Applicant FAQ

Applicant Q&A

Below you will find helpful Q&A listed by topic.

Application Process

Q1. When can I apply for a license?

A1. You may begin submitting materials (references, transcripts, etc.) before you apply, and we will hold them for up to 6 months. Do not complete your fingerprinting more than 90 days prior to application submission. You are not an “applicant” until you submit your application and receive your confirmation email. If you’ll be graduating soon, you can apply up to 6 months in advance of your degree conferral date. Applications are reviewed for completeness when all required items (and any additional information requested by staff) have been received.

Q2. How do I know where I am in the process?

A2. Following submission, you can log in to the Applicant Portal to see the status of your application, including documents received to date. Please allow a few business days for staff to process your documents and update their status. We recommend checking the Portal often to ensure you stay on track.

Q3. When will my application be reviewed?

A3. An application will be reviewed for completeness when all supporting documents (references, transcripts, verifications, etc.) are received, along with the results of your background check and any other clarifying information requested by the Board. If the applicant has met the requirements, the application will be approved.

Q4. What does it mean to be an “approved applicant”?

A4. An approved applicant (candidate for licensure) is eligible to sit for the exams and may be considered for a residency contract. You will receive an approval email with further detail, and your application status will show "Application Approved" in the Applicant Portal.

Q5. How long does the application process take?

A5. Keep in mind that we will need all of the required items before we can review an application. We recommend that you request your license verification(s) and the file transfer (if applicable) as early as possible, as some states do not complete these requests expeditiously. You should also complete your fingerprints as soon as possible (but not more than 90 days prior to application submission), as Oregon State Police takes about a week (or longer during busy times) to process and send the background check results to the Board.

Q6. How much time do I have to complete the application process?

A6. From the date your application is submitted, you have one year to complete your application file. You can check your submission date in the Applicant Portal. If your application is approved, you have two years to finish the remaining requirements for licensure (exams and experience). The Board will consider requests for extensions with good cause.

Q7. When can I take my exams?

A7. You can request to sit for the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) or the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (OJE) any time after you’ve received notice that your application for licensure has been approved. You may take them in whichever order you prefer. Note that you must complete the process and become licensed within 2 years of passing the OJE. Otherwise, you will be required to take and pass it again.

Q8. What if I do not complete the application process?

A8. Your file will be archived and kept for one year from the date it was received. Once the retention period has ended, files are securely destroyed. If you wish to reapply later, you must submit another application and fee. If we still possess your prior application file, records such as your EPPP score report, transcript, and supervised work experience verifications/reports may be reused. Every application requires a new background check, so you will need to complete fingerprinting again.

Q9. If I do not qualify, or if I request to withdraw my application, will I be refunded?

A9. No. Application and background check fees are non-refundable.

Q10. Once my license is issued, when will I first renew?

A10. New licensees have a grace period that lasts until their next birth month. The first renewal is due by the last day of the birth month. If you're licensed in your birth month, then it will be the next year's birth month when you first renew. Licensure is paid in advance for the next two years.

Q11. When will I first renew after I'm first licensed?

A11. Your grace period lasts less than 13 months, and the duration depends on the timing of licensure. The application fee covers the application and initial license issuance, and is separate from the fees required to maintain your license (renewal fees). New licensees receive a courtesy grace (free licensure) period that lasts until their next birth month. After that, you pay a renewal fee that covers the two-year period going forward.

Residency- Beginning

Q1. What does it mean to be a “resident”?

A1. A psychologist resident is a candidate for licensure who has a Board-approved residency supervision contract and is working in Oregon towards completing the supervised work experience requirement for licensure. A resident is also an approved applicant because the application must be approved before a residency contract may be approved. Please see our Residency Webpage for more info.

DO NOT BEGIN RENDERING PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES BEFORE YOUR CONTRACT IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD, OR AFTER YOUR CONTRACT IS TERMINATED OR EXPIRED. THIS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO BOARD SANCTION.

Q2. Can I just submit a residency contract, and have it approved by the Board without applying for licensure?

A2. No. As described above, you must be an approved applicant in order to qualify for a residency contract. The Board does not just authorize individuals to practice psychology in the State of Oregon without verifying that they have met the educational, character and fitness, and other requisite qualifications.

Q3. How do I qualify for a residency contract?

A3. A Resident Supervision Contract is for licensure candidates who need to complete the post-degree supervised work experience requirement in Oregon. It is not for those who have already completed the requirement. You must first apply for licensure, submit all of the required materials, and then be notified by the Board that your application is approved.

Q4. When can I begin post-doctoral supervised practice (residency) in Oregon?

A4. When you receive notification from the Board that your residency contract has been approved. A contract may be approved once your application for licensure has been approved. Please see our Residency Webpage for more info.

DO NOT BEGIN RENDERING PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES BEFORE YOUR CONTRACT IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD. THIS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO BOARD SANCTION.

Q5. I am done with school, but my degree won’t be officially awarded for another month or so. I’ve been offered a job practicing psychology in Oregon and they want me to start work now. Can I start my residency now? Will my post-doc hours “count?”

A5. Not only will your hours not count, but you would be practicing illegally! You cannot start a residency until your application has been approved and you have an approved Contract for Supervision of a Psychologist Resident. There is a limited exception for individuals working in an “exempt setting.”

Q6. What is an "exempt setting"?

A6. An exempt setting is where a person is employed by:

A city, state or federal government agency;
A community mental health program (CMHP) designated by the State of Oregon; or
A drug and alcohol treatment program licensed or certified by the State of Oregon.

The exemption only applies when the person works at the exempt site and within their scope of employment. The exemption is only valid for 24 months from the time the person begins practicing psychology at an exempt site. The 24-month time limit does not restart if the person ceases practicing and then begins again, and does not reset if the person begins working at a different exempt site. The exemption disallows the person from using "psychologist" in their title. So, without a Board-approved residency contract, a practitioner may not use the title “psychologist resident.”

Q7. If I work in an exempt setting without a residency contract, will my hours count towards licensure?

A7. No, unless the work was performed prior to August 1, 2018.

Q8. Can I complete my supervised work experience in another state or Canadian province, and do I need an Oregon contract?

A8. You may complete your post-doctoral work experience outside of Oregon. For the experience to qualify, you must be supervised by a psychologist and meet all other requirements of OAR 858-010-0036 (psychological service hours, weekly supervision, duration, etc.). You do not need an Oregon residency contract when you are working outside of Oregon; however, you should check the regulations in the jurisdiction where you intend to practice.

Q9. What is the criteria for my supervisor to be approved?

A9. The basic requirement is that a supervisor, both primary and associate, is in good standing with the Board and has been an Oregon licensed psychologist for at least two years in Oregon or in a jurisdiction with licensing standards comparable to Oregon. The supervisor needs to be competent in the areas in which the resident practices. Contract review is case-by-case, and approval is at the discretion of the Board.

Q10. Do I need to name an Associate Supervisor in my contract?

A10. You are not required to name an associate supervisor, but it is a good idea in case your supervisor is away for some reason. You may list your associate supervisor on the initial contract. Or, if you make arrangements after your initial contract has been approved, simply submit another Contract for Supervision of a Psychologist Resident form, and check "Add Associate Supervisor at Primary Work Site."

Q11. Do I need to name my Group Supervisor in the contract?

A11. No. The Board does not need to approve group supervisors- your primary supervisor does. The facilitator must be a licensed psychologist.

Q12. What title do I use?

A12. A resident must be designated at all times by the title “psychologist resident.” All signed materials, letterhead, business cards, telephone directory listings, brochures, insurance billings and any other public or private representation must include the resident’s title and the supervisor’s name and designation as “supervisor.” You may also use the title “doctor” once you have a board-approved residency contract.

Q13. How does a Resident bill insurance?

