waiver (PSY‑EXW) applicant in Georgia, the core experience requirements, as defined by the State Board’s rules, are:

• Internship:

  • 2,000 hours of internship (APA/CPA accredited or APPIC member, or an approved equivalent of 2,000 hours), with
  • At least 500 hours of direct contact with clients/patients (except I/O). (rules.sos.ga.gov)

• Postdoctoral Supervised Work Experience (SWE):

  • 1,500 hours of individually supervised postdoctoral work, completed in 11–24 months,
  • Including at least 500 hours of client/patient involvement,
  • With supervision of at least 1 hour for each 30 hours of SWE, and a co‑signed weekly log documenting activities, hours, client involvement, and supervision. (rules.sos.ga.gov)

These hour requirements, together with the doctoral‑level education, the EPPP (already passed), and Georgia’s jurisprudence and oral examinations, are what the Board recognizes as “all the requirements for licensure as a Psychologist” that Exam Waiver applicants must meet.