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EPPP Exam Requirements

To take the EPPP in the U.S., you need approval from the psychology licensing board for the license you're applying for. That board decides which degree and supervised experience must be finished before you test.

EPPP requirements at a glance

  • Who approves you: the licensing board in the state or territory where you want the license (ASPPB Candidate Handbook, p. 6 (PDF)). You can't register with ASPPB or Pearson VUE without that approval.
  • Education and experience: set by your board and your license type. Most psychologist routes start with a doctorate. Some boards test you right after the doctorate and internship. Some license types accept a qualifying master's degree. The examples below show how much this varies.
  • Which exam: EPPP Part 1–Knowledge is required in all 66 ASPPB jurisdictions. Part 2–Skills applies only where your board requires it, and only after you pass Part 1 (ASPPB).
  • Cost for Part 1: $600 exam fee + $91.88 test center sitting fee = $691.88. Board application fees are extra (handbook pp. 8, 20 (PDF)).
  • Change ahead: a single integrated EPPP replaces both parts for first-time takers, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027 (ASPPB transition FAQ (PDF)).

Being approved to sit for the exam is a separate step from getting your license.

Find your licensing board (ASPPB's official directory)

By the Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team. Last verified November 5, 2026, against ASPPB's September 2026 Candidate Handbook, ASPPB's October 2026 transition FAQs, and the Ohio, Texas, and Virginia board and regulatory sources cited below.

Which degree and experience do you need before testing?

There's no single national checklist. EPPP stands for Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. ASPPB, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, owns the exam. Each board decides when its applicants are ready to take it.

Your board sets two separate lists:

  • what must be done before it approves you to test
  • what can still be finished before it issues the license

Mixing those two lists up can make candidates think they have to wait longer than they do.

Here's how four real pathways handle it:

Four example EPPP pathways: what comes before the exam and what comes later
Pathway Before you can take the EPPP Other licensing requirements or timing rules Source
Ohio – psychologist The board must find that your qualifying doctorate and required internship are complete. The board must accept your full 3,600-hour training sequence before you're admitted to the later oral exam. Ohio Adm. Code 4732-9-03 (C), (E), effective Jan. 1, 2025
Texas – licensed psychologist (doctoral internship route) A conferred psychology doctorate with a formal internship that meets the board's rule. Eligible first-time applicants receive a 2-year provisional license while they complete the EPPP or remaining qualifying supervised experience. The supervised-experience requirement must be met; eligible doctoral-program hours can count toward the 1,750-hour postdoctoral requirement. Pass the Texas jurisprudence exam within the six months before applying. Texas BHEC: How to Become a Licensed Psychologist; rules §§463.10–11, 882.5 (PDF)
Texas – licensed psychological associate Normally, a graduate psychology degree of at least 60 semester credit hours with required coursework and six semester credit hours of qualifying supervised practicum, internship, or other structured experience within the graduate degree program. See the earlier-program exception below. This is a master's-level route. Pass the EPPP; pass the jurisprudence exam within the six months before applying. Independent practice requires 3,000 qualifying postgraduate supervised hours and a separate board application. Texas BHEC: How to Become a Licensed Psychological Associate; rules §§463.8, 882.5 (PDF)
Virginia – clinical vs. applied psychologist Clinical: education plus practicum/supervision experience, an application, and board approval. Applied: education requirements, an application, and board approval. A passing score on the final required national-exam step must fall within the two years immediately preceding licensure. Candidates may request an extension for extenuating circumstances. Virginia Board of Psychology: Examination Information; 18VAC125-20-80(A)

Texas psychological associate exception: If you began an otherwise qualifying psychology graduate program before August 31, 2019, the rule allows a 42-semester-credit route (§463.8(f), p. 91 (PDF)).

These are examples of how boards differ, not full application checklists for those states. Your own board's rules for your license type are the ones that count.

Do you need a PhD or PsyD first?