A13. By law, insurance billings must include the resident’s name and title, and the supervisor’s name and designation as “supervisor.” The APA’s “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002)” states “in their reports to payors for services or sources of research funding, psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure the accurate reporting of the nature of service provided or research conducted, the fees, charges, or payments, and where applicable, the identity of the provider, the findings, and the diagnosis.” [6.06 Accuracy in Reports to Payors and Funding Sources]. It is fraudulent to submit insurance claims indicating that the supervisor was the person “rendering service” or was the “service provider” when, in fact, the resident provided the psychological service.

Q14. What types of activities can I count towards the requirement?

A14. You may count "psychological services," including the following activities:

Evaluation services (assessing or diagnosing mental disorders or mental functioning, including administering, scoring, and interpreting tests of mental abilities or personality)
Providing therapy services (treating mental disorders)
Consultation regarding diagnosis or treatment
Research related to client services
Writing clinical reports, progress notes, and professional correspondence related to services provided
Receiving formal training including workshops and conferences, as approved by your supervisor
Supervision of others performing psychological services (practicum students, interns)
Individual and group supervision meetings

Note: List all psychological service hours, including supervision, on your hours log under “Total Hours of Psychological Services Performed in Week.”

The following activities are not included:

Business development such as marketing or credentialing activities
Business management activities such as creating forms or purchasing
Administrative billing
Orientation or administrative staff meetings
Teaching a class or lecturing on a psychology topic
Research that is not directly related to the client services you are providing
Trainings that do not deal with substantive psychological issues, for example, word processing computer skills, marketing, investments, or practice building strategies.

Q15. Does my supervisor need to work at the same site as me?

A15. No. But you will need to meet with your supervisor on a weekly basis, either in-person in a professional setting or through live, synchronous confidential electronic communications.

Q16. Do I need to receive weekly supervision?

A16. Yes. If you work 1–20 hours in a week, you must receive at least one hour of individual supervision during that week. If you work more than 20 hours in a week, you must receive at least two hours of supervision; one hour must be individual and one hour may be group supervision. You may only delay supervision by up to 14 days on a non-regular basis (see below). If your work in a particular week does not comply with the weekly supervision requirements, then those hours cannot be counted towards the supervised work experience requirement (duration or hours). Also, you and your supervisor may be subject to Board review for improper supervision in violation of rule.

Q17. What is a “week” on the hours log?

A17. “Week” means the period from Monday to Sunday.

Q18. If I don’t work for a week, do I still need supervision?

A18. No. Your hours log does not need to reflect any supervision for weeks that you are not performing psychological services. Simply list “0” in the psychological services and supervision columns.

Q19. When is it OK to delay supervision?

A19. Weekly individual one-on-one supervision hours may be delayed in full hour increments up to 14 days for vacation, illness, travel, or inclement weather only on a non-routine basis. There should not be a pattern of delayed supervision; your supervisor must be regularly available to provide weekly in-person supervision. Group supervision may not be delayed.

Q20. How do I log delayed supervision on my hours log?

A20. You must document your psychological service and supervision hours contemporaneously in the week in which it actually occurs.

Q21. Can I complete extra hours of supervision ahead of time instead of delaying it?

A21. No. Supervision may not be applied towards future weeks. For example, in anticipation of a vacation, you may not receive extra supervision in the week prior and then count it towards the week your supervisor will be gone.

Q22. Who pays for a resident’s supervision?

A22. In Oregon, ORS 675.661 requires the employer to pay.

Residency- Ongoing & Ending

Q1. I am taking a leave from my residency. Do I need to notify the Board?

A1. A brief leave such as a week-long vacation does not need to be reported. Leaves that you know or expect to exceed two weeks, such as medical/pregnancy leave, need to be reported. You may simply send your notification by email to the Board’s office at psychology.board@mhra.oregon.gov. Be sure to include the dates of the leave and, if you are unsure of the duration, follow-up when you return to practice.

Q2. I will be changing supervisors to another psychologist in the office. What do we need to do?

A2. You will need to submit another Contract for Supervision of a Psychologist Resident form, and check the "Change in Primary or Associate Supervisor" box this time. The contract modification is not valid until approved by the Board. You will need to submit your final residency documents (final evaluations and hours log) for work completed under your old supervisor, and make sure to indicate a termination date on the Final Resident Evaluation Form.

