So, I’ve been meaning to share my journey of getting my psychology license in DC. It was quite a ride, let me tell you.
It all started when I realized I needed to get licensed to practice here. First thing I did was hit up the DC Board of Psychology website. I figured that’s where all the info would be, and I was right.
Gathering Information
I spent a good chunk of time just reading through their site. There was a ton of stuff about the requirements, like needing a doctoral degree from an accredited place. I already had my Ph.D., so that part was covered. But there were other things, like needing to show proof that my previous license from another state would be accepted here. That was a bit of a headache, but I got all my documents in order.
Filling Out Forms
Then came the fun part – filling out the application. I found this “NEW LICENSE APPLICATION” form online, and let me tell you, it was long. I made sure to read the instructions like a hundred times because I didn’t want to mess anything up. There was a whole coversheet checklist to go through. I double, triple-checked everything before I hit that submit button. You never know when they will get you on a simple mistake, and I don’t have time for that.
Setting Up an Account
Before I could even apply, I had to create an “Access DC” account. It’s like their system for submitting stuff online. It was free, thankfully. Setting it up was pretty straightforward, just your usual name, email, and password stuff.
- Create an Access DC account
- Fill out the NEW LICENSE APPLICATION form
- Make sure to have a doctoral degree from an accredited institution
- Gather proof of previous licensure if applicable
Submitting the Application
Once everything was filled out and I had my account, I submitted my application online. I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Relief because it was finally done, but anxious because, well, who knows how long these things take.
Waiting Game
After that, it was just a waiting game. I kept checking my email like crazy, hoping for some update. It felt like forever, but eventually, I got the email saying my application was approved! I was so pumped, I couldn’t wait to get back into practice.
Final Thoughts
Getting my psychology license in DC was definitely a process, but totally worth it. Just make sure you read everything carefully, double-check your forms, and be patient. It all works out in the end. Now that I look back at it, it wasn’t so bad. Good luck to anyone else going through this! If I can do it, then I am sure you can, too.
