How to Become a Licensed Psychologist in Utah
Becoming a licensed psychologist in Utah requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited program, 4,000 hours of supervised training, and passing two required exams: the EPPP and the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Exam. The full path typically takes 8 to 12 years. Licensure is issued through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Utah has a mental health problem. Not in the way that phrase sounds alarming, but in the sense that demand for licensed psychologists here consistently outpaces supply. Mental Health America ranks Utah 46th in the nation for mental health care access relative to need. The state’s own projections point to a sustained shortage of providers over the next decade. For someone training to become a psychologist, that shortage translates directly into opportunity.
This guide walks through the full licensure pathway in Utah: the degree you’ll need, how supervised training works, the exams required, and how to apply for your license through the state board. If you’re early in the process, or just trying to understand what lies ahead, here’s the full picture.
Licensure in Utah is managed by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), which operates under the Utah Department of Commerce. DOPL handles applications, exam approvals, and the issuance of licenses for psychologists and several related credentials, including prescribing psychologists and school psychological practitioners.
Utah is also a member of PSYPACT, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Once licensed in Utah, eligible psychologists can apply to practice temporarily across other PSYPACT member states without obtaining a separate license in each one.
Educational Requirements: The Doctoral Degree
Utah requires a doctoral degree in psychology for standard licensure as a psychologist. Your program must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or recognized by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and the National Register. That accreditation requirement matters when choosing a program. Graduating from an unrecognized program can delay or block licensure.
Two doctoral paths qualify: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Both lead to the same Utah license. If you’re still weighing psychology against clinical social work, our LCSW vs. psychologist comparison breaks down how the two credentials differ. The difference between the doctoral paths is in emphasis. PhD programs tend to focus more on research and academic work, with students completing a dissertation based on original inquiry. PsyD programs are designed for clinical practice and are more applied, though still academically rigorous. Neither is faster in any meaningful sense. Both take 4 to 7 years to complete beyond the bachelor’s level, and both require the same postdoctoral training before licensure.
A bachelor’s degree is the entry point for doctoral programs. Most applicants spend four years earning their undergraduate degree before beginning graduate work. Some doctoral programs include the master’s degree as part of the curriculum. Others require it as a prerequisite. Either way, plan for a significant educational investment before you’re eligible to apply for a license.
The School Psychology Exception
School psychologists follow a different path. If your goal is to work in a K-12 educational setting, Utah allows practice with a master’s degree in school psychology rather than a doctorate. School psychological practitioners are licensed through the Utah State Board of Education, not DOPL. That means a different credential, a different licensing agency, and a narrower scope of practice compared to a standard licensed psychologist. Know which path fits your career goals before you choose a graduate program. If counseling is a better fit than psychology, see our guide to Utah’s counseling licensure pathway.
Supervised Training: The Psychology Resident Step
Finishing your doctoral program doesn’t mean you’re ready to apply for a full license. After completing your degree, you’ll need to apply to DOPL for a Certified Psychology Resident license. This intermediate credential allows you to perform supervised clinical work while completing your post-doctoral training hours. You don’t need to pass any exams before applying.
Utah requires a total of 4,000 supervised training hours before full licensure can be granted. Some of those hours can be accumulated during your doctoral program as pre-doctoral hours. At the pre-doctoral stage, supervision must occur at a rate of at least one hour of supervision for every 20 training hours. Post-doctoral hours require supervision at a rate of one hour for every 40 training hours. The total experience requirement takes a minimum of two years to complete, regardless of how the hours are split.
If you plan to provide mental health therapy, at least 1,000 of your hours must specifically involve mental health therapy work. These hours must be completed after you’ve earned at least a master’s degree, and they carry their own supervision requirement: one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of mental health therapy training.
Required Examinations
Utah requires two separate exams before full licensure is granted. Both are taken after your supervised experience is complete, and your application has been submitted to DOPL.
The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a national board exam administered through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). The EPPP covers eight core competency areas in psychology. Utah’s passing score is 500 on a scaled score. After DOPL approves your application, you’ll receive registration instructions. The exam registration fee is $600, and testing is conducted at Pearson VUE testing centers.
The second is the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination, a state-specific jurisprudence exam covering Utah statutes and professional conduct requirements. It’s administered through Prov, with testing locations in the Salt Lake City area and other Utah metro regions. The passing score is 75%, and results are available immediately after testing. Utah allows two retakes of the EPPP, with 60-day waiting periods between attempts. After a third unsuccessful attempt, a candidate must submit an action plan to DOPL before trying again.
Applying for Licensure Through DOPL
Applications are submitted to the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) either online or by paper and include a non-refundable $232 application-processing fee. You’ll need to provide official transcripts sent directly from your institution, a completed Verification of Supervised Experience form signed separately by each supervisor, and fingerprint cards for a criminal background check. Once DOPL reviews your materials and determines you meet eligibility requirements, you’ll receive authorization to schedule both exams.
Psychology licenses are valid for two years and require renewal. Psychologists already licensed in another state may be eligible for licensure by endorsement in Utah, though they’ll still need to pass the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination.
Career Outlook for Utah Psychologists
Utah ranks among the strongest states in the country for employment in psychology. The state’s population has grown consistently, demand for mental health services has climbed, and the gap between provider availability and patient need remains wide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for clinical and counseling psychologists in Utah was $88,990 as of May 2024. National projections show employment for clinical and counseling psychologists growing faster than average through 2034.
The full education and training pathway spans roughly 8 to 12 years from a bachelor’s degree. The table below breaks down the stages.
| Stage | Credential or Milestone | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field | 4 years |
| Graduate | PhD or PsyD froman APA-accredited program | 4 to 7 years |
| Supervised Training | Certified Psychology Resident license (DOPL), 4,000 total hours | 2 years minimum |
| Examinations | EPPP (scaled score 500+) and Utah Law and Ethics Exam (75%+) | Completed after training |
| Full Licensure | Licensed Psychologist, issued by DOPL | Upon approval and exam passage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a licensed psychologist in Utah with a master’s degree?
Not as a standard licensed psychologist. Utah requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) for that credential. The one exception is the school psychology pathway. If you plan to work in a K-12 setting, Utah allows practice with a master’s degree in school psychology under a separate credential issued by the Utah State Board of Education.
What is a Certified Psychology Resident in Utah?
It’s an intermediate license issued by DOPL that allows doctoral graduates to complete their required post-doctoral training hours under supervision. You apply for it after finishing your degree, before sitting for your licensing exams. No exam is required to obtain the resident credential, so you can focus on completing your supervised hours.
How many exams does Utah require for psychology licensure?
Two. You’ll need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) with a scaled score of at least 500 and the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination with a score of at least 75%. Both exams are taken after your supervised experience is complete, and your license application is on file with DOPL.
How long does it take to become a licensed psychologist in Utah?
The typical range is 8 to 12 years from a bachelor’s degree. That includes four years of undergraduate study, four to seven years in a doctoral program, and at least two years of supervised post-doctoral training. The timeline varies depending on your program structure, how quickly you accumulate training hours, and the pace of the DOPL application process.
Is Utah a good state to practice as a psychologist?
Yes. Utah has above-average demand for mental health services, strong job growth projections for psychologists through the next decade, and recently expanded prescribing authority for licensed psychologists. The state is also a PSYPACT member, which allows eligible Utah-licensed psychologists to practice temporarily across other member states without separate licensure in each.
Key Takeaways
- A doctoral degree is required – Utah requires a PhD or PsyD from an APA-accredited or ASPPB-recognized program for standard psychology licensure.
- Two exams, not one – You’ll need to pass the EPPP and the Utah Psychologist Law and Ethics Examination before DOPL will issue a full license.
- Plan for an intermediate step – After your doctorate, you apply for a Certified Psychology Resident license while completing your post-doctoral supervised hours.
- 4,000 hours over a minimum of 2 years – Hours can be split between pre- and postdoctoral training, with specific supervision ratios required at each stage.
- Utah has strong demand – The state’s provider shortage and population growth make it one of the more favorable states for psychologist employment right now.
Ready to explore your options? Find psychology education programs in Utah and learn more about the state’s licensure process.
2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.