What You Need to Know About the Upcoming EPPP Beta Test
What Is the EPPP Beta Test, Who Can Take It, What Is the Cost, and How to Register
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology®(EPPP) is undergoing its biggest revision since its development in 1963. For more than 60 years, the EPPP has been used by psychology licensing boards and colleges in the United States and Canada as part of the licensure process. The exam is now being updated to better reflect the knowledge and skills psychologists need in practice today. In 2027, during March and April, eligible candidates can take a Beta Test version of the new integrated EPPP, which combines the assessment of knowledge and professional skills into a single examination.
Why is the EPPP changing?
In 2024, the ASPPB Board of Directors decided to further develop the exam into a single integrated competency assessment that will assess candidates’ knowledge and skills in one examination. Psychologists need both strong knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world situations. ASPPB has been working to create a more modern examination that measures both areas together.
The integrated EPPP was developed using input from psychologists across Canada and the United States, following nationally recognized standards for professional testing and credentialing as put forth in Chapter 11 of the “Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing” published by the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and the National Council of Measurement in Education.
How was the integrated EPPP developed?
The integrated EPPP was created through a multi-year process involving psychologists, educators, regulators, and testing experts.
Key steps included:
- A national task force of psychologists reviewed the current EPPP and identified the knowledge and skills required for entry-level independent practice.
- Nearly 3,000 psychologists participated in a Job Task Analysis (JTA) survey to evaluate the importance of those competencies.
- Based on survey results, a new examination blueprint was created.
- More than 12,000 existing exam questions were reviewed and aligned with the new blueprint.
- Subject matter experts (SMEs) developed additional questions where needed.
- Examination committees reviewed and approved questions for inclusion in the Beta Test examinations.
What will be covered in the integrated EPPP?
The integrated EPPP will assess six major areas of professional psychology:
- Scientific Orientation to Practice (15%)
- Assessment (20%)
- Intervention (20%)
- Supervision and Consultation (10%)
- Interpersonal Relationships (15%)
- Ethical and Professional Practice (20%)
Each domain includes three to five knowledge and skill subdomains, and each subdomain includes two to five Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (KSAs). The full list is available here.
What does the integrated EPPP look like?
The integrated EPPP will include:
- 175 scored questions
- 40 unscored pretest questions
- A testing time of up to 5 hours
- An optional 30-minute break
- Testing at Pearson VUE testing centers.
Question formats may include:
- Traditional multiple-choice questions (with single-select and multi-select answer options)
- Scenario-based scenarios
- Questions based on interviews, assessments, or other professional materials
- Multimedia scenarios that include audio or video components.
Questions will be presented in random order.
What is the EPPP Beta Test?
The EPPP Beta Test is the first administration of the integrated EPPP. The purpose of the EPPP Beta Test is to collect information needed to establish passing scores and finalize the examination for long-term use.
The EPPP Beta exam forms were created primarily using items from previous EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) and EPPP (Part 2-Skills) exams, and also include new items created by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) specifically for the integrated exam.
Because the passing standard must be determined first, candidates who take the EPPP Beta Test will not receive their scores immediately after testing. Scores are expected to be released in late June after the standard-setting process is completed.
After the EPPP Beta Test administration, the exam forms will become operational versions of the integrated EPPP.
Who can take the EPPP Beta Test?
The EPPP Beta Test will be open to first-time EPPP candidates who meet eligibility requirements set by their licensing board or college. Candidates approved to take the EPPP by their board or college can choose to take either the current EPPP or the EPPP Beta Test during the Beta Testing period from March 1 through April 30, 2027, and will follow the same registration process. Please contact your board or college for more information about their participation in the EPPP Beta Test opportunity.
When and how can candidates register for the EPPP Beta Test?
First-time EPPP candidates can register for the EPPP Beta Test in Fall 2026 through April 2027. Registration will be available to candidates in licensing boards or colleges that are participating in the EPPP Beta Test administration opportunity. The approving licensing board or college will provide access to the exam via eligible candidates’ Clarus account (EPPP Registration Portal).
Are there any preparation resources for the EPPP Beta Test?
EPPP Beta Test candidates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the materials designed for the integrated EPPP. These include the EPPP Content Specifications and other information posted on the ASPPB website, the integrated EPPP Candidate Handbook, and the integrated EPPP Sample Exams, which will be available in Fall 2026. The Sample Exams are only available through candidates’ Clarus accounts provided by their licensing board or college.
When will EPPP Beta Test scores be available?
EPPP Beta Test scores are expected to be available in late June 2027.
ASPPB has recommended that participating licensing boards and colleges:
- Accept passing EPPP Beta Test scores as fulfillment of the EPPP requirement.
- Not count unsuccessful EPPP Beta Test attempts toward the candidates’ attempt history or any existing limits on the number of times a candidate can take the EPPP.
Individual licensing boards and colleges will make final decisions regarding score acceptance and testing policies.
What are the benefits of participating in the EPPP Beta Test?
Licensing boards or colleges that choose to participate in the EPPP Beta Test opportunity will provide their licensure applicants with access to the EPPP Beta Test. If a candidate’s licensing board or college has chosen to participate in the EPPP Beta Test opportunity with ASPPB’s recommendations, these are a few of the benefits of taking the EPPP Beta Test:
Reduced EPPP Beta Test Cost
- EPPP Beta Test examination fee: $100 USD
- Current Pearson VUE sitting fee: $91.88 USD
Opportunity to Meet EPPP Requirements
- Candidates who pass the EPPP Beta Test may satisfy their EPPP requirement, subject to their licensing board or college’s policies.
Protection for Candidates
- Candidates who do not pass the EPPP Beta Test are not expected to have that result counted as a failed attempt on the EPPP in participating jurisdictions.
Discounted Retake Opportunity
- Candidates who take the EPPP Beta Test and do not pass will be eligible for one discounted administration of the current EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) for $100 USD plus the current Pearson VUE sitting fee.
What else do you need to know about the integrated EPPP?
The integrated EPPP represents the next step in the evolution of psychology licensure testing. By assessing both professional knowledge and applied skills within a single examination, the integrated EPPP is designed to better reflect the competencies needed for independent practice and to support public protection across the United States and Canada.
The integrated EPPP will become available in the fall of 2027. The current EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) and EPPP (Part 2-Skills) will remain available to all approved candidates until the integrated EPPP is released. At that time, candidates who fail the EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) or EPPP (Part 2-Skills) by the release date of the integrated EPPP may retake the respective exam until March 31, 2028. The EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) and the EPPP (Part 2-Skills) will no longer be available after March 31, 2028. As of April 1, 2028, only the new version of the EPPP will be available, and it will cost $650.
Virtual Town Hall meetings will be offered throughout 2026 and 2027 to provide information about the integrated EPPP and the EPPP Beta Testing opportunity. Details on upcoming sessions will be posted on the ASPPB website.