Q3. I am moving to a new practice location, but my supervisor will remain the same. Do I need to submit another contract form?

A3. No, you'll need to notify the Board’s office at psychology.board@mhra.oregon.gov. Log in to the Licensee Portal to update your public and/or mailing address.

Q4. How long do I have to complete my residency?

A4. A residency contract is valid for up to 2 years from the date it is approved by the Board. When your contract is approved, you will be informed of the expiration date.

Q5. What if I complete my 1,500 hours of post-doctoral supervised work experience in 11 months?

A5. Residents must complete 1,500 hours in a period not less than 12 months. Both elements of the residency year- the duration and the hours of psychological services performed- are key to the success of a residency. The 12 months of supervised work experience must include a minimum total of 50 weeks during which psychological services were performed in conformance with OAR 858-010-0036.

Q6. My residency contract is expiring soon, and I am going to fall short of the 1,500 hours. Can I get an extension?

A6. The Board may consider extending a residency contract for good cause. The resident and supervisor must submit a reasonable explanation of the need and a viable plan for completion of the residency. Contract extensions are intended for residents who have been unable to complete their hours within the time allotted. The extension request form must be submitted to the Board prior to the expiration of the contract. An expired contract cannot be extended.

Q7. I have completed my required 1,500 hours in at least 12 months, but I still need the exam(s). Can I get an extension or a new residency contract?

A7. Residency status is a transitional step toward licensure and is not intended as a means to avoid licensure. A residency contract will not be approved or extended for someone who has already completed the post-doctoral supervised work experience requirement. There is only one exception: the Board may consider granting a brief contract extension only (up to six months) for extraordinary circumstances, and only if the resident has demonstrated sufficient progress towards meeting the examination requirements for licensure. Again, an expired contract cannot be extended, and a new contract cannot be approved for those who have met the experience requirement. The purpose of the contract is to authorize a candidate to provide supervised psychological services in Oregon for a limited time to complete their residency hours so they can qualify for licensure. It is not meant to allow a person to continue to practice unlicensed. Note that an original resident contract will be approved for up to two years, and you may continue to work until the stated expiration date, regardless of whether you have reached 12 months and 1,500 hours.

DO NOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AFTER YOUR CONTRACT HAS EXPIRED. THIS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO BOARD SANCTION.

Q8. How do I end my residency?

A8. You may terminate a resident supervision contract simply by filling in the termination date on the Final Resident Evaluation Form. Alternatively, a termination may be granted upon written request to the Board by the resident or supervisor. The Board must be notified in writing within 14 days of any significant interruption or termination of the contract.

Q9. What final documents does the Board need once my residency is completed?

A9. You will need to submit: 1) a Final Resident Evaluation Form that has been reviewed and signed by your primary and associate supervisor(s) (if any); 2) the attestation slip from each Final Supervisor Evaluation Form; and 3) a Record of Supervised Hours Form from each supervisor. These are due within 30 days of the conclusion or termination of the Resident Supervision Contract.

Endorsement (Out-of-State) Applicants

Q1. For the endorsement application procedure, what does it mean to “possess and have maintained an active license”?

A1. To qualify for licensure by endorsement, you must possess an “active license,” which means a current, practicing-status license. This includes semi-retired or semi-active statues, so long as you are currently authorized by the jurisdiction to practice psychology. It does not include inactive status licenses, or those that have not been renewed or re-registered to practice psychology in the jurisdiction. You must possess an active license not only at the time of application, but also at the time of licensure.

There are some different requirements depending on how long you have maintained your active license to practice psychology. To have “maintained” an active license means you have held the active license for a cumulative total number of years, excluding periods of lapse or non-practicing status.

Q2. How do I document my post-doc work experience completed in another state?

