Michigan LLP Requirements & Hours Tracker

In Michigan, the Master’s Limited Psychologist (LLP) is the standard license for master’s‑level psychologists who practice under the ongoing supervision of a fully licensed psychologist. The requirements are set out in the Michigan Public Health Code and the Board of Psychology’s General Rules and licensing guides, most recently revised in 2025.(michigan.gov)

Below is a step‑by‑step guide focused on the hour‑based requirements and the exact categories of experience Michigan recognizes.

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1. Understand what the LLP license allows

The Michigan Board of Psychology describes the master’s limited psychologist license as allowing the licensee to engage in the “practice of psychology” while under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist.(michigan.gov)

Key implications:

• You may provide psychological services (assessment, psychotherapy, etc.).
• You must remain under supervision for the entire time you hold the LLP—this is not an independent practice license.

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2. Educational foundation: Master’s degree in psychology

To qualify for LLP licensure, you must complete a master’s degree in psychology from an accredited institution that meets specific content and structure standards.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

2.1. Degree and coursework requirements

Under Rule R 338.2561(1)(b), the master’s degree must:

1. Be from an institution accredited under standards referenced in R 338.2529 (regional or equivalent accreditation).(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
2. Be an “integrated, organized sequence of study” that includes at least:
   • One course in assessment
   • One course in treatment
   • One course in scientific and professional ethics and standards, at least 3 semester credits (or 15 classroom hours per semester credit) for graduates on or after June 30, 2009.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
3. Have at least 75% of course hours primarily psychological in content (thesis and practicum are excluded from the coursework percentage).(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

Michigan programs aimed at LLP licensure (for example, Western Michigan University’s counseling psychology program) explicitly structure their curricula to meet these Board requirements.(wmich.edu)

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3. First major hour requirement: 500‑hour practicum

Before you can become an LLP, you must complete a psychology practicum that meets tightly defined criteria.

3.1. Minimum hours and type of work

The Board rules require proof of a practicum that:(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

• Is integrated into the master’s program or is a post‑degree practicum approved by the Board.
• “Requires not less than 500 clock hours of psychological work.” (R 338.2561(1)(c)(ii)–(iii))
• Is supervised by a psychologist who is fully licensed in Michigan (or fully licensed in the state where the practicum occurs and eligible for Michigan licensure).
• Includes at least 2 hours per week of in‑person or two‑way real‑time audiovisual supervision with direct interaction “by sight and sound” between supervisor and supervisee throughout the practicum.

The separate “Master’s Post‑Degree Practicum Requirements” document (used when someone must complete the practicum after graduation) reiterates that the practicum must total at least 500 clock hours of psychological work and be for academic graduate credit.(michigan.gov)

In practice, “psychological work” typically includes:

• Direct client contact (intakes, therapy sessions, testing)
• Scoring and interpreting assessments
• Writing reports and notes
• Case consultation and treatment planning

Michigan does not subdivide the 500 hours into separate “direct” vs “indirect” categories in rule text; it bundles them under “psychological work” done in a formal practicum.

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4. Second major hour requirement: 2,000 hours of post‑master’s supervised experience

After the master’s degree and 500‑hour practicum, you must complete a post‑master’s supervised professional experience before qualifying for the LLP itself.

4.1. Temporary limited license (TLLP) stage

You do this under a Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP). Rule R 338.2569 states that a temporary limited license is issued “for the purpose of obtaining the 1 year of postgraduate experience” required by section 18223(2) of the Public Health Code and R 338.2561(1)(d).(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

4.2. Required hours and nature of the experience

Under R 338.2569(4), the post‑master’s degree experience must meet all of the following:(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

1. Minimum hours:

   • “The experience must consist of not less than 2,000 clock hours completed under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.” (R 338.2569(4)(a))

2. Supervision intensity:

   • You must meet with your supervisor individually, in person or by two‑way real‑time audiovisual technology, weekly for a minimum of 4 hours per month, during which “all active work functions and records of the supervisee are reviewed.” (R 338.2569(4)(b))

3. Type of work:

   • You must “function as a psychologist using generally accepted applications of psychological knowledge and techniques acquired during the supervisee’s education and training.” (R 338.2569(4)(c))
   • This is where you accrue substantial direct clinical work (therapy, assessment, treatment planning), alongside related professional tasks.

4. Setting:

   • The experience must be obtained in an “organized healthcare setting” (clinic, hospital, governmental or nonprofit agency, etc., as defined in R 338.2521) that provides opportunities for professional interaction with other disciplines and work with varied populations and techniques. (R 338.2569(4)(d); R 338.2521)(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

There is no separate numerical requirement such as “1,000 hours face‑to‑face + 1,000 hours documentation.” The Board’s controlling categories are:

• 2,000 clock hours,
• in practice of psychology,
• under Board‑specified supervision in an organized health care setting.

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5. Examination requirement: EPPP

To move from supervised candidate to limited license holder, you must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

• Rule R 338.2563 states that an applicant for limited licensure “shall pass the approved and adopted Part 1–Knowledge of the EPPP.”
• The passing score is 350 for supervised practice. Part 2 (Skills) is optional and does not require a passing score for LLP licensure.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

The LLP licensing guide confirms that you must be determined eligible, then notify the Board (via the specified email) when ready to sit for the EPPP.(michigan.gov)

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6. Non‑hour requirements tied to the LLP application

The Board’s Master’s Limited Psychologist Licensing Guide (rev. June 18, 2025) lays out the administrative and general requirements that apply in addition to the hour‑based criteria:(michigan.gov)

6.1. Application and fees

• Online application via MiPLUS.
• Application + 2‑year license fee: currently listed as $204.00 for the master’s limited license.
• Supporting documentation for education, practicum, supervised experience (via Certification of Education and Supervision Evaluation forms).(michigan.gov)

6.2. General licensure conditions

For initial LLP licensure (other than renewals), Michigan requires:

• Criminal background check (instructions sent after the application is received).
• Good moral character attestations, with documentation if you answer “yes” to certain legal/disciplinary questions.
• Human trafficking training meeting Administrative Rule R 338.2525 (one‑time training).
• English language proficiency (via English‑taught program, 60 credits at an English‑speaking institution, or a passing score on an approved language exam).
• Implicit bias training – currently 2 hours within the 5 years immediately preceding license issuance for new licenses.(michigan.gov)

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7. Ongoing supervision once you hold the LLP

Even after you’ve met the hour requirements and received the LLP, you must continue under supervision. Rule R 338.2571 sets minimum monthly supervision standards for all LLPs:(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

• If you have less than 10 years of LLP experience (excluding TLLP time):

  • You must meet with your supervising licensed psychologist at least 2 hours per month, in person or via approved real‑time audiovisual technology.

• If you have 10 or more years of LLP experience:

  • Minimum 1 hour per month of such supervision.

These hours are not additional licensing‑eligibility hours; they are an ongoing condition of practicing as an LLP in Michigan.

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8. Putting the hour requirements together

Here is the core “hours picture” for a Michigan Master’s Limited Psychologist (LLP) license under current rules:

Stage	Type of hours	Amount	How Michigan defines them
Master’s practicum	Pre‑degree practicum in psychology	≥ 500 clock hours	“Not less than 500 clock hours of psychological work,” under supervision of a fully licensed psychologist with at least 2 hours/week of direct supervision.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
Post‑master’s experience (TLLP stage)	Post‑degree professional experience in the practice of psychology	≥ 2,000 clock hours	One year of “post master’s degree experience in the practice of psychology” consisting of “not less than 2,000 clock hours” under a licensed psychologist, with at least 4 hours/month of intensive supervision in an organized health care setting.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

So, in terms of pure numbers:

• Total minimally required supervised professional hours before LLP issuance:
  • 500 hours practicum + 2,000 hours post‑master’s supervised experience
  • = 2,500 supervised clock hours of psychological work.

Michigan’s rules do not break this into, for example, “1,500 direct + 1,500 indirect hours.” Instead, they focus on:

• Clock hours of “psychological work” (practicum), and
• Clock hours of “post master’s degree experience in the practice of psychology” under defined supervision conditions.

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9. Practical sequence to become an LLP in Michigan

Putting everything into a straightforward progression:

1. Complete a qualifying master’s degree in psychology that meets the Board’s coursework and accreditation criteria.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
2. Complete a 500‑hour practicum in psychology (integrated or Board‑approved post‑degree), with proper supervision and documentation.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
3. Apply for a Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP) under the master’s‑level provisions.
4. Accrue at least 2,000 clock hours of supervised post‑master’s experience in an organized health care setting, following the Board’s supervision requirements.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
5. Pass the EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge) with a score of at least 350 for supervised practice.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)
6. Submit the LLP application via MiPLUS, including:
   • Application fee and license fee
   • Official transcripts and Certification of Education form
   • Supervision Evaluation verifying your 2,000 hours
   • Background check, human trafficking training, implicit bias training, and other general requirements.(michigan.gov)
7. Once licensed, maintain ongoing supervision (1–2 hours/month depending on experience) and meet continuing education requirements for renewals.(ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us)

This framework reflects the current Michigan Board of Psychology requirements as of the June 18, 2025 rule and licensing‑guide updates.