Michigan TLLP Requirements: Hours, Exams & Step-by-Step Guide

Michigan’s Master’s Limited Psychologist – Temporary (TLLP) license is the credential that lets a master’s‑level psychology graduate begin practicing under supervision while earning the post‑degree hours needed for the permanent Master’s Limited Psychologist (LLP) license in Michigan.

The Michigan Board of Psychology and the Public Health Code spell out very specific hour requirements and supervision conditions. What follows focuses on the current rules in effect as of June 8, 2023 / June 18, 2025 revisions.

---

1. What the TLLP Is (and How the Board Describes It)

The Board’s 2025 licensing guide defines the credential this way:

“The master’s limited psychologist – temporary (TLLP) license allows a licensee to engage in the practice of psychology, while under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist. This license is for the purpose of obtaining postgraduate experience required for the Limited License Psychology.” (michigan.gov)

In the administrative rules, this is called a “temporary limited license … for the purpose of obtaining the 1 year of postgraduate experience” required for the master’s limited license. (regulations.justia.com)

You will see older or informal references to “temporary educational limited” at the master’s level, but the current official terminology in the licensing guide is “Master’s Limited Psychologist – Temporary (TLLP).” (michigan.gov)

---

2. Hour Requirements Tied to the TLLP

There are two distinct blocks of hours relevant to a Michigan master’s‑level psychologist:

1. Master’s practicum hours (pre‑TLLP requirement)
2. Post‑master’s degree supervised experience hours (completed while holding the TLLP)

2.1. Master’s Practicum – 500 Clock Hours of Psychological Work

To qualify for the limited license sequence (LLP, with a TLLP used to earn the post‑degree hours), the Board requires that your master’s program include a formal practicum that:

• Is part of an accredited master’s degree in psychology meeting the Board’s coursework standards, or
• Is a post‑degree practicum approved by the Board.

Under Rule R 338.2561(1)(c), the practicum must:

• Be integrated into the master’s degree program or be an approved post‑degree practicum. (law.cornell.edu)
• “Require not less than 500 clock hours of psychological work.” (law.cornell.edu)
• Be supervised by a psychologist who is:
  • Licensed in Michigan, or
  • Eligible for licensure in Michigan, or
  • Licensed/certified at the independent practice level in the state where the practicum took place. (law.cornell.edu)
• Include supervision in which “the applicant met in-person or via 2‑way real-time audiovisual technology … for a minimum of 2 hours a week during the practicum.” (law.cornell.edu)

The Board’s “Master’s Post‑Degree Practicum Requirements” document restates this standard and explicitly requires documentation showing “the practicum requires not less than 500 clock hours of psychological work” and at least 2 hours per week of supervision (in person or 2‑way real-time video). (michigan.gov)

In other words:

• You must document ≥ 500 clock hours of psychological work in a master’s‑level practicum, with
• 2 hours/week of direct supervision by a qualified psychologist,
  before you can move into the TLLP stage.

These practicum hours are not the same as the post‑master’s experience; they are a separate, prerequisite block built into (or appended to) your degree.

---

2.2. Post‑Master’s Degree Experience – 2,000 Clock Hours Under Supervision

While you are holding the TLLP, you complete the post‑master’s experience required for the permanent Master’s Limited Psychologist (LLP) license.

The general rules (R 338.2561 and R 338.2569) describe this as:

• “1 year of post master’s degree experience in the practice of psychology” (law.cornell.edu)
• That experience must:
  • “consist of not less than 2,000 clock hours completed under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.” (regulations.justia.com)
  • Be acquired in “an organized healthcare setting” as defined in the psychology rules. (regulations.justia.com)
  • Involve the supervisee “function[ing] as a psychologist using generally accepted applications of psychological knowledge and techniques acquired during the supervisee’s education and training.” (regulations.justia.com)

Supervision requirements for these 2,000 clock hours are also tightly defined:

• The supervisee (TLLP holder) “shall meet individually and in-person or via 2‑way real-time audiovisual technology that allows direct, contemporaneous interaction by sight and sound between the supervisor and the supervisee weekly for a minimum of 4 hours a month, during which all active work functions and records of the supervisee are reviewed.” (regulations.justia.com)

Putting this together, the Board’s hour requirements break down as:

• 500 clock hours – master’s practicum (“psychological work”) with ≥2 hours/week supervision.
• 2,000 clock hours – post‑master’s degree supervised experience in an organized healthcare setting while holding the TLLP, with at least 4 hours/month of individual supervision.

There is no separate category like “1,500 direct / 1,500 supervised” in Michigan’s rules. Instead, the rules focus on:

• Clock hours of psychological work (for the practicum) and
• Clock hours of supervised post‑master’s degree experience (2,000 hours under supervision in acceptable settings).

---

3. Educational Requirements Before You Can Get a TLLP

Before you apply for the Master’s TLLP, you must meet the education standards that underlie the limited license pathway.

Under Rule R 338.2561(1)(b): (law.cornell.edu)

1. Master’s degree in psychology from an accredited institution meeting the Board’s standards (R 338.2529). (psychology.org)
2. The degree must be “an integrated, organized sequence of study” that includes at least:
   • 1 course in assessment
   • 1 course in treatment
   • 1 course in scientific and professional ethics and standards (≥ 3 semester hours or 15 contact hours per semester hour if you graduated on or after June 30, 2009). (law.cornell.edu)
3. At least 75% of required coursework (excluding thesis and practicum) must be “primarily psychological in content.” (law.cornell.edu)

The Board confirms these education details through:

• An official transcript, and
• A Certification of Psychology Education form sent directly by your program. (michigan.gov)

---

4. Requirements Specific to the TLLP Application

Once your degree and practicum are in place, you apply for the TLLP through MiPLUS. The “Master’s Limited Psychologist – Temporary (TLLP) Licensing Guide” (rev. 6/18/2025) lays out the steps. (michigan.gov)

4.1. Application, Fees, and Core Documentation

• Online Application: “Online Application for a Master’s Limited Psychologist‑Temporary License – complete all fields, answer all questions, and upload any supporting documentation.” (michigan.gov)
• Fee: “Master’s TLLP – $104.60 (Valid for 2 years from date issued).” (michigan.gov)
• Criminal Background Check: You receive instructions after your application is logged. (michigan.gov)
• Good Moral Character Questions: You must provide documentation if you answer “yes” to any item to show you are rehabilitated or that the prior issue is not related to safe practice. (michigan.gov)
• Social Security Number (or SSN affidavit if legally exempt). (michigan.gov)

4.2. Training and Language Requirements

For all applicants:

• Human Trafficking Training
  • “Beginning March 30, 2022, individuals seeking licensure must have completed training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the standards in Administrative Rule 338.2525 prior to being issued a license.” (one‑time). (michigan.gov)
• English Language Proficiency
  • You must show a “working knowledge of the English language” by one of:
    • Program taught in English, or
    • ≥60 college‑level credits from an English‑speaking institution, or
    • Passing score on an approved English proficiency exam under R 338.7002b(2). (michigan.gov)
• Implicit Bias Training
  • “Beginning June 1, 2022, completion of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately preceding issuance of the license or registration is required.” (michigan.gov)

4.3. Proof of Education and Practicum Hours

Under the TLLP guide’s “Requirements for Licensure by Examination,” you must submit: (michigan.gov)

1. Final Official Transcripts – sent directly to the Bureau.
2. Certification of Education Form – sent directly from your program.
3. Psychology Supervision Evaluation Form – to “show proof of supervised hours completed for the Practicum.” This is where your ≥ 500 practicum clock hours of psychological work and weekly supervision are documented in line with R 338.2561(1)(c). (michigan.gov)

No EPPP score is required to obtain the TLLP; the EPPP is tied to qualifying for the limited license (LLP) itself. The rules say an applicant “who is granted a temporary limited license to complete the post-master’s degree experience may take the examination approved under R 338.2563.” (regulations.justia.com)

---

5. What You Must Do While Holding the TLLP

Once your TLLP is issued, you:

1. Practice only under supervision.

   • The licensing guide states the TLLP “allows a licensee to engage in the practice of psychology, while under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist.” (michigan.gov)

2. Complete the 2,000‑hour post‑master’s experience as defined in R 338.2569(4): (regulations.justia.com)

   • Total hours: “not less than 2,000 clock hours.”
   • Supervision: minimum of 4 hours/month of individual supervision (in person or via approved 2‑way real-time video), with review of all active work functions and records.
   • Nature of work: you must “function as a psychologist using generally accepted applications of psychological knowledge and techniques” gained in your training.
   • Setting: an “organized healthcare setting” as defined in the psychology rules.

3. Optionally take the EPPP – Part 1 (Knowledge).

   • Rule R 338.2563 requires that an applicant for the limited license pass Part 1 – Knowledge of the EPPP, with a passing score of 350 for supervised practice. (law.cornell.edu)
   • You are explicitly allowed to take this exam while holding the temporary limited license. (regulations.justia.com)

4. Renewal limitations.

   • The TLLP is issued for 2 years and the guide notes:
     • “Master’s Limited Psychologist‑Temporary License – 2 Years (may renew 1 time).” (michigan.gov)
   • Renewal requires another online application and ongoing compliance with good moral character, human trafficking training (once), and implicit bias training requirements. (michigan.gov)

In practice, most TLLP holders aim to complete their 2,000 supervised hours within those up to 4 years (2‑year initial TLLP plus one renewal) and pass the EPPP so they can transition to the Master’s Limited Psychologist (LLP) license. (psychologydegree411.com)

---

6. Summary of Hours and Key Phrases from the Michigan Rules

Putting all of the Board’s language into a concise, hour‑focused view:

• Practicum (before TLLP)

  • “Not less than 500 clock hours of psychological work.”
  • Supervision: “minimum of 2 hours a week” of in‑person or 2‑way real‑time audiovisual supervision by a qualified psychologist. (law.cornell.edu)

• Post‑Master’s Degree Experience (while holding the TLLP)

  • “1 year of post master’s degree experience in the practice of psychology.” (law.cornell.edu)
  • “Not less than 2,000 clock hours completed under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.” (regulations.justia.com)
  • Supervision: “weekly for a minimum of 4 hours a month” in person or via approved 2‑way real-time audiovisual technology, with review of all active work and records. (regulations.justia.com)
  • In an “organized healthcare setting” and functioning as a psychologist using accepted psychological techniques. (regulations.justia.com)

• Examination (EPPP) tied to the limited license (LLP)

  • Must pass Part 1 – Knowledge of the EPPP with a “passing score… 350 for supervised practice.” (law.cornell.edu)

• Purpose of the TLLP

  • A “master’s limited psychologist – temporary (TLLP) license allows a licensee to engage in the practice of psychology, while under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist… for the purpose of obtaining postgraduate experience required for the Limited License Psychology.” (michigan.gov)

Those are the core, Board‑defined hour and supervision requirements you must satisfy on the way to—and while holding—a Michigan Master’s Limited Psychologist – Temporary (TLLP) license.