A2. Standard and endorsement applicants who have maintained an active license for less than 15 years must submit sufficient documentation to demonstrate that they have met the post-doc work experience requirement for licensure. To qualify, post-doc must consist of psychological services that are completed after degree conferral (as posted on your transcript) and must be supervised by a licensed psychologist. Hours completed prior to degree conferral do not qualify as post- doc, regardless of when the coursework, internship, or dissertation degree requirements were completed.

Experience is most commonly documented using a Supervisor Reference Form, which must be completed by your supervisor(s) and sent directly to the Board’s office. Another option is to request that your other licensing state send a copy of your file directly to the Board office. Those files must have sufficient information to document that the requirements were met.

Q3. What if I fall short on the experience requirement?

A3. Approved applicants who have completed a partial residency (less than 1,500 qualifying hours over a minimum of 50 weeks) in another state may complete the remainder of their experience in Oregon under a Board-approved residency contract. Please visit the Residency Webpage for more information. Note that supervised work experience completed in another state while you are licensed (for example, in a state that does not require a residency) may qualify if all of the requirements are met under OAR 858-010-0036.

Education Requirements

Q1. Does my internship need to be APPIC approved to qualify for licensure?

A1. No, Oregon does not require an APPIC internship.

Q2. May I personally deliver a sealed transcript from my school?

A2. No. The Board requires primary source verification. Official transcripts must be transmitted (emailed or mailed) directly from the school to the Oregon Board of Psychology. Please request that those be sent to psychology.board@mhra.oregon.gov. We can also accept transcripts sent directly from your other state licensing board via file transfer.

Q3. Can I have my program send a degree verification letter in lieu of a transcript showing my degree conferral date?

A3. No. There is no substitute for an official transcript showing the date of degree conferral.

Q4. Does my doctoral degree in psychology need to be from an accredited program to qualify?

A.4. Degrees from programs in the United States or Canada must have been programatically accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) as of the date the degree was awarded. This is only waived for those who qualifiy for Licensure by Endorsement (>15 years in another state), or for degrees completed outside of the U.S. or Canada, which have different requirements.

Q5. Do I qualify for licensure with a degree in Counseling?

A5. No, not unless the degree is from an APA- or CPA-accredited program in Counseling Psychology.

Q6. Can I become licensed as a psychologist with a master’s degree?

A6. No. You must possess a doctoral degree in psychology from an approved doctoral program in psychology.

Q7. I received my degree in Germany- do I qualify for licensure?

A7. All applicants for licensure with degrees from educational institutions outside the United States or Canada must first be evaluated by a Board-recognized credentialing body. Board staff cannot pre-review and advise on a person’s qualifications. Applicants should closely review the educational requirements before making a decision to apply.

Forms & Verifications

Q1. May I obtain the license verification or a copy of my licensure file from my other state and forward it to the Board?

A1. No. Primary source verification is required, so verification and files must be sent to the Board’s office directly from the other state. The state may send the documents to us electronically at psychology.board@mhra.oregon.gov.

Q2. May I collect the supervisor reference forms and send them in myself?

A2. No. Reference forms must be sent directly from the person who completes the form.

Q3. Will the Board reach out to my references for me?

A3. No. Applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting that their references complete and submit necessary forms, and following up as necessary to ensure timely application processing.

Q4. When do I have my supervisor complete a reference form?

A4. The form should be completed when your supervised work experience is complete. The reference form cannot verify experience that has not actually been completed (i.e., include expected hours). If you apply while you are completing your residency out-of-state, then we need the supervisor reference form as a part of the initial application in order to approve you, and then later another form once the residency is complete to verify that you have met the experience requirements for licensure.

Q5. The University Director of Training at my program is no longer working at my school. Do I need to track this person down?

A5. No, the person who is currently in this position (and has access to your records) should complete this form. Note: this form is only required for applicants with degrees outside of the U.S. or Canada.

Q6. Why all the reference forms?

A6. The forms have two purposes: 1) to verify that your education and experience meet the requirements for licensure, and 2) to endorse an applicant’s character and fitness.

Criminal Background Checks / Character & Fitness Review

Q1: Who must get fingerprinted?

