The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP): Legacy and Future
First introduced in 1965 by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)®, the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)® was one of the Association’s earliest and most significant initiatives. It was created to support mobility, making it easier for psychologists to practice across jurisdictions without starting the licensure process over. That goal laid the groundwork for greater consistency in how psychology is regulated across the U.S. and Canada.
Now in its 60th year, the EPPP continues to serve as the standard licensure exam in professional psychology. In 2024, more than 8,000 candidates took the exam across ASPPB’s 66 member jurisdictions. Its broad adoption, reliability, and strong psychometric foundation have made it the gold standard in high-stakes professional testing for psychology.
What Comes Next
ASPPB’s mission is clear: to support our members in protecting the public. Our bylaws direct us to promote consistency in regulation and build systems that serve both the public and the profession.
In response to feedback from members, educators, and other stakeholders, the ASPPB Board of Directors voted to pause implementation of the October 2022 decision that would have required both EPPP (Part 1–Knowledge) and EPPP (Part 2–Skills) for licensure starting January 1, 2026. The Skills portion remains available for jurisdictions that choose to use it as a supplemental assessment.
At the same time, we have begun developing a new, single-session version of the EPPP that integrates both knowledge and applied skills assessment to assess baseline competency at the time of licensure. Development began with a series of virtual town halls aimed at gathering input from the full range of stakeholders. The first session, in April, focused on member boards. The second, in June, engaged the education and training community. Two more sessions—one for students and one for licensed psychologists—are planned for later this year.
Staying Focused on the Mission
We remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and listening carefully to those we serve. Our aim is to ensure that the EPPP continues to evolve in a way that reflects the needs of the profession while staying true to its purpose: helping jurisdictions make informed, fair, and consistent licensure decisions in service of public protection.