Do you need any experience to become a psychologist?

Yes, experience is required to become a psychologist. It depends on the jurisdiction, where the person lives, or the degree they are getting. Almost every jurisdiction has a board or regulatory authority that establishes requirements and standards for psychologists. Psychologists work with individuals who are vulnerable or in distress and there are ethical concerns, so education and experience are vital to ensure public protection and the competency of the psychologist. Education and training requirements often include supervised practice, a specified number of clinical hours, and a period of postdoctoral supervision or residency. The supervised clinical experience must be obtained in a diverse setting that involves working with a variety of mental health issues and populations. These requirements are in addition to the educational qualifications which typically require a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD).