0180 - Psychology Series

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This series covers positions involving professional work relating to the behavior, capacities, traits, interests and activities of human and animal organisms. This work may involve any one or a combination of the following functions: (1) experimenting with or systematically observing organisms to develop scientific principles or laws concerning the relationship of behavior to factors of environment, experience, or physiology, or to develop practical applications of findings; (2) applying professional knowledge of psychological principles, theories, methods, or data to practical situations and problems; and (3) providing consultative services or training in psycho-logical principles, theories, methods, and techniques to advance knowledge of them and their appropriate use.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the SOCIAL SCIENCE, PSYCHOLOGY, AND WELFARE GROUP, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

  • 0101 - Social Science Series
  • 0102 - Social Science Aid and Technician Series
  • 0105 - Social Insurance Administration Series
  • 0106 - Unemployment Insurance Series
  • 0107 - Health Insurance Administration Series
  • 0110 - Economist Series
  • 0119 - Economics Assistant Series
  • 0130 - Foreign Affairs Series
  • 0131 - International Relations Series
  • 0132 - Intelligence Series
  • 0134 - Intelligence Aid and Clerk Series
  • 0135 - Foreign Agricultural Affairs Series
  • 0136 - International Cooperation Series
  • 0140 - Workforce Research and Analysis Series
  • 0142 - Workforce Development Series
  • 0150 - Geography Series
  • 0160 - Civil Rights Analysis Series
  • 0170 - History Series
  • 0181 - Psychology Aid and Technician Series
  • 0184 - Sociology Series
  • 0185 - Social Work Series
  • 0186 - Social Services Aid and Assistant Series
  • 0187 - Social Services Series
  • 0188 - Recreation Specialist Series
  • 0189 - Recreation Aid and Assistant Series
  • 0190 - General Anthropology Series
  • 0193 - Archeology Series
  • 0199 - Social Science Student Trainee Series

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
National Certified Counselor (NCC) In DemandIs In Demand National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) In DemandIs In Demand National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) someSome    
Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) In DemandIs In Demand National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) someSome    
Certified Cognitive Thrapist Is Not In Demand Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT) someSome    
Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) someSome    
Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Health Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) someSome    
Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Neuropsychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) otherOther    
Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) mostMost    
Board Certified Specialist in Couple and Family Psychology (CFP) Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) someSome    
Board Certified Specialist in Forensic Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) otherOther    
Board Certified Specialist in Group Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) someSome    
Board Certified Specialist in Psychoanalysis in Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) otherOther    
Board Certified Specialist in Rehabilitation Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) someSome    
Board Certified Specialist in School Psychology Is Not In Demand American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) someSome    
Certified Vocational Expert (Fellow) Is Not In Demand American Board of Vocational Experts someSome    
Associate Human Factors Professional Is Not In Demand Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) someSome    
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) In DemandIs In Demand Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) Is Not In Demand Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) someSome    
Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) Is Not In Demand American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Is Not In Demand National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) someSome GI BillGI Bill  
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) In DemandIs In Demand Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Psychologist Is Not In Demand Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Human Factors Professional Is Not In Demand Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) someSome    
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Is Not In Demand Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) Is Not In Demand National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) otherOther GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Correctional Health Professional - Mental Health (CCHP-MH) Is Not In Demand National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) otherOther GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Correctional Health Professional - Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN) Is Not In Demand National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) otherOther    
Certified Correctional Health Professional - Physician (CCHP-P) Is Not In Demand National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) otherOther    
Certified Correctional Health Professional - Advanced (CCHP-A) Is Not In Demand National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) otherOther GI BillGI Bill  
Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Adult/ Juvenile Correctional Officer (CBHC-CO) Is Not In Demand American Correctional Association (ACA) otherOther    
Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Community Corrections Officer (CBHC-CC) Is Not In Demand American Correctional Association (ACA) otherOther    
Correctional Behavioral Health Certification - Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS) Is Not In Demand American Correctional Association (ACA) otherOther    

State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 0180 - Psychology Series. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Clinical Psychologists mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Counseling Psychologists mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists mostMost     find local salaryfind local salary
Marriage and Family Therapists someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Mental Health Counselors someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Psychiatrists someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Rehabilitation Counselors someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Social and Human Service Assistants someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Top
This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to National Certified Counselor (NCC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) is an intermediate-level certification for practitioners of behavioral health and psychology. NCC is a prerequisite for follow-on for advanced-level NBCC certifications; this is the primary credential of the NBCC. Requirements for obtaining the NCC credential include; holding a graduate degree in counseling (or one with a major study in counseling) from a regionally accredited college or university, graduate-level coursework in specified coursework areas, practical experience in providing counseling service, and a passing the associated National Counselor Exam (NCE).

Click here to go to Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) is an advanced-level credential for professionals who practice clinical mental health counseling. CCMHCs diagnose and treat mental illness, often working as part of a health care team which may include doctors, nurse specialists, psychologists, and social workers. Candidates for the CCMHC are required to meet extensive educational, experiential, training, and other requirements. Candidates must take a written exam.

