Colorado Psychology Education Overview
Psychology Licensure in Colorado
Colorado is a wonderful state to begin your career in Human Services as a licensed Psychologist. There are a wide variety of different organizations, institutions and companies that are in need of licensed psychologists. From working in one of the schools in Boulder, to a private practice in Vail or work in a hospital in Denver, there are many different opportunities available in Colorado for licensed Psychologists. Colorado has a population of over 5 million people. The population gives rise to many different career options for those who have become licensed psychologists. You will find that the BLS states that a Psychologist working in Colorado can expect a mean yearly wage of $79,7501. Some people enjoy a fast paced and stimulating work environment, for those that do working in one of Colorado’s 110+ Major hospitals2. If the thought of working with children is appealing to you, then you might want to consider seeking employment in one of Colorado’s 179 public school districts3. Finding a work environment that suits your natural temperament and skill set is a very achievable goal with so many career options. The step-by-step licensing procedure we explain below can really help you to refine your search for the perfect career path as a licensed psychologist in Colorado.
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Educational Requirements
If you wish to become a licensed Psychologist in Colorado, you must have already earned your doctorate in Psychology. Of course you will first need to have earned both your Bachelor and Master of Psychology degrees to get a Doctorate.
By earning your Bachelor of Psychology you will gain valuable information about what your potential career in psychology will look like. You can also use your Bachelor’s to help you find employment in many other human services careers. Of course your Bachelor’s is also a requirement as part of your educational background if you wish to become a licensed psychologist.
Unlike some states, Colorado does not allow you to practice with less than a Doctorate in Psychology. Keep in mind however, that with a Master’s in Psychology you can find employment in many other jobs in human services. So, while it is required to get your Ph.D. a Masters of Psychology is a useful degree in and of itself.
To begin your path to licensure you will need your doctorate in psychology from a board approved school. Once you have your doctorate you will need to earn your field experience.
Field Experience
To begin earning your field experience on the way to licensure, you will need to do the following:
- You will need to submit proof of your education and also your supervision plan to gain the required experience for licensure.
- You will need at least 12 months of supervised experience equating to 1,500 hours of experience, 75 hours of supervision, 50 hours of which must be face-to-face supervision.
- You will need to fill out an Affidavit of Eligibility form as well.
- You will need to apply for licensure
You will want to familiarize yourself with Colorado’s specific laws and regulations regarding licensure. These laws change so it is good to make sure you have current information, which you can find here:
Examination
Once you have completed your field experience you can apply to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Pass the EPPP with a score meeting the Colorado minimum You can find some helpful information about your EPPP here: