How to Become a Psychologist in Connecticut
Becoming a licensed psychologist in Connecticut requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an approved program, one year of post-doctoral supervised experience, and passing scores on both the EPPP and the Connecticut Jurisprudence exam. The process typically takes nine or more years. Licensure is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Connecticut offers a wide range of settings where a licensed psychologist can build a meaningful practice. Hospital systems, outpatient mental health clinics, university counseling centers, and private practices across Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven all employ licensed psychologists. So do school districts across the state, though the certification path for school-based work follows a separate process outlined later on this page.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, school psychologists in Connecticut earn around $98,000 annually.
Whether you’re drawn to hospital-based neuropsychology, community mental health, or private practice, the career options for licensed psychologists in Connecticut are varied enough to fit most professional goals.
The path to licensure is a long one, but Connecticut’s requirements are clearly defined. Here’s what you’ll need to complete at each stage.
Connecticut Psychologist License Requirements
Psychologist licensure in Connecticut is regulated by the state Department of Public Health (DPH). To qualify, you’ll need to complete four core requirements: a doctoral degree, post-doctoral supervised experience, written examinations, and a formal application. The table below summarizes the pathway before each step is broken down.
| Step | Requirement | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doctoral Degree | PhD or PsyD from an APA-accredited or DPH-approved program |
| 2 | Supervised Experience | At least 1 year post-doctoral (full-time: 35 hrs/week for 46 weeks; part-time: approx. 2,000 hours over 2 years) |
| 3 | Examinations | EPPP passing score set by the board, plus the Connecticut Jurisprudence exam |
| 4 | Application | Submit to the DPH with required documentation, application fee of $565 |
Step 1: Earn a Doctoral Degree in Psychology
Connecticut requires a doctoral degree to practice as a licensed psychologist. A PhD or PsyD from a program with full American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation will automatically satisfy the DPH’s educational standards. Programs without APA accreditation are subject to individual review by the DPH to confirm they meet the requirements set out in Connecticut state regulations.
A master’s degree in psychology won’t qualify you for independent practice under the “licensed psychologist” title in Connecticut. That said, a master’s degree in psychology does open doors to other licensed roles. You can explore Connecticut counseling licensure or Connecticut MSW programs if you want to practice in the field while deciding whether doctoral training is the right path for you.
Step 2: Complete Post-Doctoral Supervised Experience
After earning your doctorate, you’ll need at least one year (or equivalent part-time hours totaling about 2,000 hours) of post-doctoral supervised experience before applying for licensure. You can complete this full-time (35 hours per week for 46 weeks) or part-time within a two-year window.
Supervision must be provided by a psychologist who holds a license in the state where the experience is conducted, including at least 3 hours of supervision per 40 hours worked, with at least 1 hour of direct individual supervision. Your supervisor can’t simultaneously supervise more than three individuals completing this requirement. The experience must also align with your area of intended practice.
One important note on timing: while you’re completing your supervised experience in Connecticut, you’re exempt from the state’s licensing requirement. That exemption ends two years after you finish your experience hours, regardless of whether you’ve passed your exams.
Step 3: Pass the Required Examinations
Connecticut requires two exams for licensure. The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Connecticut requires a passing score set by the board (historically a scaled score of 500 on the EPPP). The second is the Connecticut Jurisprudence exam, which covers state statutes, scope of practice, mandatory reporting requirements, and professional conduct standards. You have two years after completing your supervised experience to pass both.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Once your education, experience, and examinations are complete, you can apply for licensure through the Connecticut DPH. Applications are accepted online only. You’ll need to submit official transcripts sent directly from your institution, verification of supervised experience completed by your supervisors, and official EPPP scores forwarded directly from ASPPB. The application fee is $565. Processing typically takes several months, depending on the completeness of your submission.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Connecticut psychology licenses are renewed annually at a cost of $570. Each renewal period requires at least 10 hours of continuing education (CE). No more than 5 of those hours can come from asynchronous or home-study formats. The remaining hours must be completed through live, synchronous instruction, either in person or online. Additionally, at least 2 CE hours every six years must cover mental health conditions common to veterans.
Out-of-State and Endorsement Pathways
If you’re already licensed as a psychologist in another state, Connecticut offers several ways to obtain licensure without repeating the full process from the beginning.
Licensure by endorsement is available to applicants who have been actively licensed in another U.S. state for at least four years. You’ll need to provide documentation of your doctoral degree, supervised experience, and passing EPPP scores, along with verification from every state where you hold or have held a psychology license.
Connecticut also accepts the Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) from the ASPPB. The CPQ verifies that you’ve met educational, experience, and examination requirements equivalent to Connecticut’s standards. CPQ holders still need to pass the Connecticut Jurisprudence exam, but the rest of the application process is streamlined.
Connecticut participates in the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology services and temporary in-person services across participating states without obtaining a full license in each state.
School Psychologist Certification in Connecticut
School psychologists in Connecticut follow a different credentialing path from doctoral-level licensed psychologists. Certification for school-based practice is handled by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), not the DPH. Requirements include a master’s degree plus a sixth-year (specialist-level) diploma in school psychology from a regionally accredited institution, completion of a program of at least 60 graduate semester hours, a 1,200-hour supervised internship (with at least 600 hours in a school setting), and a passing score on the Praxis II School Psychology exam (5403) or another CSDE-approved examination.
School psychologists certified through the CSDE are limited to educational settings. If you want to practice independently outside schools under the title “licensed psychologist,” you’ll need to complete the DPH’s doctoral-level licensure pathway instead.
Psychology Career Settings in Connecticut
Licensed psychologists in Connecticut work across a wide range of environments. Hospital systems across the state employ psychologists for inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Community mental health centers, university counseling services, private practices, and correctional facilities are also active employment settings. Connecticut’s location between New York City and Boston means that many licensed psychologists also see clients from across the region, and PSYPACT membership makes telepsychology across state lines increasingly practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctorate to become a licensed psychologist in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an approved program to practice as a licensed psychologist. A master’s degree in psychology doesn’t qualify you for independent practice under the psychologist title, though it can open other licensed roles in counseling, social work, or human services.
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Connecticut?
The full process typically takes 9+ years after your bachelor’s degree. That includes four to seven years for a doctoral program, at least one year of post-doctoral supervised experience, and additional time for examination preparation and application processing.
What is the EPPP, and what score do I need in Connecticut?
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a national standardized exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Connecticut requires a passing score set by the board (historically a scaled score of 500). You’ll also need to pass a separate Connecticut Jurisprudence exam covering state laws, ethics, and mandatory reporting requirements.
Can I transfer my psychology license to Connecticut from another state?
Yes. Connecticut offers licensure by endorsement for psychologists actively licensed in another state for at least four years. The state also accepts the ASPPB Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) as a streamlined pathway. Connecticut’s participation in PSYPACT additionally enables telepsychology practice across compact member states.
What’s the difference between a school psychologist and a licensed psychologist in Connecticut?
School psychologists are credentialed by the Connecticut State Department of Education at the specialist level (master’s plus sixth-year degree) and are limited to educational settings. Licensed psychologists are credentialed by the Department of Public Health at the doctoral level and can practice independently across all settings. If you want to use the title “licensed psychologist” outside of a school, you’ll need the full DPH doctoral pathway.
Key Takeaways
- Doctoral degree required: A PhD or PsyD from an APA-accredited or DPH-approved program is the minimum educational requirement for licensure in Connecticut.
- Two exams, one application: You’ll need to pass both the EPPP and the Connecticut Jurisprudence exam before submitting your $565 DPH application.
- Supervised experience is tightly defined: At least one year of post-doctoral supervision is required, with at least 3 hours of supervision per 40 hours worked and at least 1 hour of direct individual supervision.
- School psychologists follow a separate path: CSDE specialist-level certification covers school-based work. Independent practice outside schools requires doctoral-level DPH licensure.
- Multiple routes for out-of-state applicants: Endorsement, CPQ, and PSYPACT membership give licensed psychologists from other states several options for practicing in Connecticut.
Looking for doctoral psychology programs in Connecticut? Use our program directory to compare accredited options and see which ones match your clinical interests and career goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for School Psychologists. Salaries based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.