How To Become a Psychologist in Oregon

The Oregon psychology licensure process includes education, clinical training, and exam requirements. Explore the details with this career resource.

JTSH
Written by James M. TobinEdited by Scott Harris

Updated on September 10, 2026

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:

Psychologist Salaries in Oregon
Job TitleLowest 10%Average Annual SalaryHighest 10%
Clinical and counseling psychologists$93,600$134,350$163,340
School psychologists$64,55083,710$101,920106,070$136,120146,320
Psychologists, all other$81,800$86,680$146,240
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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 currently a standardized two-part exam knowledge and skills that tests your knowledge of the theories, methods, and practices psychologists use, though it will transition to a single integrated exam starting in the fourth quarter of 2027. 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 the EPPP (which currently requires passing both sections until the integrated exam takes effect in the fourth quarter of 2027)

  • 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 September 2024, Oregon Congressional representative Andrea Salinas described the state as being in a "mental health and addiction crisis." Salinas noted that the legislation would help Oregon deal with its unmet mental health treatment needs by providing scholarships to students pursuing degrees in behavioral health fields.

Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) echoes Salinas' view of Oregon's mental health care landscape. According to KFF data from December 2025, Oregon meets just 30% of its mental health care needs. While this exceeds the national average of 27.3%, it still means that about 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 September 2026:

Growth Projections for Psychology Professions in Oregon, 2024-2034
Job TitleJob Growth (2024-2034)
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists+17.4%
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists+8.7%
Psychologists, All Other+8.4%
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary+5%
School Psychologists+4.9%
Source: Projections Central