Click here to go to Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Cognitive Thrapist COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychologists. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychologists apply experimental-clinical approaches to understanding human behavior and develop interventions that enhance the human condition. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychologists engage in research, education, training, and clinical practice for a variety problems and populations. Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology credential must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Health Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Health Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for Clinical Health Psychologists. Clinical Health Psychologists apply scientific knowledge of the inter-relationships among behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social, and biological components in health and disease to the promotion and maintenance of health; the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness and disability; and the improvement of the health care system. Clinical Health Psychologists work in academic medical centers, hospitals, private practice, outpatient clinics, academia, government settings, and administrative offices. Clinical Health Psychologists often engage in research, practice, and teaching clinical health psychology. Candidates must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for professionals who provide both general practice and health services within professional psychology. Clinical Psychologists provide professional services related to the diagnosis, assessment, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of psychological, emotional, psychophysiological, and behavioral disorders in individuals across the life-span. In addition to the generic requirements for board certification, the Clinical Psychology specialty requires completion of an organized doctoral education and training program in Clinical Psychology, including an internship, the specialty also requires postdoctoral supervised practice and related experience. Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology credential must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for professionals who provide psychotherapy, assessment, teaching, research, supervision, career development, and consultation. Counseling Psychologists provide professional psychological care to support personal and interpersonal functioning with a focus on individual, group, and community interventions for emotional, behavioral, vocational, and mental health problems using preventative, developmental, and remedial approaches, and in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychopathology. Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology credential must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Couple and Family Psychology (CFP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Couple and Family Psychology (CFP) credential is an advanced-level certification for Couple and Family Psychologists. Couple and Family Psychology is a general professional psychology specialty. Couple and Family Psychologists assess and treat psychological health and pathology issues, including affective, cognitive, behavioral, and dynamic factors for individuals, couples, families, and larger social systems. Candidates for the CFP credential must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Group Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Group Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for Group Psychologists. Group Psychologists support groups of individuals. Group specialty practice is based upon group dynamics principles such as communication, leadership, member-leader interactions, power, norms, and stages. Group Psychologist and group members explore roles, norms, stages, and group therapeutic factors by engaging in interpersonal interactions to ameliorate symptoms, learn new ways of behaving, and enact character change, depending upon the focus of the group. Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Group Psychology credential must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in Rehabilitation Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Rehabilitation Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for Rehabilitation Psychologists. Rehabilitation Psychologists support individuals with disabilities; they assist individuals in coping with and adjusting to chronic, traumatic, or congenital injuries or illnesses that may result in a wide variety of physical, sensory, neurocognitive, emotional, and developmental disabilities. Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Rehabilitation Psychology must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Board Certified Specialist in School Psychology COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in School Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for School Psychologists. School Psychologists promote the educational and personal development of all learners. They diagnose, assess and consult with the objective of providing individual, group, and family intervention; they support prevention, health promotion, program development, evaluation, and research services with a special focus on the developmental processes of children and youth within the context of schools, families, and other systems. Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in School Psychology must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

Click here to go to Certified Vocational Expert (Fellow) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Associate Human Factors Professional COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) COOL Snapshot page.

Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) certification is intended for professionals working within addiction related disciplines who wish to demonstrate their specialized addiction treatment skills gained through years of supervised work experience and specific graduate coursework. This is a high level certification. Applicants must hold current state certification/licensure as an alcoholism and/or drug abuse counselor from the list of accepted state credentials. They must hold 500 hours of education and training to include Master's degree in the healing arts- counseling, social work, family therapy, nursing, psychology, or other human services field and three years of supervised experience - two-thirds of which must be post-master's degree award. The certification examination is distributed over four areas: pharmacology of psychoactive substances, counseling practice, theoretical base of counseling, and professional issues.

Click here to go to Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders, Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) certification is for health care professionals in the field of addictive disorders, which includes specializations in the following five areas: alcohol addiction, drug addiction, eating disorders, gambling disorders, and sex addiction. The CAS is a clinical certification based upon experience providing treatment under the direction of a qualified clinical supervisor, specialized training, and a written examination.

Click here to go to Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is an intermediate-level certification for individuals who conduct professional behavior analysis. BCBAs are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services. In addition, BCBAs supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians, and others who implement behavior-analytic interventions.

Click here to go to Psychologist COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Human Factors Professional COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is an entry-level behavior-analytic certification. The RBT is recommended for paraprofessionals who practice under the close, ongoing supervision of an individual who has earned an advanced Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) credential (such as the BCBA or BCaBA). The RBT is primarily responsible for the direct implementation of behavior-analytic services.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Clinical Psychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Clinical Psychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Counseling Psychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Counseling Psychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Marriage and Family Therapists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Marriage and Family Therapists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Mental Health Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Mental Health Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Psychiatrists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Psychiatrists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Rehabilitation Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Rehabilitation Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Social and Human Service Assistants
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Social and Human Service Assistants
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors