The postdoctoral year must consist of a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised experience and be completed within a consecutive four year period. This experience must occur after all requirements of the doctoral program are completed. Typically, this period follows the
internship year. “Trainee” status is not required for the postdoctoral year of the required supervised experience. The ratio for supervision time to direct service time should be sufficient to ensure adequate learning, namely, at least one hour per week of formal, face-to-face,
individual supervision. Examples of acceptable experience include supervised postdoctoral employment and formal postdoctoral training programs.

Acceptable postdoctoral supervised experience must meet the following requirements:

1) A minimum of 1,500 hours of creditable supervised experience must be satisfactorily
completed.

2) It consists of direct, formal contact with a senior person who is responsible for the educational development and guidance of the trainee or supervisee. Excluded are classwork, practicum experience, or other course-related experience.

3a) The supervision must be for the direct provision of health services in psychology by the applicant to individuals or groups of clients/patients. Applicant supervision of others is not direct service provision.

- Or -

3b) A minimum of 1,500 hours of creditable supervised experience is completed in an organized postdoctoral training program accredited by APA or listed by APPIC.

Supervisors must meet the following qualifications:

1) Supervisors must be licensed/certified/registered for practice in their respective professions at the time of applicant’s experience.

2) The professional qualifications of each direct supervisor must be appropriate to the services rendered. Applicants must provide evidence of the qualifications of direct supervisors identified in the application. A supervisor’s current credentialing by the National Register is usually considered as successfully satisfying the requirements.

3) A supervisor, at the time of supervision, must not be in a dual relationship with the supervisee, e.g., be a spouse, other close relative, or therapist.

Print the National Register Postdoctoral Supervisor Confirmation Form

 If you have any questions or comments regarding the criteria to become a Health Service Provider in Psychology, contact kim@nationalregister.org.