A1: All applicants for licensure must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal background check.

Q2. May I use a background check recently done by my employer or another state agency?

A2. No. All applicants must be fingerprinted for a background check. Background checks contain highly sensitive information, and Oregon State Police and the FBI do not allow secondary dissemination of criminal history information, even between state agencies.

Q3: How do I start my background check?

A3: Follow the fingerprinting instructions. The background check fee is included with the application fee.

Q4: Is there a separate fingerprinting fee?

A4: Yes. The background check fee paid to the Board covers the actual cost for us to have your Oregon and FBI background check performed. The fingerprinting fee is separate and assessed by the business providing fingerprint services. The state has contracted with Fieldprint, Inc. to provide low-cost electronic fingerprint capture services across the country. The current contracted fee is $12.50/ print.

Q5: Can I have electronic fingerprint capture done from out of state?

A5: Yes, starting March 26, 2015. Fieldprint, Inc. has locations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Click here to search for a Fieldprint location near you.

Q6: May I still use the “standard” fingerprinting method (ink prints) if I am completing my fingerprinting out of state and am not located near a Fieldprint location?

A6: Yes. Please request a standard fingerprinting packet via psychology.board@mhra.oregon.gov and we will mail it to you. Fingerprinting services are available from local law enforcement agencies. Search for “fingerprinting services” to find one near you. We recommend that you utilize a reputable technician to avoid rejected prints that could delay the process for you. Note that you will need to use the FD-258 card that we send to you.

Q7: What is the difference between standard fingerprinting and electronic capture?

A7: Standard fingerprinting is done with ink on the provided FD-258 card. You must follow the instructions on the ID Verification form and return the card to the Board, and then we forward the cards to the Oregon State Police for processing. With electronic fingerprint capture via Fieldprint, digital images of your fingerprints are taken and then sent electronically to Oregon State Police. The standard fingerprinting can usually be completed from start to finish in 2-3 weeks. Electronic capture typically takes a week or so.

Q8: Will I be charged again if my fingerprints are rejected?

A8: No, not if your prints are only rejected once. We will send you a new card and you will need to get reprinted. If the prints are rejected for a second time, we will be charged (and we will charge you) another fee of $45 for a third submission. Cards will be rejected if they do not meet FBI quality standards or if the instructions are not followed.

Q9. Do I need to disclose on my application any arrest or conviction?

A9. The Board expects applicants to be forthright and to disclose any misdemeanor or felony arrests or convictions – even if they have been expunged, and to provide a complete explanation. You do not need to disclose expunged juvenile records.

Q10. Will my criminal conviction prevent me from becoming licensed?

A10. Every situation is different and is considered on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked on your application to provide a complete explanation, and that is your opportunity to convey to the Board what happened. Under current Oregon law, ORS 181A.195(10)(c), the Board must consider:

(A) The nature of the crime;
(B) The facts that support the conviction or pending indictment or that indicate the making of a false statement;
(C) The relevancy, if any, of the crime or the false statement to the specific requirements of the subject individual’s present or proposed position, services, employment, license, certification or registration; and
(D) Intervening circumstances relevant to the responsibilities and circumstances of the position, services, employment, license, certification, registration or permit, such as:

(i) The passage of time since the commission of the crime;
(ii) The age of the subject individual at the time of the crime;
(iii) The likelihood of a repetition of offenses or of the commission of another crime;
(iv) The subsequent commission of another relevant crime;
(v) Whether the conviction was set aside and the legal effect of setting aside the conviction; and
(vi) The recommendation of an employer.

At this time, there is no list of crimes that create an automatic bar to licensure. Please also refer to OAR 858-010-0034, Criminal Records Checks and Fitness Determinations, and OAR Ch. 125, Div. 7, Criminal Records Checks and Fitness Determination Rules.

Q11. Can I learn whether my criminal conviction will prevent me from becoming licensed before I begin an educational program for a psychologist license?

A11. Yes, you may petition the Board for a predetermination as to whether your criminal conviction will prevent you from becoming licensed.