EPPP
Overview
The EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) is a standardized, multiple-choice exam required for psychology licensure in North America, assessing foundational knowledge (Part 1) and, increasingly, applied skills (Part 2) for safe practice, developed by ASPPB and administered via Pearson VUE. Part 1 covers eight key content areas like biological bases, assessment, and ethics, with 225 questions (175 scored), while Part 2 (Skills) tests practical application, with all states expected to adopt it by 2026. Candidates must pass both parts, meet their state board’s eligibility, and apply through their licensing board to become a licensed psychologist.
Content Topic Areas
EPPP Part 1 – Knowledge
There are eight content areas included on the exam. Below a chart of the eight domains, the percentage each one constitutes, and some of the topics included:
- Biological Bases of Behavior : Neurobiological bases, genetic bases, drugs for psychological disorders, technology like brain imaging and genetic screening.
- Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior : Research-based theories and application; for example: learning, intelligence, memory, emotion, perception, language.
- Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior : Personalities, diversity, oppression, family systems, work groups.
- Growth and Lifespan Development : Individual-environmental interaction, family development, life events.
- Assessment and Diagnosis : Psychometric theories, assessment models, assessment instruments, assessment methods, epidemiology, use of technology.
- Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention and Supervision : Health promotion, risk reduction, rehabilitation with special populations, career development, healthcare systems and organizations.
- Research Methods and Statistics : Research design, data collection, sampling, statistics, evaluation strategies.
- Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues : APA and CPA principles and codes, patient rights, ethical decision-making
EPPP Part 2 – Skills
The EPPP has traditionally been a knowledge-based test, not a skills and application test; however, since Fall 2020, there has been a skills test addition, EPPP (Part 2 – Skills). The EPPP (Part 1 – Knowledge) will continue to be a requisite for becoming a licensed psychologist. Currently, it’s optional for licensing boards to decide to require the second part.
The EPPP (Part 2 – Skills) exam consists of the following six domains:
- Scientific Orientation to Practice : Scientific approaches to psychological problems, research interpretation, relevance of research literature.
- Assessment and Intervention : Aspects of assessment and diagnosis practices, interviewing techniques, intervention methods.
- Relational Competence : Professional relationship building, identity awareness, collaborative efforts, relationship management.
- Professionalism : Professional competence, scope of practice, professional development.
- Ethical Practice : Code of ethics in psychology practice, ethical standards and laws, ethical billing and decision-making practices.
- Collaboration, Consultation, and Supervision : Collaboration and cooperation within professional practice, intervention and decision-making strategies, compliance with policies and professional procedures.
Passing Score
The test has 225 questions, but only 175 of those are counted in the final score; the other 50 are counted as pretest questions. The raw score of the number of questions answered correctly is converted into a scaled score from 200-800.
Each jurisdiction’s board can set the minimum passing score, but as of 2019, each state has set it at 500, which is the minimum passing score recommended by the ASPPB for independent psychology practice. However, for supervised psychology practice, the ASPPB recommends a minimum score of 450; this score differs among jurisdictions.
Even if you aren’t sure about an answer, it’s advised to answer every question with an educated guess so that you have a better chance of reaching the passing score. Your strategy may be to answer all the questions you know first or to focus on the domains that have more percentage weight.
Key Aspects of the Exam
Scheduling Your Exam
Key aspects of the EPPP exam scheduling process include obtaining authorization from your licensing board, adhering to strict deadlines and fee policies for scheduling/rescheduling, and taking the computer-based exam at a designated testing center.
Appointment Length
The EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) appointment for Part 1 (Knowledge) is 4 hours and 15 minutes (4.25 hours) for the English version, with 225 multiple-choice questions (175 scored, 50 unscored pilot items). While there’s no mandatory break, the clock keeps running, and you’ll also have a 15-minute optional tutorial before the timed test begins, making the total appointment time around 4.5 hours including check-in and procedures.
Rescheduling or Canceling Your Exam
You can reschedule or cancel the EPPP exam through your Pearson VUE account, but fees and refund policies vary significantly based on timing: rescheduling 30+ days out is often free, while canceling or rescheduling within 24 hours of the exam usually results in forfeiting all fees (around $687.50) and requiring a full re-payment. Always check your specific jurisdiction’s rules and ASPPB guidelines for exact deadlines and fees, which are often detailed in your Candidate Handbook.
EPPP Exam Eligibility
To be eligible for the EPPP exam, you must first apply for licensure as a psychologist with a specific state or provincial licensing board; that board then reviews your doctoral degree (usually from an APA/CPA-accredited program) and supervised experience, authorizes you to take the exam, and sends you an invitation to register. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, but generally include a doctoral degree in psychology and significant supervised experience, with EPPP Part 1 (Knowledge) needed before scheduling EPPP Part 2 (Skills).
Requirements for Foreigners Taking the EPPP Exam
The standards for being trained and registered as a psychologist in a foreign country and being licensed/registered as a psychologist in the United States are often very different. For example, in most United States jurisdictions, a doctorate in clinical, counseling or school psychology is the entry level degree required for licensure and licensure is determined by each state. In order to become licensed as a psychologist, an applicant would apply to a jurisdiction in which he or she intends to practice.
Since each jurisdiction has the ultimate authority to decide what is required in their jurisdiction, it is best to first contact the jurisdiction directly to determine what the exact requirements are for licensure. Contact information for each jurisdiction can be found HERE.
A foreign trained applicant must demonstrate that their education, degree and experience is the equivalent to the requirements established in that jurisdiction. A master’s degree and/or doctorate from another country might be the equivalent to a doctoral degree in the United States. Since most licensing boards do not have the resources to compare education and degrees from a foreign country to their own requirements, most rely on a NACES program to do that for them. NACES stand for the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. NACES is an association of US-based, independent, nongovernmental organizations that provide credential evaluation services for individuals who have completed education outside the United States. A NACES evaluation would be able to “translate” education and degree into a United States format or a Canadian format that jurisdictions could then evaluate. More information on NACES can be found HERE.
If a foreign trained applicant’s education and degree meet the regulations of the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure, then they must also demonstrate that their supervised experience is the equivalent to what is required by that jurisdiction. Assuming an applicant’s education, degree and experience is the equivalent and meets the requirements then an applicant would be eligible to sit for the Examination of Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP). The EPPP is developed and owned by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and is provided to state and provincial boards of psychology to assist them in their evaluation of the qualifications of applicants for licensure and certification. This standardized knowledge-based examination covers eight content areas: biological bases of behavior; cognitive-affective bases of behavior; social and cultural bases of behavior; growth and lifespan development; assessment and diagnosis; treatment, intervention, prevention and supervision; research methods and statistics; and ethical, legal, and professional issues. An applicant can only take the EPPP if they are a candidate for licensure in one of the jurisdictions in the United States or Canada. The applicant would not be eligible to sign up to take the EPPP until that jurisdiction approves their application and authorizes them to take the EPPP. More information on the EPPP can be found HERE.
In addition to passing the EPPP, most U.S. jurisdictions require the applicant to pass an examination that covers local mental health laws and rules.
Additional requirements for internationally educated candidates may include:
English Language Proficiency: A passing score on an approved English-language proficiency exam may be required, unless you graduated from a program in specific English-speaking countries.
State Licensure: Passing the EPPP exam is a national requirement, but practicing in a U.S. state also requires meeting that state’s individual licensure requirements, which are managed by the exam board.
For detailed information and application forms, consult the “For Internationally Educated” section on the official EPPP website
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