Skip to content
MedicSailHealthcare licensing consultants
Psychologists

Work abroad as a psychologist: UK, Ireland, EU and US (2026)

Psychology is regulated very differently across the countries we cover. The UK protects practitioner titles, Ireland's register is not open yet, Germany regulates psychotherapists rather than psychologists, the Netherlands registers healthcare psychologists in the BIG register, and the USA licenses state by state after the EPPP.

Overview

To work as a psychologist abroad you need HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist in the UK, the Approbation as a psychotherapist in Germany, BIG registration in the Netherlands (for regulated titles such as GZ-psycholoog), and in the USA, where most jurisdictions require a doctorate, the EPPP and a state licence.

Ireland's CORU register for psychologists has not yet published an international route. Practitioner psychologists assess and treat mental health and behavioural problems in health services, schools, prisons, workplaces and private practice. This hub is for psychologists trained outside the country they want to work in. In every country here, what counts is not the word "psychologist" on your degree but whether your training, and especially your supervised practice, matches the level the regulator expects. For clinical work that level is high: UK clinical psychologists train through a three-year doctorate, and most US states require a doctorate in clinical, counselling or school psychology.

The UK regulates practitioner psychologists through the HCPC in seven domains: clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational, and sport and exercise. Titles such as clinical psychologist and registered psychologist are protected. In Ireland, psychologists are not yet regulated: CORU says the first three registers (clinical, counselling and educational psychologists) are now expected in 2027, with other specialisms later. Until then there is no CORU recognition route, and HSE posts set their own entry requirements.

Germany regulates psychotherapists, not psychologists. The official recognition portal says psychologist is not a regulated profession, so you can work as one if your degree is shown to be comparable, for example through the anabin database or a ZAB Statement of Comparability. To treat patients as a psychotherapist you need Approbation from the state authority, German at B2 and usually a specialist language examination at C2, which the state Chamber of Psychotherapists normally runs.

The Netherlands registers healthcare psychologists (GZ-psycholoog) and psychotherapists in the BIG register. The BIG register says that a master's in psychology alone is not enough to work as a healthcare psychologist: you need recognition of your diploma and BIG registration, and recognition usually involves an adjustment period because Dutch training differs. The USA has no national licence. Each state board sets education and supervised experience rules, and almost all require the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), developed by ASPPB, plus a local law exam in most jurisdictions.

Pay and demand are strong for those who complete these routes. The BLS reports a median of $99,110 for psychologists in May 2025 and projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035. In the UK, qualified clinical psychologists start at NHS Band 7. HSE psychologists in Ireland are paid on a scale starting at €63,222 from 1 June 2026, though without a CORU register, HSE employers judge your qualification directly.

Qualifications

Minimum

A postgraduate qualification in applied psychology that let you practise independently in your home country, including supervised practice in your field. Most US states require a doctorate in clinical, counselling or school psychology, and German psychotherapist Approbation requires an academic qualification and training equivalent to the German one.

Preferred

A professional doctorate or equivalent (for example a DClinPsy, PsyD or PhD in clinical or counselling psychology) with documented supervised clinical hours, assessment and intervention training, and a registration or licence in good standing where you trained.

Experience

Post-qualification supervised practice is often what closes the gap. The HCPC assesses your whole career against your domain's standards, US boards require supervised experience equivalent to that of US-trained applicants, and the Dutch BIG register says recognition usually involves an adjustment period.

Country by country

United Kingdom: HCPC

Practitioner psychologist and registered psychologist, plus clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational, and sport and exercise psychologist.

Requirements
Training relevant to one of the seven HCPC domains that first allowed you to practise, with supervised practice in that domain. You map your evidence to both the generic and the domain-specific standards of proficiency.
Exams
No written exam. Two psychologists from your domain assess the file and may offer a test of competence, a structured professional discussion usually held online.
English
IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 or the TOEFL iBT scores, unless exempt. OET is not accepted for practitioner psychologists.
Timeline
The HCPC says about 3 months for assessment and 3 months for verification. It currently reports assessment delays for sport and exercise psychologists.
Good to know
Scrutiny fee £678.38; registration fee usually £370.02. Clinical psychologists use SOC 2225 and other psychologists SOC 2226 for the Health and Care Worker visa.
Psychologists in the United Kingdom: full guide
About the HCPCWorking in the United Kingdom

Ireland: CORU

Psychologist titles will be protected once CORU opens the Psychologists Register. CORU says only registered people will then be able to use the title.

Requirements
The register is not open. CORU says the first three registers (clinical, counselling and educational psychologists) are now expected in 2027, with other specialisms to follow after a public consultation expected in autumn 2026.
Exams
None yet. CORU has not published an international recognition process for psychologists.
English
Not yet set for psychologists. For CORU registers already open, the standard is IELTS Academic 7.0 with no element below 6.5 or OET grade B (350) in three components and C+ (300) in one.
Timeline
Depends on when the registers open. Until then, HSE and other employers assess your qualification against each job specification.
Good to know
HSE pay scales include trainee clinical, counselling and educational psychology grades and qualified clinical, counselling and educational psychologist grades.
About CORUWorking in Ireland

Germany: State licensing authorities (Approbation)

Psychotherapeut/Psychotherapeutin (psychotherapist), with Approbation. Psychologist (Psychologe) on its own is not a regulated profession.

Requirements
Approbation from the competent state authority: equivalence of your qualification, personal aptitude (certificates of good conduct from Germany and your home country), medical fitness and German. Documents must be in German, translated by sworn or authorised translators.
Exams
If your training is not equivalent, the portal says you can take a knowledge test as a compensation measure for qualifications from outside the EU. The authority can also register you for the specialist language examination, usually run by the state Chamber of Psychotherapists.
Language
German at CEFR B2 and usually a specialist language examination at C2, with some exceptions the authority will tell you about.
Timeline
The authority confirms receipt within one month and must decide within 4 months of a complete application, unless it extends the procedure.
Good to know
Approbation costs €100 to €430, plus translations, any report from the Central Assessment Agency for Healthcare Professions (GfG) and compensation measures. Non-clinical psychologists need only an anabin extract or a ZAB Statement of Comparability.
Psychologists in Germany: full guide
State licensing authorities (Approbation)Working in Germany

Netherlands: BIG

Gezondheidszorgpsycholoog (healthcare psychologist, GZ-psycholoog) and psychotherapeut, both BIG-registered professions.

Requirements
For a diploma from outside the EU, the certificate of competence procedure. The CBGV compares your education, diploma and work experience with Dutch standards. The BIG register says a master's in psychology alone does not let you work as a healthcare psychologist.
Exams
The BI-test applies only to doctors, dentists and nurses. For psychologists, the BIG register says recognition usually involves an adjustment period because training differs from the Dutch one.
Language
Dutch at the level required for the profession plus English reading, through certificates obtained within two years. The BIG register's language page does not list the level for psychologists, so confirm it with the CIBG.
Timeline
The BIG register says the certificate of competence procedure takes between 6 months and 1.5 years, and any additional training between 3 months and 2 years.
Good to know
The application and CBGV assessment are currently free; BIG registration costs €85. Specialist registrations follow a separate specialisation procedure on the BIG register site.
Psychologists in the Netherlands: full guide
About the BIG registerWorking in the Netherlands

United States: ASPPB (EPPP)

The EPPP is the licensing exam; ASPPB does not issue licences itself.

Requirements
Your state board must approve you as a candidate first. ASPPB says internationally trained applicants must show their education and supervised experience are equivalent, usually through a NACES member credential evaluation.
Exams
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) is required in all ASPPB jurisdictions; EPPP (Part 2-Skills) only in some. Part 1 domains run from biological bases of behaviour (10%) to assessment and diagnosis (16%) and ethical, legal and professional issues (16%). ASPPB plans a single integrated EPPP from fall 2027.
English
No separate English test set by ASPPB. Boards may set their own requirement.
Timeline
After board approval you must sit within 12 months of registering, unless your board sets an earlier deadline.
Good to know
In late 2025 ASPPB listed $600 for Part 1, $450 for Part 2 and a $91.88 Pearson VUE appointment fee. ASPPB's site blocked our checks, so we read it through the Internet Archive; confirm current fees.
Psychologists in the United States: full guide
Working in the United States

United States: State psychology boards

Licensed psychologist (the title is protected under each state's law).

Requirements
ASPPB says most US jurisdictions require a doctorate in clinical, counselling or school psychology, and each state sets its own education and supervised experience rules.
Exams
The EPPP, plus in most jurisdictions an exam on local mental health law and rules.
English
Set by each state board.
Timeline
Varies by state and depends on how long your credential evaluation and any extra supervised hours take.
Good to know
The BLS says most states require licensure for those who provide psychology services or use the title psychologist, and all states require continuing education.
Psychologists in the United States: full guide
Working in the United States

The route, step by step

  1. Work out which title you can realistically reach

    Compare your training with the standard in each country: an HCPC domain in the UK, GZ-psycholoog in the Netherlands, psychotherapist Approbation in Germany or a doctoral-level licence in the USA. A master's degree without supervised practice will meet few of these. In Ireland, wait for CORU to open the register or apply to employers directly.

  2. Collect detailed evidence of supervised practice

    Ask your university and supervisors for documents that show placement settings, hours, client groups and supervision arrangements. The HCPC course information form needs practical hours, US boards look for supervised experience equivalent to their own, and the Dutch CBGV compares your training in detail.

  3. Get your degree evaluated where required

    In the USA, use a NACES member organisation, as ASPPB recommends. In Germany, check anabin or apply to the ZAB for a Statement of Comparability if you will work as a psychologist rather than a psychotherapist.

  4. Pass the language requirement

    For the UK, IELTS 7.0 (no element below 6.5) or TOEFL iBT; OET is not accepted for psychologists. For Germany, German B2 and usually a C2 specialist language examination for psychotherapists. For the Netherlands, Dutch and English reading certificates at the level the CIBG sets. Start early, because the language step is often the longest part of the German route.

  5. Apply to the regulator or state board

    Apply to the HCPC (£678.38 scrutiny fee), the German state authority for Approbation (€100 to €430), the CIBG (currently free) or the US state board where you want a licence. In the USA the board approves you before you can register for the EPPP.

  6. Meet any compensation measure or exam

    Expect a test of competence in the UK if the file is borderline, a knowledge test in Germany, an adjustment period in the Netherlands, or the EPPP (and sometimes Part 2 and a law exam) in the USA. Each decision letter or board approval lists what you still need.

  7. Register and keep your status current

    Pay the registration fee (HCPC, BIG), receive your Approbation, or receive your state licence. Keep home-country registrations in good standing, since every regulator verifies them.

  8. Find a post and check the visa route

    In the UK, clinical psychologists use SOC 2225 and other psychologists SOC 2226 on the Health and Care Worker visa, but council-employed roles may need a different route. Elsewhere, confirm with the employer which permit applies before you move.

Exam preparation

The only national written licensing exam here is the US Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Part 1 (Knowledge) is required in all ASPPB jurisdictions and is weighted across eight domains; Part 2 (Skills) is required only in some, and ASPPB plans to replace both with one integrated exam from fall 2027. Germany sets a knowledge test and a C2 specialist language exam for psychotherapists. The UK and the Netherlands assess your file, with a professional discussion or adjustment period where gaps remain.

Tips

  • Check with your US state board whether you need Part 2 as well as Part 1, and whether your sitting falls before or after the fall 2027 switch to the integrated EPPP.
  • ASPPB recommends taking Part 1 soon after your academic training and Part 2 only after you finish your board's supervised experience.
  • Study to the published EPPP domain weights: assessment and diagnosis and ethics are 16% each, research methods and statistics 7%.
  • Review US ethics and law separately. Most jurisdictions also set a local mental health law exam.
  • For the HCPC, map each generic and domain-specific standard to a case you handled, in your own words. AI-written or copied content is prohibited.
  • For German psychotherapy, prepare for the C2 specialist language exam with clinical case presentations and patient conversations in German, not just general language study.
  • Book exams well ahead: fees are non-refundable and rescheduling inside 32 days costs extra, according to ASPPB.

Topics that come up

  • Biological bases of behaviour and psychopharmacology
  • Cognitive-affective bases of behaviour
  • Social and cultural bases of behaviour
  • Growth and lifespan development
  • Assessment, psychometrics and diagnosis
  • Treatment, intervention, prevention and supervision
  • Research methods and statistics
  • Ethical, legal and professional issues
  • Risk assessment and safeguarding
  • Formulation and evidence-based therapies
  • Consultation and multidisciplinary work

Pay by country

Pay comes from official scales where they exist. The UK and Ireland have national public-sector scales; Germany and the Netherlands have no single national figure we could confirm; the US figure is the BLS national median. Currency and year are given in each row.

  • UK£49,387 to £56,515 (Band 7, newly qualified clinical psychologist), £57,528 to £64,750 at Band 8a (NHS Agenda for Change, 2026/27)NHS Health Careers says qualified clinical psychologists are paid at Band 7. Council-employed psychologists use different scales.
  • Ireland€63,222 to €108,234 (Psychologist, clinical, counselling or educational); €100,483 to €118,111 (Senior) (HSE scales from 1 June 2026)Principal clinical psychologist €117,272 to €135,950. Long service increments apply on top.
  • GermanySet by employer or collective agreement; no national figure confirmedPay depends on the employer and any collective agreement that applies. Ask employers which agreement and pay group they use.
  • NetherlandsSet by the sector collective agreement (CAO); figures not confirmedMental health employers pay under their CAO scales. Check the scale in the job advertisement.
  • USA$99,110 median annual pay for psychologists; $100,580 for clinical and counseling psychologists (BLS, May 2025)Pay varies by state, setting and specialty.

See your NHS band and annual pay

Career growth

Registered psychologists move up through senior clinical, specialist and leadership roles. The grades below are those the official scales use.

  1. Senior and principal psychologist

    Take on complex caseloads, supervision and service development. In the NHS this is usually Band 8a to 8b; the HSE has Senior and Principal Clinical Psychologist grades.

  2. Consultant or head of psychology

    Lead psychology across a service or organisation. NHS consultant and lead roles are often Band 8c and above, and the HSE has a Director of Psychology grade.

  3. Specialism in the Netherlands

    BIG-registered professionals can add a recognised specialism. The BIG register runs a separate specialisation procedure, so check its requirements once you hold your basic registration.

  4. Interstate practice in the USA

    Licensed psychologists can use ASPPB credentials such as the E.Passport and IPC, and practise across PSYPACT states, which helps with telepsychology work.

  5. Specialised psychotherapist in Germany

    The official recognition portal lists specialised psychotherapist titles for adults, for children and adolescents, and for neuropsychological psychotherapy. Each is a separate regulated title, so ask the state authority which applies to your training.

Common mistakes

  1. 1

    Applying with a master's degree and no supervised practice. Every regulator here looks for supervised applied practice at a level close to its own training, and many US states require a doctorate.

  2. 2

    Taking the OET for the UK. The HCPC does not accept OET for practitioner psychologists.

  3. 3

    Applying in the wrong HCPC domain. You are assessed against the domain you choose, so pick the one you can evidence best.

  4. 4

    Planning a move to Ireland on the assumption that CORU registration is open. CORU says the first psychology registers are now expected in 2027.

  5. 5

    Expecting German recognition as a psychologist to let you treat patients. Psychologist is not regulated in Germany; treating patients requires psychotherapist Approbation and German at a high level.

  6. 6

    Underestimating the German language requirement. Psychotherapists usually need a C2 specialist language exam on top of B2.

  7. 7

    Registering for the EPPP before your state board has approved you. ASPPB says the board must approve you first, and exam fees are non-refundable.

  8. 8

    Missing the local law exam in the USA. Most jurisdictions add one on top of the EPPP.

How we help psychologists

  • Review of your qualifications, transcripts, experience and current registration

  • Check against the published requirements of the regulators you choose

  • Check of how recent your practice is and whether any gap in practice affects your route

  • English or other language requirement for each route, with any exemption you may qualify for

  • Comparison of routes and countries, with the trade-offs explained

  • List of the exams, aptitude tests or adaptation periods each route is likely to involve

  • Written roadmap: exams, English test, documents, fees and timeline

  • Budget built from the official regulator, exam and verification fees, kept separate from our own fee

  • Flags for slow steps to start first, such as primary source verification and language learning

  • A call to walk you through the plan and answer your questions

What our eligibility assessment includesPackages and fees

Questions

The HCPC protects practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist and seven domain titles such as clinical and counselling psychologist. You need HCPC registration to use any of them.

Not yet. CORU says the first three psychology registers (clinical, counselling and educational) are now expected in 2027, with other specialisms later. Until then, employers assess your qualification directly.

No. The official recognition portal says psychologist is not regulated, so you need only show your degree is comparable, for example through anabin or a ZAB Statement of Comparability. Psychotherapist is regulated and needs Approbation.

German at CEFR B2, and usually a specialist language examination at C2. The state Chamber of Psychotherapists normally runs the specialist exam.

Not on the master's alone. The BIG register says you need recognition of your diploma and BIG registration, and recognition usually involves an adjustment period.

The BIG register says the certificate of competence procedure takes between 6 months and 1.5 years. Any additional training adds 3 months to 2 years.

ASPPB says most US jurisdictions require a doctorate in clinical, counselling or school psychology. Each state sets its own rules, so check with the board where you want to work.

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, developed by ASPPB. Part 1 (Knowledge) is required in all its jurisdictions and Part 2 (Skills) in some. ASPPB plans a single integrated exam from fall 2027.

In late 2025 ASPPB listed $600 for Part 1 and $450 for Part 2, plus a $91.88 Pearson VUE appointment fee. Fees are non-refundable; check the current figures with ASPPB before you register.

No. The HCPC accepts IELTS (7.0, no element below 6.5) or TOEFL iBT for practitioner psychologists.

In 2026/27 qualified NHS clinical psychologists start at Band 7 (£49,387 to £56,515). HSE psychologists are on €63,222 to €108,234 from 1 June 2026. The BLS median for US psychologists was $99,110 in May 2025.

Clinical psychologists are SOC 2225 and other practitioner psychologists SOC 2226. Both are eligible for new Health and Care Worker visa applications.

Sources

  1. 1HCPC: International applications
  2. 2HCPC: Certificate of English language proficiency
  3. 3HCPC: Registration fees for applicants
  4. 4HCPC: Standards of proficiency for practitioner psychologists
  5. 5NHS Health Careers: Clinical psychologist
  6. 6NHS Employers: Pay scales for 2026/27
Show all 25 sources
  1. 7GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa eligible occupations and codes
  2. 8CORU: Statutory regulation of psychologists
  3. 9CORU: What is CORU
  4. 10CORU: Language requirements
  5. 11HSE: Consolidated pay scales from 1 June 2026
  6. 12Anerkennung in Deutschland: Psychotherapist, recognition finder (Berlin)
  7. 13Anerkennung in Deutschland: Psychologist, recognition finder (Berlin)
  8. 14BIG register: Certificate of competence
  9. 15BIG register: Processing time and costs
  10. 16BIG register: Dutch language proficiency
  11. 17BIG register: Questions and answers on procedures
  12. 18BIG register: CBGV
  13. 19ASPPB: Internationally trained applicants (Internet Archive snapshot, March 2025)
  14. 20ASPPB: EPPP content areas (Internet Archive snapshot, November 2025)
  15. 21ASPPB: EPPP registration and fees (Internet Archive snapshot, November 2025)
  16. 22ASPPB: Which exam should I take (Internet Archive snapshot, October 2025)
  17. 23ASPPB: 2027 EPPP content specifications announcement (Internet Archive snapshot, February 2026)
  18. 24BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists
  19. 25NHS Employers: Recruitment of overseas allied health professionals

Keep exploring

More for psychologists