The category in brief
Your packet should document the professional work offered by the U.S. employer, the credential route in this list entry, and the requested temporary stay. Bring facts that agree across the signed letter and your supporting documents.
Keep the list’s licence-first order and its Licenciatura alternative. Licensing rules vary by state; check the state where you'll work.
What the TN list requires
State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree.
TN profession list, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of USMCA Chapter 16 (8 CFR 214.6(c))
The “or” matters: the quoted routes are alternatives, not a demand to hold every credential. Copy the credential exactly from the documents you actually hold; do not add an alternative the entry does not name.
The licence route comes first. This entry does not state a doctorate or PhD requirement, and it does not replace Licenciatura Degree with an unspecified bachelor’s degree.
What to explain at the counter
- Describe professional-level work using the employer’s real responsibilities.
- State the temporary period requested, up to three years, with actual start and end dates.
- Keep the letter, résumé, offer details and interview answers consistent.
- Keep the list’s licence-first order and its Licenciatura alternative. Licensing rules vary by state; check the state where you'll work.
TNPath doesn't assess whether your evidence is sufficient; that's the officer's call
If the role or credential route is unclear, consider speaking with a U.S. immigration lawyer.
Describe the actual duties
These occupational examples are prompts drawn from the BLS description, not facts about your job. Use only responsibilities your employer confirms; write them in the employer’s own terms.
- Conduct psychological interviews and assessments
- Analyze patterns in behavior and cognition
- Administer psychological assessment instruments
- Interpret psychological assessment findings
- Develop psychological treatment plans
- Discuss assessment results with clients
- Research psychological processes and behavior
- Prepare reports of psychological findings
Never add, inflate or reword duties to fit a category. Every line in the letter should be something your employer will confirm and you can describe in your own words at the counter.
Job titles that draw questions
Titles such as Life Coach, Counsellor, Counselor, Human Resources Assistant can describe support work or another occupation. Keep the real title and describe the responsibilities honestly. TNPath’s wording flags are prompts for review, not USCIS category rulings.
Your employer must verify, approve and sign the final letter
Documents to bring
- Canadian passport
- Signed employer letter on company letterhead, original and copy
- Résumé matching the letter
- Offer letter, if any
- Means of paying the applicable CBP fee
- Evidence of the credential route quoted above, using the exact names on your records
See the full document checklist. Only include licence or bar details you affirm holding and can document.
Organize your Psychologist packet
Answer with your own facts, then inspect the free preview before deciding.
Check the state where you will work
Licensing rules vary by state; check the state where you'll work.
The list’s credential wording does not settle whether you may perform a particular role under state law. Confirm that with the state authority and your employer.
Common questions
Does the TN list require a doctorate or PhD?
The quoted list entry does not state a doctorate or PhD requirement. It reads “State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree.” State licensing requirements for the actual role are separate.
What credential order should the letter preserve?
Preserve the list’s order: state/provincial license first, then Licenciatura Degree. Do not substitute a general bachelor’s-degree requirement for that wording.
Which state practice rules should I check?
Licensing rules vary by state; check the state where you'll work. Ask the relevant state board and your employer about the actual position.
As a Canadian, do I need a TN visa before I go to the border?
No. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt and apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry or airport preclearance, with their documents in hand. The officer decides at the counter. People still search for "TN visa", but for Canadians it's a status granted at entry, not a visa stamp.
Will TNPath tell me whether I qualify?
No. TNPath is a document-assembly tool. It organizes the facts you provide into templates and gives general information. It doesn't make eligibility determinations or recommend case-specific strategy. Only U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides whether to admit you.
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.6(c): TN profession list (eCFR)
- USMCA Chapter 16, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A (USTR)
- CBP: Traveling on a TN or L-1 from Canada
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: occupational duties and practice context
Last reviewed October 2, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources before you travel.