Additional license renewal information
Licensees are responsible for awareness of legislation and regulations that pertain to the practice of psychology. The Psychology Jurisprudence Book can be downloaded from the Board's website.
Be advised that Paper Renewals will no longer be accepted by the Board. You must now RENEW ONLINE following the below instructions.
Important license renewal information
Please visit the Bureau of Health Professions Licensure (BHPL) for information and helpful links to applicable Massachusetts statutes and regulations, as well as to information from the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), and the National Register.
Continuing education
Licensees must complete 20 Continuing Education (CE) credits per (2 year) renewal period, with hours prorated for recent licensees. Licensees must maintain documentation of completed CE programs. The Board conducts random audits of selected licensees. Accordingly, licensees are required to keep and maintain proof of completion of continuing education, to be produced in the event of an audit by the Board.
Only CE programs offered through American Psychological Association (APA) approved sponsors are acceptable.
Failure to comply with the CE requirement will result in disciplinary action, a monetary fine, and the completion of additional CEs.
Correspondence
Please do not upload any correspondence to your renewal, unless related to a negative attestation response. If you need to submit additional correspondence, please email it to the board at pyboard@mass.gov.
Criminal history check
The Board is certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services to access data about convictions and pending criminal cases.
Those and other Federal and professional records may be checked as part of your licensing renewal. No records are automatic disqualifiers as you will be given an opportunity to discuss any issues with the Board.
Instructions regarding untrue attestations
If any of the listed attestations within the on-line renewal application are not true, please be sure to provide an explanation and supporting documentation for each untrue attestation detailing why it is not true. Documents may be uploaded on the documents page of the renewal; the Board will contact you if it requires more information. The Board will review the provided explanation(s) and supporting documentation regarding the untrue statement(s) and will make a determination regarding renewal eligibility. If a determination is made that you are not eligible to renew your license you may appeal the decision.
Late fees
If your completed renewal application and payment are not received by your renewal date, your license will expire. You must cease practice and you will be required to pay a late fee in order to renew.
Mandated reporter requirements
-Pursuant to G.L. c. 119, s. 51A, psychologists are required to report child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families.
-Pursuant to G.L. c. 19A, s. 14-26, psychologists are required to report abuse/neglect (including self-neglect) of an elderly person (age 60+) to the Department of Elder Affairs.
-Pursuant to G.L. c. 19C, s. 1-13, psychologists are required to report abuse/neglect of disabled persons to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission.
Mandated training in domestic and sexual violence
To renew your license, you must complete a Board-approved training in domestic and sexual violence. If you cannot attest that you have completed the training, your license will not be renewed, even if you complete and submit the renewal. A list of approved trainings, including a free online training, is available here. You only need to complete an approved training once and not again before each renewal. You will receive credit for 2 CEs for the licensing cycle in which you take the training.
Name and/or address changes
You may make mailing address changes as part of your online renewal. Be advised that the mailing address on record with the Board is a PUBLIC RECORD, freely available to anyone who calls the Board. If you are using your home address, you may wish to change this to an office address or PO BOX. To prevent the delay of your license renewal, name changes must be made after you renew your license
Risk management
Please be mindful of the importance of consultation in one's clinical work, and the necessity of sufficient training in specialized or high risk areas of practice.
Social Security Number (SSN) notice:
Pursuant to G.L.c.30A, s.13A, the Board was required to obtain your SSN. Your SSN will be used to ensure compliance with all laws of the Commonwealth relating to taxes, reporting of employees and contractors, and withholding and remitting child support pursuant to G.L.c.62C, s.47A and s.49A. Under certain circumstances, your SSN also may be used to determine compliance with other federal, state or local laws as required by statute. You do not need to provide your SSN unless the Board specifically requests it.
Unlicensed practice
You may NOT practice with an expired license or use the title "psychologist" unless you have a current Massachusetts license. A licensee who practices with an expired license may be subject to formal discipline. A licensee who practices with a license that has been expired for more than 90 days may be subject to civil administrative penalties of up to $2,500 per violation.
Please be aware that if you are not certified as a Health Service Provider, you are not qualified to independently offer health services to the public in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or to supervise such health services in Massachusetts.
Unlicensed individuals who have a doctoral degree in Psychology from a Designated Doctoral Program, who practice
independently under such titles as "psychotherapist" or "mental health clinician" and/or who practice without supervision by a qualified supervisor are considered by the Board of Registration to be practicing Psychology without a license. The Board regards such action as an attempt to circumvent the Psychology licensing law and subject to discipline and/or criminal prosecution.
NOTICE: Important Information Regarding MassHealth Enrollment Requirement for Psychologists: Pursuant to provisions of the Affordable Care Act, licensed psychologists must now apply to enroll in MassHealth as a non-billing or full-billing provider. Licensees are encouraged to apply to enroll as soon as possible. Attestation to this will be required for renewal.
VALOR Act
Active duty military please see VALOR Act or call (800) 414–0168 for VALOR Act provisions.
MassHealth
To renew, all psychologists must apply to be a fully participating or a non-billing provider for MassHealth, regardless of whether you have an active practice or where your practice is located. If you cannot attest that you have applied, your license will not be renewed, even if you complete and submit the renewal.
For information on how to apply, contact the MassHealth Customer Service Center for Providers:
Main: (800) 841-2900
TTY: (800) 497-4648
providersupport@mahealth.net
Patients First
On January 1, 2021, the Governor signed An Act Promoting a Resilient Health Care System that Puts Patients First (“Patients First”) into law which makes significant changes to the state’s healthcare laws.
• Health care providers, including psychologists, now must tell patients how much patients will pay for planned hospital stays, medical procedures, health care services, and referrals based on the patient’s specific health insurance plan.
• These requirements began on January 1, 2022.
• These requirements also authorize the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to fine providers who fail to comply with a penalty up to $2,500 for each instance of non-compliance. These penalties will take effect on July 1, 2022.
For more information, please visit Pricing Transparency Provisions of An Act Promoting a Resilient Health Care System that Puts Patients First (“Patients First”).