Mental Health Milestone: Arkansas Opens Doors for Master’s-Level Psychologists

During the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session, state legislators passed Act 433, authorizing psychologists to practice independently in Arkansas after obtaining masters-level training and licensure. Until now, independent practice as a psychologist was limited to professionals with doctoral degrees.

In 2021, the American Psychological Association (APA) approved new standards of accreditation which allow for independent practice by master’s-level psychological practitioners. Arkansas is the first state to pass legislation following these new standards.

Act 433 is transformational for our state in many ways, including:

Eliminating barriers to accessing care

According to the Arkansas Health Professions Manpower Statistics (2023), 39% of Arkansas counties did not have a registered psychologist, and 16% had only one. Act 433 will help expand access to care for Arkansans, addressing current barriers such as the limited number of licensed clinicians in our state.

Expanding our workforce

As of September 2024, Arkansas (289.6) had 17% fewer mental health providers per 100,000 people than the national average (344.9) — ranking 31st in the nation (source: America’s Health Rankings, 2024). Shortages can lead to limited care options, longer wait times, and increased burden on existing providers. This new legislation will establish a new career path for master’s educated psychological practitioners in Arkansas, addressing our urgent need for workforce expansion.

Reducing the cost of education

The average cost to obtain a Ph.D. in the U.S. is approximately $250,000 and takes a minimum of five years, while the average cost of obtaining a master’s degree is closer to $40,000 and typically only takes two years to complete. This reduction in cost to become a licensed practitioner of psychology will support the recruitment of interested students and ease the burden on our state’s healthcare workforce.

Dr. Ana Bridges, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas and Director of the clinical psychology doctoral program, explained the significance of passing this legislation.

“With the passage of Act 433, Arkansas has taken a bold and visionary step toward bridging the widening gap between the state’s mental health needs and the availability of a qualified psychology workforce. This landmark legislation positions Arkansas to serve as a national model—drawing talent to our region and empowering highly trained master’s-level psychology professionals to deliver science-based care with greater autonomy and impact.”

Dr. Sarah Bemis, Associate Vice President of Policy and Workforce at the Heartland Whole Health Institute stressed the importance of strategic advocacy when addressing long-standing issues in health care.

“Act 433 is a textbook example of how addressing a root workforce bottleneck can unlock a wave of untapped talent and resources. By empowering master’s-level psychological practitioners to serve independently, we’re not just expanding our workforce, we’re expanding access to care for every Arkansan. This is how we build a healthier, more resilient state.”