Psychologist Licensure in Colorado: Degree, Supervised Hours and the EPPP
Colorado licenses psychologists through the State Board of Psychologist Examiners, part of DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations.
The full licence takes a doctorate with a major in psychology, at least one year of postdoctoral supervised experience — 1,500 hours and 75 supervision hours over at least 12 months, per the DPO chart — plus the EPPP and a Colorado jurisprudence exam.
Post-degree hours only count while registered as a Psychologist Candidate or an Unlicensed Psychotherapist, or practising in an exempt setting.
Colorado also grants prescription certificates to qualified prescribing psychologists, and it is a PSYPACT member.
Verify before you rely on this
At a glance
Psychologist, Psychologist Candidate (PSYC) registration, Provisional Psychologist and Prescribing Psychologist Authority (CRS 12-245-304 to -309; DPO pages).
A doctorate degree with a major in psychology, or the equivalent as determined by the board, from an approved school (CRS 12-245-304(1)(c)).
The DPO chart restates this as "Doctorate degree from APA approved program or equivalent", with equivalency reviews handled by CCE.
Not stated in the sources read.
CRS 12-245-304 has no separate internship clause, and the board's rules (3 CCR 721-1) were not read.
Required as written: at least one year of postdoctoral practice under board-approved supervision (CRS 12-245-304(1)(d)).
The DPO chart reads it as 1,500 hours over a minimum of 12 months plus 75 supervision hours (50 face-to-face and individual).
A single, written examination in psychology — the DPO chart names the EPPP — plus a jurisprudence examination administered by the division (CRS 12-245-304(1)(e)).
No EPPP Part 2 requirement was found in the sources read.
None.
The Psychologist Candidate registration is a doctoral graduate's stage, not a master's licence; Colorado licenses master's-level clinicians — LPCs, MFTs and LCSWs — under other boards.
Member, in effect: CO HB 1017, enacted April 12, 2018, effective July 1, 2020, per the PSYPACT Commission map as of September 2026.
Yes — the Prescribing Psychologist Authority, on a prescription certificate under CRS 12-245-309 (HB23-1071, effective August 7, 2023): a doctoral program in psychology, an MS in an APA-designated clinical psychopharmacology program with at least 450 classroom hours or education set by board rule with the Colorado medical board's approval, the PEP exam, supervised prescribing experience and an independent peer review.
Psychologist, Prescribing Psychologist Authority and Provisional licences expire August 31 of odd-numbered years; Psychologist Candidate registrations expire December 31 every 3 years.
CPD: 40 Professional Development Hours per cycle, prorated at 1.67 hours per month for mid-cycle new licensees.
The Colorado credential ladder
- Psychologist Candidate(PSYC)Pre-licensure
A registration, not a licence: the board registers a person who already holds the doctorate and has passed the jurisprudence exam, and the candidate stays under board jurisdiction while finishing the postdoctoral experience and exams (CRS 12-245-304(3)).
- Provisional PsychologistOther
A licence for supervised doctoral-level practice in a residential childcare facility, under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional — a setting-specific credential, not a step on the standard route to full licensure (DPO Mental Health Credentials Chart; DPO Applications page).
- PsychologistIndependent
The full licence: it carries the private, independent practice of psychology, the right to practise and supervise psychology practice, and the title "psychologist" (CRS 12-245-305(1)).
- Prescribing Psychologist AuthorityOther
An add-on authority to the psychologist licence: with a prescription certificate, the psychologist may prescribe and administer psychotropic medication (CRS 12-245-309).
One full licence, three satellite statuses, and a protected title
The psychologist licence carries the practice rights: private, independent practice, supervising psychology practice, and the title itself.
The statute's title clause is broad — it covers not just "psychologist" but the terms "psychology" and "psychological", which no other person may use on any work or letter, sign, figure or device to indicate that the person using them is a licensed psychologist.
The Psychologist Candidate (PSYC) is a registration, not a licence: the statute has the board register a doctoral graduate who applies, and the candidate then works toward the experience and exam requirements under board jurisdiction.
The Provisional Psychologist licence covers supervised practice in a residential childcare facility — a setting-specific credential rather than a rung every applicant climbs.
The Prescribing Psychologist Authority is the prescribing overlay, covered below.
For how master’s-level psychology licences work where they exist, see the master’s-level psychology practitioner.
“Use the title "psychologist" and the terms "psychology" and "psychological". No other person may assume these titles or use these terms on any work or letter, sign, figure, or device to indicate that the person using the title or terms is a licensed psychologist.”
A doctorate with a major in psychology, plus application gates
The degree rule turns on the major: a doctorate with a major in psychology, or a major-equivalency the board accepts, from an approved school.
The board's credential chart restates the line as "Doctorate degree from APA approved program or equivalent", and DPO has contracted education-equivalency reviews to the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE), so a non-APA-program graduate is evaluated there rather than by the division.
Two gates sit beside the degree: the applicant must be at least twenty-one years of age, and since July 14, 2020 an initial application includes a name-based judicial record check with satisfactory results as determined by the board.
The chart also sets a clock for licences: all requirements, the exam, and post-degree supervision hours must be completed within 5 years of the date an application is received.
For how the PhD and PsyD routes to this degree differ, see PhD vs. PsyD.
“Has completed a doctorate degree with a major in psychology, or the equivalent to that major as determined by the board, from an approved school”
The postdoctoral year, and when the hours count
As written, the postdoctoral year is not optional: the licence conditions include at least one year of postdoctoral experience practising psychology under board-approved supervision.
The board's chart quantifies it — post-degree experience of 1,500 hours over a minimum of 12 months, plus 75 hours of supervision (50 face-to-face and individual) over the same minimum — though those figures are the division chart's, not rule text, because the board's rules (3 CCR 721-1) were not read for this page.
The timing trap is registration: the division's applications page states that post-degree hours count only if the applicant is registered as a psychologist candidate, is registered as an Unlicensed Psychotherapist, or is practising in an exempt facility as permitted, so hours accrued outside those statuses do not count toward licensure.
Nothing in the statute sections read lets internship or practicum hours stand in for the postdoctoral year.
For the whole path from degree to licence, see how to become a clinical psychologist.
“Has had at least one year of postdoctoral experience practicing psychology under supervision approved by the board”
The EPPP and the Colorado jurisprudence exam
Competence is shown by passing a single, written examination in psychology as prescribed by the board and a jurisprudence examination administered by the division; the board's chart names the written exam as the EPPP.
The statute adds structure: the exam runs not less than twice per year, tests general psychology, clinical and counselling psychology, and their application including statutes and professional ethics, and the board sets the passing score.
No EPPP Part 2 requirement appears in the sources read.
The question is time-limited anyway: ASPPB's integrated EPPP replaces both parts for first-time takers from fall 2027 and is the only version from April 1, 2028.
Since SB 24-115, the jurisprudence exam is also required to register as a psychologist candidate, not only for the licence.
“Demonstrates professional competence by passing a single, written examination in psychology as prescribed by the board and a jurisprudence examination administered by the division”
Prescriptive authority: the prescription certificate
Prescribing authority sits on top of the psychologist licence.
HB23-1071, approved March 3, 2023 and effective August 7, 2023, added CRS 12-245-309.
The prescription certificate requires a doctoral program in psychology; a master of science in an APA-designated clinical psychopharmacology program (or board-rule-approved education cleared with the Colorado medical board) with at least 450 classroom hours; a pass on ASPPB's psychopharmacology examination for psychologists; and a supervised practicum over 12 to 24 months including at least 750 hours treating at least 150 clients, with an 80-hour observational assessment practicum inside those hours.
Applicants also pass an independent peer review and carry $1 million per incident, $3 million annual aggregate liability insurance.
Certificate holders complete at least 40 hours of pharmacology and psychopharmacology CE every two years; the statute also allows telepsychology prescribing.
An endorsement route requires a current licence in good standing from another state plus either unrestricted prescriptive authority from a state imposing this section's and the board's education, supervision and training requirements, or DoD psychopharmacology demonstration-project (or similar program) training imposing those requirements.
For which states let specially trained psychologists prescribe, and on what terms, see prescriptive authority for psychologists.
“A licensed psychologist must hold a prescription certificate in order to prescribe or administer psychotropic medication.”
PSYPACT: an effective member since July 1, 2020
CRS 12-245-308 directs the board to facilitate Colorado's participation in the psychology interjurisdictional compact, which Colorado law locates at part 39 of article 60 of title 24.
The PSYPACT Commission map, as read in September 2026, lists Colorado as a member in effect: HB 1017, enacted April 12, 2018, effective July 1, 2020.
The compact is doctoral-only, so it concerns the psychologist licence and no other credential on this page.
A Colorado psychologist uses PSYPACT to practise telepsychology or work temporarily in person in other participating states; a clinician relocating permanently needs Colorado licensure, which is a separate conversation with the board.
For how PSYPACT’s telepsychology and temporary-practice authorizations work, see PSYPACT explained.
“For purposes of this section, "compact" means the psychology interjurisdictional compact authorized in part 39 of article 60 of title 24.”
Renewal dates, CPD hours, and the candidate's clock
Psychologist, Prescribing Psychologist Authority and Provisional licences all expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years; Psychologist Candidate registrations expire on December 31 every 3 years.
Continuing professional development is a statute-level duty — the board adopts CPD rules and a licensee must complete CPD to maintain the licence — and the division's CPD page sets the amount: 40 Professional Development Hours per cycle, with licensees licensed mid-cycle prorated at 1.67 hours per month.
Audits of compliance run after each renewal cycle.
One administrative wrinkle: a new applicant issued a licence within 120 days of the upcoming expiration date receives the next expiration date instead.
Prescribing psychologists add their own 40-hour CE requirement every two years, noted above.
“All Psychologist, Prescribing Psychologist Authority and Provisional licenses expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years”
Rule changes 2023–2026
Two laws reshaped the rules on this page.
HB23-1071 created the prescription certificate, effective August 7, 2023.
SB 24-115, effective August 7, 2024, reached the candidate registration: it added the jurisprudence examination as a registration requirement, changed the candidate renewal cycle, and directed the board to begin rulemaking by December 31, 2024 — the statute's source notes show it repealed subsection (3)(a)(II), added (3)(a)(III) and (3)(c), and amended (3)(b).
One dating caveat, in the research's own terms: the statute text read is the CRS 2024 printout, and 2025/2026 session amendments were not checked because the CRS 2025 PDF returned a 404, so confirm against the current statute before relying on any section here.
“If the requirements of subsections (1)(d) and (1)(e) of this section are not met within three years, the registration of the psychologist candidate is subject to the renewal, reinstatement, and delinquency fee provisions specified in section 12-20-202.”
What This Page Does — and Doesn’t — Cover
This page summarizes the Colorado statute, rules, board pages and other documents cited above, as read for this state-by-state psychologist licensure series, current as of September 2026.
It does not list application forms, fees beyond those cited above, or processing times, and it is not a substitute for the instructions the State Board of Psychologist Examiners (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations) publishes.
Hour totals, exams and supervision rules change by statute and by board rule; for how the two doctoral routes differ, see PhD vs. PsyD.
Confirm every requirement with the State Board of Psychologist Examiners (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations) before you count hours, register for an exam or apply — and before you take one of the clinical psychologist jobs in Colorado that asks for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado require a postdoctoral year for psychologists?
Yes, as written.
CRS 12-245-304(1)(d) conditions the licence on at least one year of postdoctoral experience practising psychology under board-approved supervision, and the DPO credential chart reads that as 1,500 hours over a minimum of 12 months plus 75 hours of supervision (50 face-to-face and individual).
The division counts post-degree hours only for applicants registered as a psychologist candidate or an Unlicensed Psychotherapist, or practising in an exempt facility — hours accrued outside those statuses do not count.
The board's own rules (3 CCR 721-1) were not among this page's sources, so confirm the current hour detail with the board.
What is a Colorado Psychologist Candidate (PSYC) registration?
It is the registration a doctoral graduate holds while finishing the licence — not a licence itself and not a master's credential.
The board registers you as a psychologist candidate on evidence of the doctorate and, since SB 24-115 took effect in August 2024, a passed jurisprudence examination.
Post-degree work and supervision hours only count toward licensure under a qualifying status — psychologist candidate registration, Unlicensed Psychotherapist registration or an exempt facility — so timing matters.
If the supervised experience and exams are not finished within three years, the registration falls under the statute's renewal, reinstatement and delinquency fee provisions.
How does a Colorado psychologist get prescriptive authority?
Through the prescription certificate created by HB23-1071, effective August 7, 2023.
CRS 12-245-309(2) asks for a doctoral program in psychology; a master of science in an APA-designated clinical psychopharmacology program with at least 450 classroom hours, or education set by board rule with the approval of the Colorado medical board; ASPPB's psychopharmacology examination for psychologists; a supervised practicum over 12 to 24 months including at least 750 hours treating at least 150 clients; and an independent peer review.
Certificate holders carry $1 million per incident and $3 million aggregate liability insurance and complete at least 40 hours of pharmacology and psychopharmacology CE every two years.
Is there a master's-level psychology licence in Colorado?
No. Colorado's psychology statute issues no master's-level credential: the Psychologist Candidate registration belongs to doctoral graduates, and the Provisional Psychologist licence is a doctoral-level, residential-childcare setting credential.
Master's-level clinicians in Colorado — LPCs, MFTs and LCSWs — are licensed under different DPO boards.
If you hold a master's in psychology and want to practise clinically, compare those boards' requirements on their DPO pages and confirm your fit with the board before enrolling in any program.
Can a Colorado psychologist use PSYPACT?
Yes.
The PSYPACT Commission map, as read in September 2026, lists Colorado as a member in effect since July 1, 2020 (HB 1017, enacted April 12, 2018), and CRS 12-245-308 directs the board to facilitate Colorado's participation.
The compact covers doctoral-level psychologists, so a licensed Colorado psychologist can use it to practise telepsychology or work temporarily in person in other participating states.
If you are licensed elsewhere and want to move to Colorado permanently, contact the board — the sources for this page do not record an endorsement route for the base licence.
More Colorado & Clinical Psychologist Resources
Sources
- Colorado Revised Statutes 12-245-304 to -309 (CRS 2024 official printout, Title 12 excerpt) (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- Colorado General Assembly — HB23-1071, Licensed Psychologist Prescriptive Authority (bill page) (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- HB23-1071 signed act (enrolled copy) (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- Colorado DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations — Colorado Psychology Homepage (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- Colorado DPO — Colorado Psychology Applications and Forms (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- Colorado DPO — Colorado Psychology CPD (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- Colorado DPO — Colorado Credential Requirements: Mental Health (chart, PDF modified 2026-09-03) (retrieved 2026-09-24)
- PSYPACT Commission — PSYPACT Map (retrieved 2026-09-24)
Sourced from the statute, rules, board pages and other documents cited above.
Verified September 2026.
This is career information, not legal or clinical advice — confirm current rules with the State Board of Psychologist Examiners (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations).