Psychology in Oregon: Learn About Becoming a Psychologist in OR
The Oregon psychology licensure process includes education, clinical training, and exam requirements. Explore the details with this career resource.
Oregon has a pressing need for mental health and addiction treatment professionals, creating strong opportunities for licensed psychologists. To become licensed in Oregon, you must meet the standards laid out by the Oregon Board of Psychology.
This career resource explains Oregon psychology licensure requirements, providing a roadmap you can use to plan your professional development journey.
Psychologist Salaries in Oregon
Psychologists in Oregon generally earn salaries that compare favorably to national averages. The following table explores the state’s salary ranges for various psychology specializations:
| Job Title | Lowest 10% | Average Annual Salary | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $63,070 | $129,470 | $208,730 |
| School psychologists | $64,550 | $101,920 | $136,120 |
| Psychologists, all other | $62,820 | $125,130 | $190,800 |
Psychologist Licensing in Oregon
The Oregon Board of Psychology requires a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited program and at least one year (1,500 hours) of supervised post-doctoral clinical work experience under a licensed psychologist.
In addition, you must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (OJE). The EPPP is a standardized two-part, multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of the theories, methods, and practices psychologists use. The OJE covers Oregon’s professional ethics laws and best practices.
Oregon offers license reciprocity through its licensure by endorsement program. To qualify, you must hold an active license based on a psychology doctorate, issued by a jurisdiction with membership in the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
If you have been licensed for 15 years or more, you can seek licensure by endorsement by applying directly to the Oregon Board of Psychology. If you have been licensed for less than 15 years, you must submit an application along with three references from qualified mental health professionals.
License Requirements for Psychologists in Oregon
To satisfy Oregon psychology licensure requirements, you must have all of the following qualifications:
- A doctoral degree in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association or the Canadian Psychological Association
- At least 1,500 hours of supervised post-doctoral clinical training, completed over a period of no less than 12 months
- Passing scores on the OJE and both sections of the EPPP
- Pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oregon State Police
Demand for Psychology in Oregon
In November 2024, Oregon Congressional representative Andrea Salinas described the state as being in a “mental health and addiction crisis.” Salinas acknowledged a pressing need to hire more mental health professionals to help Oregon deal with its unmet mental health treatment needs.
Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) echoes Salinas’ view of Oregon’s mental health care landscape. According to KFF data from December 2024, Oregon meets just 30.6% of its mental health care needs. While this exceeds the national average of 26.4%, it still means that nearly 70% of Oregon’s population lacks adequate access to mental health services.
Given these trends, it makes sense that labor market analysts project strong near-term growth across many psychology specializations. The following table explores these trends, using data retrieved from Projections Central in March 2025:
| Job Title | Job Growth (2022-32) |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | +23.4% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | +15.8% |
| Psychologists, All Other | +8.6% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | +11.5% |
| School Psychologists | +6.5% |
