Psychologist licensure in Utah involves meeting defined standards for education, supervised professional experience, and examination. Utah also maintains separate credentials for school-based psychological practice, with requirements that vary based on employment setting and scope of practice.
Primary Licensing Authority
The Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) is responsible for psychologist licensure in Utah.
Licensed Psychologist Requirements
Education Requirements
- A doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited or board-approved program (APA, CPA, or equivalent) is required.
- Psychologists must complete 48 hours of continuing education every two years, including at least 6 hours in ethics or law.
Supervised Experience Requirements
- Applicants must complete at least 4,000 hours of supervised professional experience, including:
- 1,500–2,000 hours of pre-doctoral internship
- Additional post-doctoral supervised experience as required by rule
- 1,500–2,000 hours of pre-doctoral internship
Examination Requirements
- Applicants must pass the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Applicants must also pass the Utah Psychology Law and Ethics Examination, covering state statutes and professional standards.
Other Psychology Licenses in Utah
School Psychologist
School psychology credentialing in Utah is divided between two entities, based on the practice setting:
- Utah State Board of Education (USBE): Issues the School Psychologist Educator License for practice in public and charter schools.
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL): Issues the School Psychological Practitioner License for independent or non-school settings.
Credentialing Requirements
- Must hold a master’s or higher degree in school psychology from a NASP-accredited or state-approved program.
- Must complete a 1,200-hour supervised internship, with at least 600 hours in a school setting.
- Must pass the Praxis School Psychologist (5403) exam.
- DOPL applicants must also pass the Utah Law and Ethics Exam and, if required, the EPPP.
- A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required for both agencies.
Scope of Practice
- USBE: Authorizes school psychologists to provide educational and psychological services in PK–12 settings, including assessment, consultation, intervention, and support for students, families, and staff.
- DOPL: Authorizes independent practice in school and community settings, including diagnostic assessment, counseling, consultation, and intervention within the bounds of professional competence.
Master’s-Level License
- Utah offers limited credentials below the doctoral level:
- Certified Psychology Resident: Temporary license for supervised practice pending full licensure.
- School Psychological Practitioner License: For master’s- or specialist-level practitioners in school psychology.
- Certified Psychology Resident: Temporary license for supervised practice pending full licensure.
- Full psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree.
Other Roles
- The Utah Division of Professional Licensing also oversees psychologist, psychology resident, and behavior analyst licenses.
- The Utah State Board of Education manages educator licensing for school-based psychological services.
Scope of Practice Considerations
- Licensed psychologists may independently provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and research.
- School psychologist and school psychological practitioner licenses are limited to educational and specified community practice settings.
- Only doctoral-level licensure grants full independent practice authority in psychology.
PSYPACT Status in Utah
Utah is a participating PSYPACT state. PSYPACT is an interstate compact that allows licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology and conduct temporary in-person psychological services across state lines among participating states.
Key Takeaways
- Utah psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree, at least 4,000 hours of supervised experience, and passage of the EPPP and state law and ethics exam.
- Forty-eight hours of continuing education are required every two years, including ethics or law.
- School psychologist credentials are managed by USBE for school-based practice and DOPL for independent/community roles.
- Master’s-level practitioners may hold temporary or limited licenses, but independent psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree.
- Utah participates in PSYPACT, permitting eligible psychologists to provide services across state lines under the Compact.
- The Division of Professional Licensing and the State Board of Education are the authorities for psychology credentials in Utah. Consult these agencies for current requirements.
Important Note: Licensure requirements can change over time and may vary based on individual circumstances. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and current information, prospective psychologists should always consult the appropriate state licensing board and education agency for the most up-to-date licensure and certification requirements.
