Psychology in Oregon: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in Oregon
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Oregon is a culturally diverse state that boasts both urban and rural living options. The state ranks fourth in the U.S. for best psychologist salaries and makes an attractive choice for licensed psychologists.
Find out how to become a psychologist in Oregon by exploring the Oregon Board of Psychology’s licensing requirements, the demand for psychology professionals, and expected Oregon psychologist salary ranges.
Psychologist Salaries in Oregon
In general, psychologists in Oregon earn above-average salaries compared to national averages for clinical and counseling psychologists, school psychologists, and all other types of psychologists.
The following table breaks down the state’s salary ranges for licensed psychologists.
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Median Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $63,070 | $126,830 | $208,730 |
| School psychologists | $64,550 | $99,840 | $136,120 |
| Psychologists, all other | $62,820 | $124,720 | $190,800 |
Psychologist Licensing in Oregon
Psychologist licensing in Oregon is regulated by the Oregon Board of Psychology. Obtaining a psychologist license in Oregon requires earning a doctorate in psychology and completing a year-long residency, which must include at least 1,500 hours of psychological services under a licensed psychologist’s supervision.
You must also pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and Oregon’s jurisprudence exam. The Oregon Board of Psychology honors license reciprocity for out-of-state psychologists licensed at the doctoral level and in good standing.
Psychologists who have been licensed for more than 15 years must submit an endorsement reference and a license verification request. Those licensed for less than 15 years must submit these forms, plus a supervisor reference.
License Requirements
To obtain psychologist licensing in Oregon, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- 1 Graduate from an American Psychological Association-accredited doctoral psychology program, or a comparably accredited doctoral program for international students.
- 2 Complete at least 1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised experience in the previous year.
- 3 Submit a licensure application to the Oregon Board of Psychology and pay the $325 fee.
- 4 Pay $46.25 and submit fingerprints to the state for the criminal background check.
- 5 Pay a $691.88 fee and pass both the knowledge and skills sections of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- 6 Pay the $155 and pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Examination.
Demand for Psychology in Oregon
O*NET Online, an information resource aligned with the U.S. Department of Labor, projects 11% employment growth for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists in Oregon from 2020-30. This matches O*NET Online’s national projections for the same time frame.
Data published by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) in November 2023 indicates a pronounced scarcity of mental health care professionals in Oregon. According to the KFF, only 27.8% of Oregon’s needs in noted professional shortage areas were met when the survey was produced. This outpaced the national average by about 2.2%.
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that Oregon had the highest rate of drug addiction in the United States. This speaks to a pressing need for psychologists and counselors specializing in substance abuse treatments and interventions.
Furthermore, a 2021 study published by the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) found that Oregon had just 1.25 mental health care providers per 1,000 residents. OHSU also reported that nearly 20% of the state’s service areas had a total lack of local mental health care services.
Page last reviewed on April 16, 2024
