Colorado Psychologist License Requirements
To become a licensed psychologist in Colorado, you need a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program, registration as a Psychologist Candidate, 1,500 hours of post-doctoral supervised experience, and passing scores on two exams: the EPPP and Colorado’s Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination. The process typically takes eight to ten years from start to licensure.
Colorado has a significant and growing demand for licensed psychologists. One-third of the state’s adults report experiencing anxiety or depression, according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, and approximately 40% of Colorado high school students experience depression. That’s the context for anyone considering this path. The credential Colorado issues is highly structured, reflecting the scope of independent practice it authorizes.
The Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners, housed within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), sets and enforces licensure standards. Every step below flows from their requirements. Because these regulations can change, always verify current requirements on the DORA psychology page before applying. For a broader look at the national pathway, see our guide to becoming a psychologist.
Licensure requirements are set by the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners and may change. Always verify current requirements on the DORA website before applying.
Education Requirements
A doctoral degree is the minimum education requirement for psychology licensure in Colorado. Unlike some states that license psychologists with a master’s degree, Colorado doesn’t have that pathway. The doctorate you need is either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), though a Doctor of Education (EdD) may qualify if it meets the Board’s standards.
Your program must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or judged substantially equivalent by the Board. For APA-accredited programs, the review is straightforward. For non-APA programs, you’ll fill out a course worksheet documenting coverage across required content areas: biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, and individual differences. The Board’s review of non-APA applications may take additional time, depending on the Board’s workload, so plan accordingly.
Doctoral programs must include at least 3 years of graduate study, a practicum of at least 400 hours, and an APA-accredited (or equivalent) internship that meets Board requirements. The internship is typically completed during the doctoral program itself and counts toward your overall preparation, not postdoctoral hours you’ll need after graduation.
Colorado also requires training in racial and ethnic bases of behavior at the graduate level. If your program didn’t cover this adequately, the Board may accept academic coursework in its place, but you’ll need to document that coverage.
Registering as a Psychologist Candidate
Because postdoctoral hours count toward licensure, you must register with the Board as a Psychologist Candidate (PSYC). This is a required intermediate step, not optional. If you begin supervised practice without registering first, those hours won’t be credited.
The PSYC credential is valid for four years and can be extended by one year if you need additional time to meet the experience requirements. During this period, you’re authorized to practice under supervision while working toward full licensure. You’ll apply through DORA’s Online Service Postdoctoral-Doctoral Supervised Experience
Colorado requires 1,500 postdoctoral supervised experience before you can sit for licensure. Your supervisor must be a licensed psychologist, hold LPC licensure in Colorado, or, for a portion of the hours, be a board-certified psychiatrist. The supervision breakdown has specific minimums you need to meet.
| Requirement | Hopostdoctoral |
|---|---|
| t-doctoral hours | 1,500 minimum |
| Direct supervision (total) | 75 hours minimum |
| Face-to-face individual supervision | 50 hours minimum |
| Racial/ethnic bases of behavior training | 50 hours minimum (with 3 hours supervised) |
| Maximum hours from research | 500 hours |
| Maximum hours from teaching | 500 hours |
Hours supervised by a board-certified psychiatrist are capped at 375 total, with no more than 17.75 hours of direct supervision credited from that arrangement. If you’re planning a postdoctoral position, make sure your primary supervisor is a licensed psychologist to avoid running into those limits.
Licensing Examinations
Colorado requires passing scores on two separate exams before you can receive full licensure.
The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a standardized national exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Colorado requires a passing score of at least 500 out of 800. You can find registration information and study resources on the ASPPB website.
The second is the Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination, which tests knowledge of Colorado-specific laws and regulations governing psychological practice. Both exams must be passed as part of the licensure application.
Applying for Your License
Once you’ve completed your doctoral and postdoctoral hours and both exams, you apply for licensure through DORA’s Online Services system. Your application will include official transcripts, documentation of supervised hours, exam scores, and a fingerprint-based background check. Processing times vary, so check with DORA directly for current estimates.
Colorado psychology licenses expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years. If your license is issued within 120 days of its expiration date, it will automatically roll to the next renewal cycle.
Licensure by Endorsement
Colorado does not offer automatic reciprocity. Licensure by endorsement is available. If you hold a psychology license from another state, you can apply through this pathway if your education, experience, and exam credentials meet Colorado’s standards. All endorsement applicants must pass the Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination, regardless of any other exemptions that may apply.
If you’ve practiced psychology independently for at least 20 years and a written exam wasn’t required in your original jurisdiction, you may qualify for an exam exemption. Postdoctoral or doctoral experience requirements may also be waived depending on your credentials. The Board evaluates these on a case-by-case basis.
License Renewal and Continuing Professional Development
Colorado psychology licenses are renewed every two years. To renew, you pay the renewal fee and document completion of 40 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) activities, subject to change pending rule updates. CPD requirements begin at initial licensure, not at renewal. You’ll create a learning plan outlining your intended activities for each licensure period, including coursework, training, presenting at a symposium, or teaching a graduate-level psychology class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado require a PhD to become a licensed psychologist?
Colorado requires a doctoral degree, but it doesn’t have to be a PhD. A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Education (EdD) may also qualify if it meets the Board’s standards. The key requirement is that the degree comes from an APA-accredited program or one judged substantially equivalent by the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners.
Can I practice psychology in Colorado while completing doctoral hours?
Yes, but you must register as a Psychologist Candidate (PSYC) with the Board before you start accredited doctoral hours. This intermediate registration is required for your supervised hours to count toward licensure. The PSYC credential is valid for four years and can be extended by one year if needed.
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Colorado?
The full path from a bachelor’s degree to licensure typically takes 8 to 10 years. That includes four or more years in a doctoral program, on-postdoctoral supervised experience, time to pass both required exams, and the Board’s application review process.
Does Colorado accept psychology licenses from other states?
Colorado does not offer automatic reciprocity. If you hold a psychology license from another state, you can apply for licensure by endorsement. All endorsement applicants must pass the Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination, regardless of any other exemptions that may apply to their application.
What are the continuing education requirements for Colorado psychologists?
Licensed psychologists in Colorado must complete 40 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) during each two-year license cycle. CPD requirements begin immediately upon initial licensure. Acceptable activities include coursework, professional training, presenting at symposia, and teaching graduate-level psychology. Licenses expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years.
Key Takeaways
- A doctoral degree is required to become a licensed psychologist in Colorado. A master’s degree is not sufficient for independent licensure in psychology in this state.
- Register as a Psychologist Candidate (PSYC) first before applying for doctoral hours. Hours completed before registration will not count toward the 1,500-hour requirement.
- Two exams are required: the national EPPP (passing score of 500/800) and the Colorado Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination. Both must be passed as part of the application.
- Colorado does not offer automatic reciprocity with other states, but out-of-state licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement if their credentials meet Colorado’s standards.
- All requirements are administered through DORA, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. The Board’s requirements can change, so verify current standards before applying.
Exploring psychology programs in Colorado? Use our state guide to compare degree options and find programs that align with Colorado’s licensure requirements.
