How to Get Your Utah Psychology License
Utah faces serious mental health challenges, ranking 46th nationwide in illness prevalence and access to care. The state’s growing mental health needs make getting your Utah psychology license a great career move. Clinical, counseling, and school psychologist jobs in Utah will grow rapidly – projected at 24.3% between 2020 and 2030. This rate doubles the national average of 10.4%.
Your path to a Utah psychology license requires dedication and time. Most clinical or counseling psychologists spend 8-12 years completing their education and training before getting licensed. The financial rewards make this investment worthwhile. Utah psychologists earn between $90,100 and $90,800 on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Utah board of psychology has managed to keep high standards while overseeing about 850 clinical counseling and school psychologists who practice in the state.
This guide covers all essential details you need to get your psychology license in Utah. You’ll find information about educational requirements, supervised experience, examination details and continuing education requirements.
Educational pathways
Your path to becoming a licensed psychologist in Utah starts with undergraduate studies and concludes with doctoral-level education. A licensed psychologist in Utah must get either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from an accredited program.
Bachelor’s Degree Foundation
Students need a bachelor’s degree that takes four years of full-time study with about 120 semester credits. Your undergraduate degree doesn’t have to be in psychology. However, a psychology major builds a strong foundation for graduate studies. Students who choose other majors might need extra prerequisite courses before starting graduate programs.
Master’s Degree Considerations
Two options exist after finishing undergraduate education:
- Direct enrollment in a doctoral program (some include a master’s component)
- A separate master’s degree first
Psychology master’s programs usually last two years with 30-40 credit hours. This step remains optional but helps strengthen doctoral program applications and provides focused knowledge in your chosen field.
Doctoral Program Requirements
The foundation of Utah’s psychology license requirements lies in completing a doctoral degree from a program meeting these criteria:
- Regional accreditation
- American Psychological Association (APA) approval
- Recognition from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)/National Register Joint Designation Committee
Doctoral programs take 4-7 years depending on factors like whether they include a master’s component. Utah has several doctoral psychology programs worth exploring.
Leading Psychology Programs in Utah
The University of Utah’s PhD programs include:
- Clinical PhD Program (APA-accredited)
- Social PhD Program
- Cognition and Neural Science (CNS) PhD Program
- Developmental PhD Program
Brigham Young University-Provo and Utah State University rank among the top 150 psychology schools nationwide at positions 75, 131, and 148 respectively. These universities offer both campus-based and online programs that fit different learning priorities.
Educational Demographics of Utah Psychologists
Utah’s licensed psychologists mostly hold a PhD in Psychology (65.9%). PsyD holders make up 18.3%, while PhD in Counseling accounts for 9%. Utah stands third nationally in post-secondary educational achievement. About 61.1% of Utah’s population between 25-64 years has post-secondary credentials.
Special Educational Paths
School psychology offers different educational routes in Utah. School psychological practitioners can qualify with a master’s degree as stated in Utah Code § 58-61-304(7)(c). They need specific experience and recommendation letters from their educational institution and Utah education agencies.
Utah’s board of psychology upholds strict educational standards that maintain quality psychological services statewide. The educational experience spans 8-12 years total. This thorough preparation will give you the tools to handle Utah’s growing mental health needs after licensure.
Supervised Experience Requirements
Your doctoral program completion marks just the beginning of your experience toward getting a Utah psychology license. You must meet extensive supervised experience requirements that the Utah Board of Psychology mandates.
You need to complete 4,000 hours of supervised professional experience. This supervised training should last between two to four years. We completed these hours either during enrollment in an approved doctoral program or after graduation with a certified psychology resident license.
The supervision ratios follow strict guidelines. Your pre-doctoral training needs one hour of supervision for every 20 hours of training. Post-doctoral supervision needs one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of training. A qualified, licensed psychologist who meets Section R156-61-302d requirements must provide all supervision.
Mental health therapy practice requires an extra 1,000 hours of specific training. This training needs one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of practice.
You must get certification as a psychology resident before starting your post-doctoral supervised hours. This certification lets you perform all psychological practices under an approved supervisor with specific conditions. The certification process requires you to:
- Submit a completed application for licensure
- Request official transcripts sent directly to DOPL (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing)
- Submit the ‘Educational Course Listing’ form with detailed course information
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of $85.00
The Verification of Supervised Experience form in your licensure application must document all your supervised experience.
Utah allows remote direct supervision under specific conditions. You need a written remote supervision agreement that has provisions for up-to-the-minute data analysis methods with both visual and audio interaction. Your supervisor must visit your practice location quarterly.
Utah may credit training completed outside the state. You just need to show that the training matches Utah’s requirements.
School psychological practitioners follow different experience requirements. They need to complete a one-year school internship and work five years as a school psychologist in Utah.
The supervised experience component will give a strong foundation of practical expertise beyond academic knowledge. This prepares you for independent practice as a psychologist in Utah.
Licensing Examinations
You need to pass two key exams required by the Utah board of psychology to get your Utah psychology license after completing your supervised experience hours.
The EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) represents the cornerstone test, which the American Association of State Psychology Board (ASPPB) has developed. The ASPPB requires a passing score of at least 500 for independent practice. This national standardized test contains 225 multiple-choice questions that you must finish in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
The Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination represents your second challenge, requiring a score of at least 75%. Prov, the Division’s exam vendor, administers this state-specific test that costs $72.00.