For the Ohio and Texas psychologist routes above, the qualifying doctorate must be conferred, not just in progress. But it isn't true everywhere that only doctoral graduates take the EPPP. The Texas psychological associate route above uses a qualifying master's degree. Virginia also requires Part 1 for its Licensed Psychological Practitioner license.

Do you have to finish your postdoc first?

Not in every state. Texas lets approved applicants take the EPPP during provisional status, before their postdoctoral hours are complete. Ohio admits candidates after the doctorate and internship. ASPPB itself says Part 1 becomes available once you've finished your academic degree and registered as a candidate with a board. ASPPB also recommends taking it while your coursework is still fresh (ASPPB: Which Exam Should I Take?).

What you won't find is a rule that one state's timing applies to you. Online rumors about earlier testing don't change your board's rule.

Your EPPP approval worksheet

Use this worksheet to record what your board requires and what you still need. Only the licensing board can approve you to test. Print or copy this worksheet, then fill in the last three columns from your board's own rules and forms.

EPPP approval worksheet: eight checkpoints with blank columns to fill in
ID Checkpoint What to confirm Board rule or source My status / evidence Next action
EPPP-REQ-01 Jurisdiction and license title The state or territory and the exact license (psychologist, psychological associate, or another title), plus the board's application page.
EPPP-REQ-02 Education for this route Required degree or milestone, program criteria, and who must send transcripts or verification. If you trained outside the U.S., the equivalence review the board accepts.
EPPP-REQ-03 Experience required before testing Internship or supervised hours needed before exam approval, kept separate from hours still needed before the license.
EPPP-REQ-04 Which exam, or an existing score Part 1 only, or Part 1 and Part 2. Whether a previous EPPP score can be used. Whether your test date falls in the 2027–2028 changeover.
EPPP-REQ-05 Application and approval Application submitted, records received, board decision issued, registration invitation received.
EPPP-REQ-06 Accommodations (if needed) The board's documentation requirements and approval before registration, plus final review and setup before you schedule.
EPPP-REQ-07 Fees and testing window Exam and sitting fees, separate board fees, and the exact approved window dates shown in your registration account.
EPPP-REQ-08 Appointment and ID Appointment confirmation, the name you registered under, and two IDs whose first and last names match it.

If your board's instructions are unclear, ask exactly this: "For [license title], what education and supervised experience must be complete before you approve me for the EPPP, and what can still be finished before you issue the license?"

From board approval to test day

ASPPB's September 2026 handbook describes this sequence (pp. 6–8 (PDF)):

  1. Apply to your licensing board and send every record it asks for. The application fee is the board's, separate from exam fees.
  2. Get approved. The board enters you into ASPPB's registration portal, Clarus, and you receive an email to set your password.
  3. Get your board's accommodation approval before registering, if you need accommodations. Send the required documentation to your board.
  4. Complete registration in Clarus. Confirm your details and accept the handbook and exam rules. Your first and last name must exactly match the two IDs you'll bring. If you requested accommodations, check the "Exam Accommodations" box during registration. You can't schedule until the process is finished.
  5. Pay when you're ready to test. Paying starts a 12-month testing window, unless your licensing board sets an earlier end date.
  6. Schedule with Pearson VUE and keep your confirmation email.

Clarus replaced the older Certemy portal on September 29, 2026 (ASPPB announcement). Pearson VUE is still the testing company.

Who decides what

Who decides each EPPP question
Question Who answers it
Am I eligible? When can I sit? Your licensing board
Do I need Part 2? Your licensing board
What passing score applies? Your licensing board (all accept ASPPB's 500 for independent practice on Part 1)
Retake waits, attempt limits, deadlines to pass Your licensing board, within ASPPB's 4-in-12-months cap
Accommodations Your board approves first, then ASPPB gives final review
Exam content and fees ASPPB
Seats, check-in, ID checks, rescheduling Pearson VUE

Do you need EPPP Part 2–Skills?

Only if your board requires it. ASPPB's September 2026 handbook still says only jurisdictions that adopted Part 2 require it (p. 5 (PDF)). The earlier plan to make Part 2 universal on January 1, 2026, did not take effect (ASPPB's November 2024 update (PDF), p. 1).

If your board does require it:

  • You must pass Part 1 first.
  • Part 2 needs its own board approval. Passing Part 1 doesn't unlock it automatically.
  • ASPPB recommends taking it after you finish your board's required supervised experience.
  • There's no French version of Part 2.

Ask your board before you pay the $450 Part 2 fee.

What the EPPP costs

From ASPPB's current fee schedule (handbook pp. 8, 20 (PDF); ASPPB Registration and Fees). All amounts are USD:

Current EPPP fees per attempt, in USD
Exam Exam fee Sitting fee Total for one attempt
EPPP Part 1–Knowledge $600.00 $91.88 $691.88
EPPP Part 2–Skills (only if required) $450.00 $91.88 $541.88
Both parts, one attempt each $1,233.76

Each part's total is its exam fee plus one sitting fee. The combined total includes two sitting fees. These totals don't include your board's application or license fees, retakes, or rescheduling charges.

All ASPPB exam and sitting fees are paid in Clarus and are non-refundable. Paying doesn't make you eligible; only board approval does.

Rules that trip people up

Your testing window. Each Authorization to Test covers one appointment. You must test within 12 months of paying, unless your board's window ends sooner. Your window dates show on your Clarus dashboard (handbook p. 7 (PDF)). Some boards also limit how long an examination result remains acceptable for licensure. Virginia requires passing the final required national-exam step within the two years immediately preceding licensure; candidates may request an extension for extenuating circumstances (18VAC125-20-80(A)).

Rescheduling. Late changes can cost $87.50 plus applicable tax. Inside 24 hours, or if you don't show up, you lose all exam and sitting fees (handbook p. 10 (PDF)). Before changing an appointment, check the policy in your confirmation and Pearson VUE's rescheduling instructions.

ID. Arrive 30 minutes early. Bring an original, current government-issued ID showing your name, a recent photo, and your signature, plus an original, current second ID showing your name and either a signature or a recent photo. First and last names on both must match your registration (handbook p. 11 (PDF)). If your situation is unusual, such as a foreign-issued ID or a name change, check Pearson VUE's ID policy (PDF), including its exceptions, before test day. Wrong ID means no exam and no refund.

Accommodations. After ASPPB receives your board's approval, its review and Pearson VUE's setup can take up to 10–15 business days. Accommodations can't be added after an appointment is booked (handbook pp. 6–7 (PDF)).

Where you test. You can test at any Pearson VUE center in ASPPB's network, whichever board approved you. U.S. candidates must test in the U.S. or its territories, and Canadian candidates in Canada.

Retakes. ASPPB allows no more than four attempts at each part in any rolling 12 months (ASPPB Retake Process). Each retake needs new board authorization. Your board can add waiting periods or attempt limits. ASPPB suggests about 90 days between attempts as preparation time, not as a rule.

What score do you need?

EPPP scores run from 200 to 800. For Part 1, ASPPB recommends 500 for independent practice and 450 for supervised practice. All licensing boards accept 500 for independent practice on Part 1. Supervised-practice cutoffs vary by board. Part 2 also uses a 500 recommendation (handbook pp. 14–15 (PDF)).

A scaled score isn't a fixed percentage of questions right. The number of correct answers needed shifts between test forms so that every form represents the same standard.

You get an unofficial score at the test center. It then goes into Clarus, where you and your board can see it. Passing is one licensing step. You may still owe supervised hours, a jurisprudence exam, or an oral exam, depending on your board.

What changes in 2027 and 2028

These are announced changes. They don't change the rules for an appointment in 2026. ASPPB is replacing Part 1 and Part 2 with one integrated EPPP that tests knowledge and skills together (ASPPB Current EPPP Exams FAQ, Oct. 2026 (PDF)).

Which EPPP is available during the 2027–2028 transition
Your situation What's available
Approved and testing before the integrated EPPP launches Part 1, plus Part 2 if your board requires it, on the current content outlines
First-time test taker after launch (scheduled for Q4 2027) The integrated EPPP. Part 1 and Part 2 close to first-time takers.
Failed Part 1 or Part 2 before launch You may retake that part through March 31, 2028
April 1, 2028 onward Part 1 and Part 2 are retired; the integrated EPPP is the only option

Fees for the integrated exam (Integrated EPPP FAQ, Oct. 2026 (PDF)) are $600 from launch through March 31, 2028, then $650 from April 1, 2028. Both are plus the Pearson VUE sitting fee, currently $91.88. Beginning April 1, 2030, ASPPB says it will review the fee every two years and adjust it as appropriate using the Consumer Price Index.

What ASPPB has confirmed about the format: the integrated exam is computer-based at Pearson VUE and taken in one day. It covers six content domains. Question types include 3- or 4-option multiple choice, extended multiple choice, scenario question sets, and audio and video items. Pass/fail is based on a total score (ASPPB, Feb. 2026). The integrated EPPP will contain 215 questions: 175 scored questions and 40 unscored pretest questions. Candidates will have five hours of testing time, plus an optional 30-minute break (ASPPB joint beta/integrated FAQ, Oct. 2026 (PDF), pp. 1, 3, 6).

Beta test, March–April 2027. ASPPB is running a one-time beta of the integrated exam for $100 plus the $91.88 sitting fee ($191.88) (Beta Test FAQ, Oct. 2026 (PDF)). The conditions:

  • You must be a first-time EPPP taker.
  • Your board must have opted in and must approve you. Master's-level candidates can qualify if their board approves them.
  • A passing beta result counts as passing Part 1.
  • A failing beta result is not counted as a failed Part 1 attempt. You can then take Part 1 for a discounted $100 plus the sitting fee.
  • Scores are expected in late June 2027, after the passing standard is set.

Who will be approved for the integrated exam. ASPPB recommends that boards approve candidates who have finished the coursework of a doctoral program the board accepts. It also recommends they have completed all or most of their required supervised experience (ASPPB, May 2026). That's a recommendation; your board still sets the rule.

What this means for planning: if you'll test before the integrated EPPP launches, Part 1 is a known exam with a published blueprint. If your intended test date lands close to the Q4 2027 cutover, ask your board which exam it will authorize before you build a study schedule around one of them.

Already have a score, or trained outside the U.S.?

You already passed the EPPP. ASPPB keeps your score. A board other than the one you first tested through needs an official transfer from ASPPB. The printout from the test center doesn't count (ASPPB Score Transfer). Ask the new board whether your score meets its requirement for the license you want; a transfer doesn't guarantee that it will.

Your degree is from outside the U.S. Ask the board which education and experience equivalence review it accepts before you order a credential evaluation. Requirements differ, and one evaluator doesn't work for every board (ASPPB: Internationally Trained Applicants).

Out-of-date information to ignore

A lot of EPPP information online predates fall 2026:

  • "Register through Certemy." Registration moved to Clarus on September 29, 2026. Some board pages and older ASPPB pages still mention Certemy.
  • "The sitting fee is $87.50." The current sitting fee is $91.88. $87.50 is now the late-rescheduling fee.
  • "Part 2 is required everywhere from 2026." It isn't. Only adopting jurisdictions require it.

Official sources

All checked November 5, 2026.

We checked each fee, date, and rule above against these sources on the date shown. This page explains the rules; it doesn't decide anyone's eligibility, and the worksheet is not an official form. Read how we create and check our content, including how we use AI tools.

Castleport Test Prep is an independent exam prep publisher. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), Pearson VUE, or any licensing board. Exam and credential names are used for identification; trademarks belong to their respective owners.