Connecticut Psychology Licensure Requirements

In the state of Connecticut, psychology licensure is regulated by the state Department of Public Health (DPH). In order to obtain a license, candidates are required to have a doctoral degree, complete supervised work experience, and pass state exams. Because this process may be daunting, we have created this step-by-step outline to help guide you through each requirement.

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Licensed Psychologist
• Licensure by Reciprocity
• License Renewal and Continuing Education
• Related Licenses
• Jobs and Salary Information
• Additional Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Become a Psychologist in Connecticut

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.

Earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college is the first step in completing the educational requirements for your license to practice psychology. The bachelor’s degree does not have to be in the field of psychology, but if it is not, you will likely have to complete certain prerequisite courses before beginning a graduate psychology program. Earning a bachelor’s degree in any subject typically takes four full-time years and 120 course credits to complete.

While it is not required, if you prefer to gain additional experience before beginning your doctoral program or if your bachelor’s degree is not in the field of psychology, you may choose to complete a stand-alone master’s program. However, keep in mind that many doctoral programs include a master’s degree as part of the course of study. A stand-alone master’s degree in psychology normally takes two years, for a total of 30 to 40 credits, to complete.

2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.

Earning your doctorate in psychology is the major educational step required for becoming a licensed psychologist in Connecticut. There are two types of psychology doctoral degrees: the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology. The type of degree you choose to pursue should be based on your specific interests within the field of psychology. Visit this page for more information on the differences between the two degrees.

The state of Connecticut requires that candidates attend doctoral programs that are American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited or equivalent (subject to Board review). While most doctoral programs take between four and seven years to complete, the total length of time to complete a doctoral degree is largely dependent on whether the program also includes a master’s degree and whether you pursue an area of specialty.

For more about Connecticut’s doctoral programs, please visit our Psychology Schools in Connecticut page.

3. Submit your applicant information form to the DPH.

After your doctoral degree is complete, the next step is to complete an online application form. The application can only be completed online and requires all new users to register with a username, password, and email address. You will be notified via email when your application form is approved and you can continue the application process. In addition to completing the form, you will also be asked to pay an application fee of $565.

4. Gain one year of supervised work experience in your area of training.

The state of Connecticut requires that applicants complete at least one year of supervised work experience (SWE) at the pre- or post-doctoral level before being licensed. Internships that may have been required in your doctoral program do NOT count towards SWE. The work experience must amount to a minimum of 35 hours per week for at least 46 weeks in a 12-month period or be at least 1,800 hours within 24 consecutive months. A maximum of 40 hours per week are able to be submitted towards this requirement.

The supervisor must have a doctorate in psychology and be licensed in the state where you complete the SWE. For each 40-hour week of SWE, supervision must consist of at least three hours, one of which must be individual, face-to-face supervision. In planning for your SWE, if you are unsure whether your work will meet the state’s requirements, you may want to submit an SWE Pre-Approval Form for pre-approval. This is not required, but is an option to ensure your SWE plan will count towards licensure.

5. Submit all verifying documents to the DPH.

Once you have completed your SWE hours you must submit documentation that verifies your completion of a doctoral program, as well as documentation of your SWE hours and supervision. Only after this documentation is received and approved by the DPH will you be given written permission to register online for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Connecticut Jurisprudence Examination. Documentation from your doctoral program must be in the form of an official transcript and mailed directly from the institution where you completed your studies. Documentation of your SWE hours must be mailed directly from your supervisor using this form.

6. Pass the Connecticut psychology licensing exams.

In order to obtain your psychology license in Connecticut, you must take the standardized national EPPP as well as a state examination called the Connecticut Jurisprudence Examination. The EPPP is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and is designed to measure your understanding of the highest level psychological theories and practice situations and assesses your knowledge via 225 timed multiple choice questions.

Along with written permission from DPH to take the EPPP, you will be provided with instructions on how to complete the online registration for the test. Once you are registered, you have 60 days to schedule the exam at a Prometric Testing Center. You must receive a passing score of at least 500 to qualify for licensure in Connecticut. The ASPPB offers an EPPP practice test that can be very helpful in familiarizing you with the types of questions that will be asked as well as with the test setting and timed format.

The Connecticut Jurisprudence Exam consists of 25 multiple choice questions. You must score a minimum of 72.5%, answering at least 18 questions correctly, to pass the test. There is no fee to sit for this test and it is offered six times throughout the year. A study guide is available on the DPH website.

7. Receive your license from the DPH.

Your EPPP results should be submitted directly to the DPH using the score transfer service. Once your application is complete and all supporting documents have been submitted, you will be notified in three to four weeks if your license has been approved.

Connecticut Licensure by Reciprocity

If you have already been licensed and working as a psychologist in another state for at least five years, you may wish to transfer your license to the state of Connecticut. To qualify for this type of licensure, you must also hold a current Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) in Psychology from ASPPB verifying that you have completed all the necessary education, work experience, and examination regulations in your prior state of residence and that you have no outstanding disciplinary actions against your license.

To obtain a psychology license in Connecticut via reciprocity, you must complete the application form and pay the $565 application fee. Your CPQ verification must be sent directly to the DPH via the ASPPB. In addition, verification of all your current and prior licenses must be sent to the DPH via the verification of licensure form The final step in obtaining your license via reciprocity in Connecticut is scheduling and passing the Connecticut Jurisprudence Exam.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

The state of Connecticut requires at least 10 hours of continuing education (CE) per registration period, which encompasses one calendar year from when your license was issued. While there is no deadline for CE credits, there are certain required topics that your CE hours must cover. You must complete at least two hours of training or education on mental health conditions that are common to veterans and their families (e.g., screening for PTSD, depression and suicide assessment and prevention) during your first licensed year as a practitioner. Following that initial year, this requirement must be met at least once every six years. In addition, no more than five hours of CPE credits per year can be obtained via the internet, distance learning, or home study.

All CPE opportunities must be approved by the APA, a regionally-accredited institute of higher education graduate-level program, a nationally recognized provider of CE, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or a behavioral science organization that is professionally and scientifically recognized. You must obtain a certificate of completion from each CE activity that you complete and keep those certificates for at least three years after they are completed. Licensed psychologists applying for renewal for the first time are exempt from these CE requirements. Your state-issued license is due for renewal in the first month of your birth after it is issued and on an annual basis after that. You will receive notice of your renewal deadline 60 days prior to its expiration. An annual renewal fee of $570 is due at that time and a new license will be mailed to you during the third week of the following month from which the license was renewed. Renewals are completed via the DPH’s online portal.

Related Licenses

School Psychologist

School psychologists in Connecticut are regulated by the State Board of Education. To be eligible for their initial educator certificate, they must hold a master’s degree and have completed at least 45 semester hours of graduate education for school psychology at an approved institution. These 45 hours may have been a part of the master’s program, or completed separately. At least 10 school months of supervised experience must be completed within 20 school months in a school setting. A course in special education that is at least 36 clock hours in duration is also required. As of 2016, the Praxis test is no longer required for Connecticut school psychologist certification. Once these requirements are completed, applicants may receive the initial educator certificate required to practice school psychology in the state.

Connecticut Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2021, clinical and counseling psychologists earned an annual average salary of $116,740, school psychologists earned $90,620 on average, and postsecondary psychology teachers earned an average of $90,840.¹ The average salary for “all other” psychologists in Connecticut was $103,220.¹ According to Projections Central, the average growth predicted for “all other” psychologists in the state of Connecticut is 10.7% for the period of 2020-2030.² Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists are predicted to increase by an average growth of 5.1% over the same period of time, and postsecondary psychology teacher jobs are expected to grow by 9.8%.²

Additional Resources

• Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA): Formed in 1963 to promote the field of psychology in Connecticut, provides psychologists and psychology students with a forum for professional growth in the form of meetings, discussion, research, and the exchanging of ideas.
• Connecticut Association of School Psychologists (CASP): Supports school psychologists and school communities by providing professional learning and networking opportunities, promoting high standards in the profession, and providing resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a psychologist in Connecticut?

The answer is dependent on how long it takes to complete your education. A bachelor’s degree takes typically four years to complete, a master’s program (if separate from your doctorate) takes two years, and a doctoral program takes anywhere from four to seven years. After your education is completed, you must gain at least one year of supervised work experience, though some may choose to complete this requirement in two years. Based on this information, you should expect that it will take at least 10 years to become a licensed psychologist in Connecticut, while the exact amount depends on your educational and SWE choices.

What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in Connecticut?

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, which regulates psychology licenses in the state, you must have a doctorate in psychology to become licensed.

How much do psychologists in Connecticut make?

While the pay for psychologists depends on many factors including the type of psychologist, years of experience, and geographical area, the BLS reports that the average psychologist in Connecticut (excluding postsecondary teachers) earned $103,527 per year as of May 2021.¹

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2021 State Occupational and Employment Wage Estimates, Connecticut: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ct.htm
2. Projections Central, Long Term Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm