Indiana Psychologist by Reciprocity Requirements: Hours, Exams & Step-by-Step Guide

Licensure as a Psychologist by Reciprocity in Indiana

Indiana treats “psychologist by reciprocity” and “health service provider in psychology (HSPP)” as two distinct steps:

1. First, you obtain an Indiana psychology license by reciprocity.
2. Then (if you want to independently diagnose and treat mental and behavioral disorders) you apply for HSPP endorsement, which is where the detailed hour requirements come in. (secure.in.gov)

Below is a step‑by‑step outline based on the Indiana State Psychology Board’s published instructions as of late 2025.

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1. Basic Eligibility for “Psychologist by Reciprocity”

Indiana describes the reciprocity path as follows:

“For Applicants who hold a current license* from another state or jurisdiction and meet requirements defined in IC 25‑1‑21‑5.” (secure.in.gov)

Key points:

• You must hold a current, active psychology license in another U.S. state or jurisdiction.
• Your out‑of‑state license must meet the general requirements in Indiana Code 25‑1‑21‑5 (Indiana’s universal reciprocity statute for professional licenses).
• Reciprocity does not automatically include Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSPP); that is a separate application (see Section 3). (secure.in.gov)

Notably, the Board’s reciprocity checklist does not list specific internship or supervised‑experience hour totals for this step; those appear only in the HSPP requirements.

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2. Application Checklist: Psychologist by Reciprocity

Indiana’s Psychology Licensing Information page sets out the following requirements for a reciprocity applicant: (secure.in.gov)

2.1. Application and Fee

• Completed online application (select “Psychologist by Reciprocity” in the MyLicenseOne/Access Indiana system).
• Application fee: $100.00, paid by credit or debit card.
  • The Board notes: “All application fees are nonrefundable.” (secure.in.gov)

2.2. Criminal Background Check

• You must complete the Board‑specified criminal background check (CBC) process.
• The application instructions link directly to the CBC page and require this as part of the reciprocity file. (secure.in.gov)

2.3. Positive Response Documentation (If Applicable)

If you answer “Yes” to any discipline/criminal history questions:

• Provide a detailed written explanation including:
  • Violation
  • Location
  • Date
  • Cause number
  • Disposition
• Submit copies of court documents for each instance.
• For malpractice, provide the name(s) of the plaintiff(s). (secure.in.gov)

2.4. Name Change Documentation (If Applicable)

If your current legal name differs from the name on your supporting documents:

• Submit proof of legal name change, such as:
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree, or
  • Other official court documentation. (secure.in.gov)

2.5. Verification of Licensure (Core Reciprocity Requirement)

Indiana is explicit about this point:

“You must hold an Active license in another State for reciprocity. Verifications of licensure must come directly from the state … Copies of license cards from other jurisdictions are not accepted as proof of verification of licensure.” (secure.in.gov)

Practically, this means:

• You request official verification of your psychology license from your current licensing state.
• That board sends the verification directly to Indiana (usually by email to the PLA psychology division or via their verification form).
• A wallet card or printed license certificate from your state will not be accepted as proof.

2.6. Jurisprudence Examination (Indiana Law & Rules)

After your materials are reviewed:

• The Board emails you a jurisprudence examination covering the Indiana psychology statute and rules.
• You have 7 days from the date the email is sent to complete and return it.
• The exam is:
  • 50 questions
  • True/false and multiple choice
  • Passing score: 75%. (secure.in.gov)

All applicants for psychology licensure — including reciprocity applicants — must pass this jurisprudence exam; there are no exemptions. (secure.in.gov)

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3. Hour Requirements: Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSPP)

To actually practice independently in clinical/health service roles (diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders), Indiana requires a separate HSPP endorsement on top of your psychology license.

The Board states:

“Licensed psychologists must obtain endorsement as health service providers in psychology to engage in the independent diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders.” (secure.in.gov)

Crucially, the Board also clarifies:

“The Health Service Provider in Psychology credential is NOT included in the Indiana Reciprocity application.” (secure.in.gov)

So, if you come in by reciprocity and want full independent clinical practice, you must file an HSPP application after (or while) obtaining your Indiana psychology license.

3.1. HSPP Eligibility and Forms

For HSPP, the Board requires: (secure.in.gov)

• A completed HSPP application (after or concurrent with obtaining an Indiana psychology license).
• Application fee: $100.00 (nonrefundable), separate from the reciprocity application fee.
• Form A – Verification of Internship
• Form B – Verification of Practicum (if using doctoral practicum hours)
• Form C – Verification of Post‑Internship Experience (if using post‑internship supervised practice)

Now, to the hour requirements.

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4. Specific Hour Requirements and Board Verbiage

All of the concrete hour requirements appear under the Health Service Provider in Psychology section, which applies to any Indiana psychologist (by exam or by reciprocity) seeking HSPP. (secure.in.gov)

4.1. Internship Hours

The Board’s licensing instructions state:

“The applicant must show completion of 1,500 hour internship.” (secure.in.gov)

Key points:

• Minimum internship requirement:
  • 1,500 hours of organized internship in psychology.
• Documentation:
  • Verified on Form A, signed by an official representative of the internship program.
• If the internship was not APA or APPIC approved:
  • You must submit a “Supplemental educational form” and supporting materials so the Board can determine if your internship met the standards in the statute and rules. (secure.in.gov)

While the page does not subdivide those 1,500 hours by category (e.g., direct vs. indirect service), the Board treats them as a formal internship total, verified by the program and reviewed for compliance with 868 IAC 1.1‑13‑3.1.

4.2. Post‑Internship Supervised Experience Hours

For HSPP, Indiana requires a separate, post‑internship block of supervised experience. The Board’s own wording is:

“Proof of Post‑Internship Experience: This must be a minimum of 1,600 hours of supervised experience completed in no less than twelve (12) months including 900 hours of direct client hours.” (secure.in.gov)

That sentence encodes several distinct requirements:

1. Total supervised experience:

   • At least 1,600 hours of supervised professional experience after your internship.

2. Time frame requirement:

   • The 1,600 hours must be completed in no less than twelve (12) months — that is, it must span at least a full year.

3. Direct client hours requirement (subset of the 1,600):

   • Within those 1,600 hours, at least 900 hours must be “direct client hours.”
   • “Direct client hours” is not further defined on this summary page, but in practice it means face‑to‑face or live service delivery to clients (assessment, psychotherapy, etc.) rather than records review, training, or indirect services.

4. Acceptable sources for these hours:

   • Doctoral‑level practicum (documented by Form B) as described in 868 IAC 1.1‑13‑3.1 Section C.
   • Post‑internship experience (documented by Form C) as described in 868 IAC 1.1‑13‑3.1 Section D.
   • Combination of practicum and post‑internship hours (Forms B + C together).
   • Multiple supervisors and locations are allowed, as long as the Board’s forms and any necessary supplemental letters clearly document total hours and settings. (secure.in.gov)

So, in the format you asked for, Indiana’s HSPP hour requirements can be summarized as:

• 1,500 hours of internship (Form A, predoctoral internship).
• 1,600 hours of supervised post‑internship/practicum experience,
  • spanning at least 12 months, and
  • including 900 hours of direct client hours (a subset of the 1,600).

These are the only explicit hour counts in the Board’s published reciprocity/HSPP pathway.

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5. Putting It Together for a Reciprocity Applicant

If you are already licensed as a psychologist in another state and want to practice in Indiana:

1. Apply for Psychology License by Reciprocity

   • Confirm you hold a current active license in another jurisdiction that meets Indiana’s universal reciprocity statute.
   • Submit the online reciprocity application, $100 fee, CBC, any positive‑response documentation, name‑change documents, and official verification of licensure.
   • Complete and pass the Indiana jurisprudence exam (50 questions, 75% passing). (secure.in.gov)

2. Decide on Scope of Practice

   • If your practice will not involve independent diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders, the base psychology license may suffice.
   • If you do plan to function as an independent health service provider (the usual case for clinical psychologists), you must add HSPP endorsement. (secure.in.gov)

3. Apply for HSPP and Document Hours

   • File the HSPP application and $100 fee (separate from the reciprocity fee).
   • Have your program complete Form A to show a 1,500‑hour internship.
   • Have your supervisors/program complete Form B and/or Form C to document:
     • At least 1,600 hours of supervised experience,
     • Completed over no less than 12 months, and
     • Including at least 900 hours of direct client hours within that total. (secure.in.gov)

4. Await Board Review

   • The Board reviews your HSPP materials for compliance with 868 IAC 1.1‑13‑3.1 and the statute/rules.
   • Once approved, your license will show HSPP endorsement, authorizing independent health‑service practice.

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6. Practical Notes

• Hours vs. Reciprocity:
  Indiana does not ask reciprocity applicants to re‑document internship/supervised hours just to receive the base psychology license. The explicit, numerical hour requirements only appear in connection with HSPP endorsement.

• Non‑APA/Non‑APPIC Programs:
  If your internship was not APA‑ or APPIC‑approved, you can still be approved, but you must supply detailed supplemental educational documentation for Board review. (secure.in.gov)

• Check for Updates:
  Licensure rules and universal reciprocity statutes can change. The controlling source is always the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Psychology Licensing Information page and the cited Indiana Code and Administrative Code sections. (secure.in.gov)