The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) will review your application to determine your eligibility. You’ll receive instructions to register for both exams after approval. Remember that passing these exams must happen within one year of your licensure application submission.
The board has strict rules if you fail the EPPP three times. You must:
- Submit a written statement outlining your core barriers to success
- Create a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound plan to overcome these barriers
- Meet with the Board to establish a study plan
- Complete the plan to the Board’s satisfaction
Utah’s psychology license requirements maintain strict examination integrity rules. Cheating on either exam results in automatic failure, and you might face a three-year ban from retaking the test.
Candidates seeking licensure through endorsement from another jurisdiction must still complete the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination.
The exam portion serves as a standardized way to verify your knowledge and practical skills for independent psychological practice. The EPPP’s latest version has evolved beyond testing foundational knowledge to provide a more detailed measure of competency.
Utah’s psychology field offers four license types: Psychologist, Certified Psychology Resident, Behavior Analyst, and Assistant Behavior Analyst. Each comes with its own exam requirements.
Utah’s doctoral psychology program graduates show impressive success rates (90%-95.83% between 2020-2022). Good preparation typically leads to a soaring win.
Application & Licensure Process
Getting your Utah psychology license ends with submitting a formal application to the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). This agency handles all psychology licenses in Utah.
Your journey begins after completing your education, supervised experience, and exam preparation. You’ll need to submit your application packet with a non-refundable fee of $200.00 to DOPL. New graduates seeking their first license should follow these steps:
Start by gathering these application materials:
- Completed application form with accurate applicant information
- Criminal history disclosure and medical qualifying questionnaire
- Official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution to DOPL
- Verification of Supervised Experience forms completed by each supervisor
- Fingerprint cards for background checks conducted by Utah BCI and FBI
Military service members and their spouses should check DOPL’s Military Resources page before applying. They might qualify for special considerations.
DOPL reviews your qualifications after receiving your application. A satisfactory review allows you to take both the EPPP and the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination. You must pass these exams within one year of submitting your application.
Recent doctoral graduates who need supervised experience must first get a Certified Psychology Resident license. This temporary license costs $85.00 and lets you practice under qualified supervision. You can focus on completing your training requirements before taking the licensing exams.
Licensed psychologists from other states can apply through licensure by endorsement. Besides the standard application and $200.00 fee, you’ll need proof of good standing and at least one year of practice with 2,000 hours minimum.
Your original license requirements must match Utah’s standards to qualify for endorsement. You can also qualify with credentials like American Board of Professional Psychology diplomate certification, National Register credential, or Certification of Professional Qualification. The Utah Psychology Law and Ethics Examination remains mandatory within six months of applying.
PSYPACT interstate compact will soon offer another way to get licensed. Applications should open in late summer or early fall. This system will help qualified psychologists practice across member states easily.
DOPL acts as Utah’s board of psychology. They review applications and make sure everyone meets Utah’s psychology license requirements.
Continuing Education
Your Utah psychology license needs regular professional development through continuing education (CE). The Utah Board of Psychology has specific CE requirements that help practitioners stay up-to-date with current practices and standards.
Licensed psychologists need to complete 48 hours of CE every two years. This period starts October 1 of each even-numbered year. Psychology residents with certification need 24 hours per two-year period. Six of these hours must cover ethics or law. The board pro-rates requirements for new licensees based on when they get their license in the two-year period.
Utah psychology license requirements have specific rules about CE activities. You can get up to 18 hours from internet or distance learning courses that include an exam. The remaining CE must meet several standards. These activities should:
- Connect to psychological practice
- Stay relevant to your work
- Follow an organized sequence
- Come from qualified instructors
- Use proper registration methods
Different activities count for varying amounts of credit. You can claim up to ten hours per period if you teach in higher education or supervise psychology licensure candidates. Clinical readings about psychological practice count for up to six hours. Peer consultation meetings can add another six hours with proper documentation.
Good record-keeping is vital for CE compliance. You need to keep detailed records of all completed education for four years after each two-year period ends.
Utah psychology license holders can find approved CE opportunities from several providers. The American Psychological Association (APA) approved courses are widely accepted. The Utah Center for Evidence Based Treatment offers live and self-paced options. Their proceeds help support sliding scale and pro bono services.
Starting your CE planning early helps you meet all Utah psychology license requirements on time.
Special State Variations
Utah plans several policy changes that will affect your psychology license requirements in 2025. The state will switch to an appointment-only system for fingerprinting services on July 1, 2025, as part of their new outsourced model. This marks a fundamental change from the current walk-in system.
The state’s board of psychology is reviewing amendments to PSYPACT legislation, which lets psychologists work across state lines. These new rules want to make residency definitions clearer, specify reasons for denying or revoking authorizations, and create a better appeals process. You can submit your thoughts on these changes until October 3, 2025.
Psychologists licensed in other states can get a Utah license through reciprocity. You’ll need to pay a $200 application fee and show proof of good standing in your current jurisdiction. The requirements include documentation of at least 2,000 hours or one year of active practice. Your original license requirements must match Utah’s psychology license standards.
Utah joined PSYPACT because the state faces a shortage of mental health professionals. Licensed psychologists can now offer telepsychology services and temporary in-person care across state lines without extra licenses, thanks to this interstate agreement.
Your Utah psychologist license needs renewal every two years by September 30 of even-numbered years. The renewal costs $128, which is much less than the original application fee.