Hawaii Becomes Ninth U.S. Jurisdiction to Adopt ASPPB’s Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)®
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)® welcomes Hawaii which becomes the ninth jurisdiction to join Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Vermont as well as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the Indian Health Service, using the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)® as part of the requirements that doctoral-level psychologists must meet to qualify for prescription privileges. The provisions of HI SB847 go into effect on July 15th, 2026.
“This is a momentous achievement for Hawaii, as this initiative allows specialized, doctoral-level psychologists, who apply and pass the PEP, to offer combined talk therapy and medication management,” said Dr. Mariann Burnetti-Atwell, ASPPB Chief Executive Officer.
The PEP measures the foundational knowledge needed to administer medications safely and effectively in psychological practice. Earlier this month, Vermont paved the way for the use of the PEP.
Background on HI SB847
On May 8th, Hawaii Governor Josh Green enrolled HI SB847 as passed by the House on the same day (Hse. Com. No. 888) and by the Senate (Sen. Com. No. 816) on May 6, 2026. The act authorizes qualified doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe certain mental health medications. The legislation aims to increase access to mental health care services in the state.
Governor Green’s Senior Advisor on Healthcare, Dr. Jack Lewin, supported the bill because it requires significant additional training and supervision by a psychiatrist. “That supervision creates what I think is a healthy thing, led by the psychiatrist to manage the psychologist who wants to do this,” said Dr. Lewin.
Key Aspects of HI SB847:
- Pilot Program: Limits prescribing authority to psychologists treating patients between the ages of 18 and 65.
- Location Requirements: The pilot program is restricted to qualified psychologists operating at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
- Supervision: Participating psychologists must maintain active supervision by a licensed supervising physician or psychiatrist.
- Purpose of the HI SB847: To combat a severe shortage of mental health prescribers in rural neighboring island communities.
PEP Basics
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)® administers the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)® on behalf of jurisdictional boards that offer licensure of psychologists for prescription privileges. The PEP was originally developed by the American Psychological Association (APA), Practice Organization, College of Professional Psychology. In 2017, ownership and management of the exam were transferred to ASPPB. The PEP measures the foundational knowledge psychologists need to administer medications safely and effectively in their practice. In keeping with testing-industry standards, ASPPB develops and maintains the PEP to keep pace with advances in the use of psychotropic medications.
In April of 2026, ASPPB announced the availability of a PEP Sample Exam as well as its eligibility requirements.