Clinical Psychopharmacology & Prescribing Psychology in Idaho
Idaho granted psychologists prescriptive authority in 2017, and it is home to one of the country's strongest training programs. Here is the path, the in-state MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology at Idaho State, online options, and Idaho psychologist salary.
Key Takeaways
- Idaho is one of six states that grant psychologists prescriptive authority, with its law passed in 2017 and the credential overseen by the Idaho Board of Psychologist Examiners.
- Idaho uses a provisional-to-full path. After the degree and exam, you complete two years and a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised prescribing under a physician supervision agreement, treating at least 50 separate patients, before full certification.
- The clinical psychopharmacology training must be at least two years of full-time didactic education, substantially equivalent to what an advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner completes in the state.
- Idaho State University runs the state's in-state, APA-designated MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, housed in its College of Pharmacy, the fourth program in the country to earn APA designation.
- Clinical and counseling psychologists in Idaho earn a median of $97,790 (BLS, May 2025), with prescribing psychologists generally earning above that baseline.
Idaho became a prescriptive-authority state in 2017, and it brings something distinctive to the table: one of the strongest training programs in the country sits inside the state. For a rural state with real gaps in psychiatric care, prescribing psychologists extend medication access to communities that would otherwise go without.
Idaho's path runs from a provisional certification to full prescriptive authority. Under Idaho Code 54-2316 and the Board of Psychologist Examiners rules, you must hold an Idaho psychology license and a doctorate, then complete a master's in clinical psychopharmacology that runs at least two years of full-time didactic education and is substantially equivalent to advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner training. After passing the PEP exam and earning provisional certification, you complete two years and a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised prescribing under a physician supervision agreement, treating at least 50 separate patients, before full certification. Prescribing psychologists collaborate with each patient's licensed medical provider.
Idaho State University offers the in-state, APA-designated MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, which is unusual in being housed in a College of Pharmacy and was the fourth such program in the country to earn APA designation. It is built to meet the Idaho requirements. Idaho psychologists can also complete any of the other APA-designated programs nationwide online, which we compare on our best online psychopharmacology programs page.
Clinical Psychopharmacology Programs for Idaho Psychologists
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho State University | See program for current tuition | In-person track at ISU-Meridian and an online asynchronous didactic-only track | |
| 2 | Drake University | See program for current tuition | 100% online | |
| 3 | Alliant International University | See program for current tuition | Online with live class sessions |
Idaho State University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 years
Field Hours
Built to meet Idaho's education requirements; supports the provisional supervised period
Concentrations
- The in-state, APA-designated MSCP program in Idaho
- Housed in a College of Pharmacy, the deepest biomedical setting available
- The fourth program in the country to earn APA designation
- In-person and online asynchronous tracks at ISU-Meridian
- Built specifically around Idaho's provisional prescribing requirements
Drake University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 to 3 years part-time
Field Hours
Supervised hours arranged to meet your state requirement
Concentrations
- Fully asynchronous, the most flexible APA-designated option online
- APA-designated for prescriptive authority preparation
- Available to Idaho residents entirely online
- No required live sessions to work around
- Strong fit for psychologists adding training to a full caseload
Alliant International University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 years
Field Hours
Supervised hours arranged to meet your state requirement
Concentrations
- Founded the first postdoctoral MSCP program in the country (CSPP, 1998)
- APA-designated, available to Idaho residents online
- Live online classes that keep the cohort connected
- Deep institutional expertise in professional psychology training
- A strong national alternative to the in-state ISU program
Idaho Prescriptive Authority (RxP) Requirements
Idaho Provisional and Full Prescriptive Authority (RxP)
Issued by: Idaho Board of Psychologist Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
- Hold a current Idaho psychology license and a doctorate in psychology from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete a master's in clinical psychopharmacology with at least two years of full-time didactic education, substantially equivalent to advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner training.
- Pass the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP) for provisional certification.
- Complete two years and a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised prescribing under a physician supervision agreement.
- See at least 50 separate patients for evaluation and treatment with formulary medications during the supervised period.
- Collaborate with each patient's licensed medical provider when issuing prescriptions.
Renewal
Prescribing psychologists complete continuing education in psychopharmacology to maintain prescriptive authority, in addition to the continuing education required for psychology licensure in Idaho.
Psychologist Salary in Idaho
Job Market
BLS Employment
About 300 clinical and counseling psychologists in Idaho (BLS, May 2025)
Projected Growth
6% projected growth for psychologists nationally through 2034
Top Employers
St. Luke's Health System, Saint Alphonsus, community mental health centers, rural health clinics, the VA, and private practices. With one of the country's lowest psychiatrist-to-population ratios, Idaho relies heavily on prescribing psychologists to extend medication access across rural communities.
How to Choose
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
In-state versus online. Idaho State University is the in-state program, housed in a pharmacy school and built around Idaho rules, with both in-person and online tracks. Other online programs are open to Idaho residents too.
The provisional period. Plan for two years and 2,000 supervised hours after the degree, not just the coursework.
Biomedical depth. Idaho expects training substantially equivalent to advanced practice nurse practitioner education. The ISU pharmacy-school setting is built for that.
APA designation. Idaho requires an APA-designated program. Every program we list holds it.
Cost and pace. Compare total cost and how each program's schedule fits your practice.
Related Pages
Best Online Clinical Psychopharmacology Programs
All seven APA-designated MSCP programs, ranked, including Idaho State.
How to Become a Prescribing Psychologist
The full RxP path, the PEP exam, and which states allow prescriptive authority.
Clinical Psychologist Salary
The baseline psychologist pay that prescriptive authority builds on.
Sources
- Idaho Code 54-2316, Prescriptive Authority (Psychologists)
- Rules of the Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners (24.12.01)
- Idaho Board of Psychologist Examiners (DOPL)
- Idaho State University, MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology
- APA, Designation of Postdoctoral Programs in Psychopharmacology
- BLS OEWS, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Idaho (May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists