What is the minimum number of hours pre-doctoral interns must spend in direct patient contact?

• A. 24 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 36 hours
• D. 60 hours

Answer: (B)

Minimum direct patient contact hours during pre-doctoral internship are set to ensure interns gain meaningful hands-on clinical experience under supervision. Direct patient contact means face-to-face work with clients or patients, such as intake assessments, therapy sessions, or administered psychological testing, happening under professional supervision. This threshold of 48 hours is the level that licensing boards typically require to demonstrate that the intern has engaged sufficiently in actual clinical work, not just observation or administrative tasks. Fewer hours would risk insufficient exposure to real cases, while more than the minimum isn’t usually required unless a program or jurisdiction specifically asks for it. The important point is that these hours are a concrete measure of direct clinical practice within the broader supervised training period. Always verify the exact requirements for your specific licensure board, as standards can vary by jurisdiction.