The Michigan Board of Psychology was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 257 of 1959. On September 30, 1978, this authority was transferred to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended.

The Public Health Code defines the practice of psychology as the rendering to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public of services involving the application of principles, methods, and procedures of understanding, predicting, and influencing behavior for the purposes of the diagnosis, assessment related to diagnosis, prevention, amelioration, or treatment of mental or emotional disorders, disabilities or behavioral adjustment problems by means of psychotherapy, counseling, behavior modification, hypnosis, biofeedback techniques, psychological tests, or other verbal or behavioral means. The practice of psychology does not include the practice of medicine such as prescribing drugs, performing surgery, or administering electro-convulsive therapy.

The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. The Board implements this responsibility by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare.

The Michigan Board of Psychology consists of 9 voting members: 5 psychologists and 4 public members.

The board currently oversees approximately 2,799 Psychologists, 229 Doctoral Educational Limited and 3,570 Masters Limited.