Castleport Test Prep

EPPP Part 1 vs Part 2: Differences, Costs & Requirements

EPPP Part 1 (Knowledge) tests psychological knowledge; Part 2 (Skills) tests how you apply it. Part 2 (Skills) applies only where your board requires it, you can take it only after passing Part 1, and both parts are scheduled to be replaced by a single integrated EPPP starting in the fourth quarter of 2027.

EPPP Part 1 vs Part 2 at a glance
Comparison point EPPP Part 1 – Knowledge EPPP Part 2 – Skills
What it tests General knowledge of psychology, assessment, intervention, theory, and research Applying that knowledge to decisions in typical real-world, independent practice
Who must take it Applicants whose licensing pathway requires the knowledge exam; board-specific exemptions can apply Only candidates whose licensing pathway requires it
Order First; your board must approve you Only after you pass Part 1, with a separate board approval
Questions 225 (175 scored + 50 unscored pretest) 170 (130 scored + 40 unscored pretest)
Time for the questions 4 hr 15 min (about 68 seconds per question) 4 hr 10 min (about 88 seconds per question)
Question formats Single best answer with 3 or 4 options Single- and multiple-response multiple choice; scenario sets with video/audio, interview descriptions, or test protocols (up to 5 questions each); point-and-click; drag-and-drop
Content 8 knowledge areas 6 competency domains
ASPPB's recommended passing score for independent practice 500 on a 200–800 scale 500 on a 200–800 scale
Exam fee + test center fee $600 + $91.88 = $691.88 $450 + $91.88 = $541.88
Language English; French available where a Canadian licensing authority is legally required to offer it English only
After the integrated EPPP launches Closed to first-time test takers; candidates who failed this part before launch may retake it through March 31, 2028, subject to board approval and attempt limits Same conditions for Part 2

The times above cover the exam questions only. The acknowledgment screen, tutorial (5 minutes for Part 1, 9 for Part 2), and closing survey are extra, and approved accommodations can change your timing. Your board, not the exam owner, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), sets the passing standard it applies. All fees on this page are in US dollars. Sources: ASPPB EPPP overview; EPPP Candidate Handbook, September 2026, pp. 5, 8, 11–15, 34 (PDF); Current EPPP Exams FAQ, October 2026, p. 1 (PDF).

What both parts cost: one attempt at each is $1,233.76 in ASPPB exam and test center fees ($600 + $450 + 2 × $91.88). That leaves out your board's application fees, retakes, rescheduling charges ($87.50 plus applicable tax when less than 31 days but more than 24 hours remain; changes within 24 hours forfeit the exam and test center fees), and prep. All exam and test center fees are nonrefundable, and once you pay you have up to 12 months to test, or less if your board's testing window closes sooner. (Handbook pp. 8, 10, 20 (PDF); ASPPB fee table)

By the Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team. Last verified November 5, 2026: exam format, fees, content specifications, the announced integrated-EPPP transition, and the California, Georgia, Nevada, and Virginia board examples on this page.

Do you need Part 2?

Your board and licensing pathway decide. Part 1 and Part 2 aren't alternatives: Part 1 comes first when both are required, and Part 2 is an additional requirement for some pathways.

If you've read that Part 2 became mandatory everywhere on January 1, 2026, that plan never took effect. ASPPB decided in October 2022 to require both parts nationwide from that date, then its Board paused the mandate. Part 2 is still available, and boards that adopted it can keep requiring it (ASPPB, "EPPP Legacy and Future").

Four board examples show how much the answer varies. They're illustrations, not a complete list, and they don't decide another board's rules.

Board examples: how four boards treat Part 2
Board What its own source says Source
California Psychologist applicants take and pass the knowledge-based EPPP. After ASPPB paused the two-part mandate, the board stopped implementing Part 2. CA Board of Psychology
Georgia (licensure by examination) Requires the two-part EPPP. Part 1 can be taken once coursework is complete; Part 2 after all doctoral requirements, including internship. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 510-2-.01(1)(g)
Nevada Lists Part 1 as required for licensure and accepts a previous passing EPPP score. Requires Part 2 only from applicants who did not graduate from an American Psychological Association (APA)–accredited doctoral program and are either not currently licensed in another US jurisdiction or have been licensed for less than five years. NV Board FAQ
Virginia (initial clinical, applied, and school psychologist licensure) Requires Part 1. Virginia had published ASPPB's planned 2026 two-part requirement; its current exam page lists Part 1 for these licenses. VA examination requirements; historical announcement

Notice Nevada. Its Part 2 requirement depends on the applicant's education and licensure history. That's why the reliable answer comes from your own board's current rule.

Confirm your exam route in five checks

Copy these into your notes and fill them in from your board's own website or instructions.

  1. Board and pathway. Write down your jurisdiction, the board's name, and your route: initial licensure by exam, endorsement, or another named pathway. Rules can differ by route. Find your board in ASPPB's licensing board directory.
  2. Required exams. Find the board's rule or instruction that answers: Does my pathway require Part 1 only, both parts, or the integrated EPPP? Note the URL and the date you checked.
  3. Authorization. Confirm which exam your approval covers and your testing window (it appears on your Clarus dashboard). Need accommodations? They must be approved before you schedule and can't be added afterward (Handbook p. 7 (PDF)).
  4. Timing and attempt history. Write your planned test date and whether each part is passed, failed, or not yet attempted. Compare that against the 2027–2028 dates below.
  5. Blueprint and budget. Match your study plan to the blueprint for the exam you'll actually sit, and budget from the current fee table. If one question is still open, write it as a single sentence and send it to your board.

See the difference: 4 practice pairs (8 questions)

Original, unofficial questions written by Castleport Test Prep. They are not ASPPB items, they don't reproduce the full range of Part 2 formats (video, point-and-click, drag-and-drop), and your results here aren't a score or a prediction. ASPPB's free format descriptions in Handbook Appendix D (PDF) explain the different Part 2 item types.

Each pair covers one topic twice. The Part 1-style question asks what you know. The Part 2-style question asks what you'd do. These pairs illustrate a difference in emphasis; Part 1 can also ask you to apply knowledge.

Pair 1: Screening accuracy

Question 1 · Part 1-style (knowledge) · Assessment and Diagnosis

A depression screening questionnaire correctly flags 90% of people who actually have major depressive disorder. That 90% figure describes the questionnaire's:

  • A. Sensitivity
  • B. Specificity
  • C. Positive predictive value
  • D. Negative predictive value
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A, sensitivity. Sensitivity is the share of people who have the condition who test positive, which is exactly what the question describes. Specificity is the share of people without the condition who test negative. Positive predictive value runs the other way: of everyone who tests positive, how many truly have the condition. Negative predictive value is the same idea for negative results. The tell is the starting group: "people who actually have the disorder" means sensitivity. (FDA diagnostic-test guidance, Sections 3 and 8)

Question 2 · Part 2-style (skills) · Assessment and Intervention

A psychologist in a college wellness program screens every incoming student with that questionnaire. Depression is uncommon in this group. A 19-year-old student scores above the cutoff and asks, "So I have depression?" What is the best response?

  • A. "Yes. The questionnaire is very sensitive, so a positive result confirms it."
  • B. Explain that a positive screen means a fuller evaluation is needed, and schedule a diagnostic interview before drawing conclusions.
  • C. Readminister the same questionnaire right away; two positive results confirm the diagnosis.
  • D. Tell the student it's probably a false positive and no follow-up is needed.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. With sensitivity and specificity held constant, a lower prevalence reduces positive predictive value: a larger share of positive results are false positives. So a positive screen is a reason to evaluate, not a diagnosis. A confuses sensitivity with predictive value. C repeats the same tool minutes later without establishing a diagnosis. D overcorrects: some positives are real, and skipping follow-up could leave a depressed student unassessed. (USPSTF adult depression screening: Pathway to Benefit; CDC screening mathematics, pp. 5 and 12 (PDF); ASPPB Handbook Appendix C, exemplar 2.4.2 (coverage) (PDF))

What changed: Question 1 needs the definition. Question 2 needs the definition, plus base rates, plus a decision about what to say and do next.

Question 3 · Part 1-style (knowledge) · Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues

Under the APA Ethics Code, when should a psychologist ordinarily discuss the limits of confidentiality with a new therapy client?

  • A. Only if the client asks
  • B. At the outset of the relationship, and again as new circumstances warrant
  • C. After the first session, once rapport is established
  • D. Only when a disclosure becomes necessary
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Standard 4.02(b) puts the confidentiality discussion at the start of the relationship, unless that isn't feasible or is contraindicated, and again when new circumstances call for it. A and D leave the client to discover limits they may not know exist. C delays information the client needs before deciding what to share. (APA Ethics Code, 4.02(b))

Question 4 · Part 2-style (skills) · Collaboration, Consultation, and Supervision · Select TWO

A doctoral intern will be the therapist for a new outpatient client. Legal responsibility for the treatment rests with the intern's licensed supervisor. Under the APA Ethics Code, which two things must the client be told as part of informed consent?

  • A. The therapist is in training and is being supervised
  • B. The supervisor's name
  • C. The intern's grades in doctoral coursework
  • D. The supervisor's preferred theoretical orientation
  • E. That the client may not contact the supervisor directly
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A and B. For this practice item, select both and no other options. Standard 10.01(c) says that when the therapist is a trainee and the supervisor holds legal responsibility, the client is told the therapist is in training and supervised, and is given the supervisor's name. C and D aren't required disclosures under this standard. E adds a contact restriction that the standard does not require. (APA Ethics Code, 10.01(c); ASPPB Handbook Appendix C, exemplar 6.5.2 (coverage) (PDF))

What changed: Question 3 asks you to recall a rule. Question 4 asks you to apply one to a specified clinical role and identify both required disclosures. Read the directions on every item.

Pair 3: Statistical vs clinical significance

Question 5 · Part 1-style (knowledge) · Research Methods and Statistics

In a hypothetical trial with 4,000 participants, the intervention group's average depression score is 1 point lower than the control group's on a scale ranging from 0 to 63, p < .001. Which conclusion is best supported?

  • A. The intervention produces a large, clinically important effect.
  • B. The result provides evidence against no average difference under the test's assumptions, but its clinical importance is not established.
  • C. The result is probably a Type I error because the sample is so large.
  • D. The p value shows the intervention works for 99.9% of clients.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. With thousands of participants, even a tiny average difference can produce a very small p value. The result is inconsistent with a no-difference model if the test's assumptions hold; the p value does not give the probability that the null hypothesis is true. A mistakes significance for size. C is not supported by the sample size alone. D misreads the p value, which says nothing about the share of clients who improve. Clinical importance also depends on the effect estimate, its uncertainty, the outcome measure, and the clinical context. (ASA statement on p-values, p. 2, principles 1–6 (PDF))

Question 6 · Part 2-style (skills) · Scientific Orientation to Practice

A client who has been making steady progress in her current treatment brings in a news story about that same study and asks whether she should switch. What is the best response?

  • A. Recommend switching, because the study's results were statistically significant.
  • B. Explain the study's one-point average difference in plain language, review its quality and relevance, and talk through how it weighs against her progress, preferences, and other evidence.
  • C. Tell her research findings don't apply to individual clients.
  • D. Decline to discuss the article and redirect to session goals.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. APA's evidence-based practice policy supports considering research, clinical expertise, and the client's characteristics and preferences together, and making treatment decisions collaboratively. ASPPB's Part 2 specifications include explaining research results so non-scientists can understand them and building client preferences and readiness into treatment decisions. B does both. A repeats the mistake from Question 5. C dismisses research that may be relevant. D shuts down a fair question the client deserves help thinking through. (APA policy on evidence-based practice: Clinical implications; ASPPB Handbook Appendix C, exemplars 1.1.2 and 2.6.2 (coverage) (PDF))

What changed: Question 5 tests whether you can read a result. Question 6 tests whether you can explain it to a client and use it in a shared decision.

Pair 4: Evidence-based treatment and competence

Question 7 · Part 1-style (knowledge) · Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Supervision

For an adult with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and mild functional impairment, which of these approaches is included in NICE's recommended initial psychological treatments?

  • A. Psychodynamic psychotherapy
  • B. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that includes exposure and response prevention (ERP)
  • C. Relaxation training alone
  • D. Nondirective supportive counseling
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. NICE's OCD guideline recommends low-intensity CBT that includes ERP as an initial psychological treatment for adults with mild functional impairment. In ERP, the client faces feared situations while resisting compulsions. The other options are not the initial psychological treatments recommended for this situation. The guideline varies treatment intensity and medication options according to impairment and response to treatment. (NICE CG31, recommendations 1.5.1.1–1.5.1.4)

Question 8 · Part 2-style (skills) · Professionalism

A licensed psychologist who has never been trained in ERP is seeing an adult client whose assessment has established OCD. The client asks about treatment options, including ERP. What should the psychologist do?

  • A. Start ERP using a manual found online, since ERP is the recommended treatment.
  • B. Explain the recommended options, and either refer to a clinician competent in ERP or develop competence through appropriate training and supervision before providing it.
  • C. Keep providing general supportive therapy without mentioning ERP, so the client isn't discouraged.
  • D. Tell the client OCD responds poorly to therapy and suggest medication only.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. APA Ethics Code Standards 2.01(a) and (c) require psychologists to work within their competence and undertake relevant preparation when adding new techniques. B respects both the evidence and that boundary. A starts a technique without established competence. C withholds relevant treatment information. D is inaccurate: CBT that includes ERP is among NICE's recommended OCD treatments. NICE also calls for appropriate training and ongoing clinical supervision for clinicians providing these psychological treatments. (APA Ethics Code, 2.01(a) and (c); NICE CG31, recommendations 1.5.1.1–1.5.1.4 and 1.5.2.1; ASPPB Handbook Appendix C, exemplars 4.1.1–4.1.4 (coverage) (PDF))

What changed: Question 7 asks you to recognize a recommended treatment. Question 8 asks what you should do when that treatment is outside your current competence.

What each part covers

Current content areas: Part 1 knowledge areas beside Part 2 competency domains (rows do not map one-to-one)
EPPP Part 1 – Knowledge % of questions EPPP Part 2 – Skills % of questions
Biological bases of behavior 10 Scientific orientation to practice 6
Cognitive-affective bases of behavior 13 Assessment and intervention 33
Social and cultural bases of behavior 11 Relational competence 16
Growth and lifespan development 12 Professionalism 11
Assessment and diagnosis 16 Ethical practice 17
Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision 15 Collaboration, consultation, and supervision 17
Research methods and statistics 7 No Part 2 domain in this row No Part 2 domain in this row
Ethical, legal, and professional issues 16 No Part 2 domain in this row No Part 2 domain in this row

Both lists come from ASPPB's 2017 job task analysis, and each totals 100% (current content areas; Handbook Appendices A and C (PDF)). The rows don't line up one-to-one. Part 2 builds on the core knowledge assessed in Part 1 and puts 33% of the exam on assessment and intervention.

These weights describe the share of exam questions, not how long you personally need to study each area. The integrated EPPP has its own, different future blueprint; don't swap its domains in for the current Part 2 list.

How your preparation should change

Part 1 rewards breadth. Eight areas, one best answer per question. Organize review by content area, pull each concept from memory before checking it, and practice questions until you can explain why the right answer fits. Cover all eight, including topics you'd rather avoid.

Part 2 rewards judgment. Expect a situation, a role (therapist, supervisor, consultant), and a question about the best next step. For every practice scenario, ask yourself: What's my role here? What does this person need right now? What's the ethical boundary? What would I document or consult about? Then write down the facts that drove your choice.

For either part, keep an error log. For each miss, record the topic, the wrong assumption or missed fact, where the correct explanation comes from, and when you'll review it again. It turns mistakes into a study list. It isn't a pass predictor.

A few practical differences on test day:

  • Read the directions on every Part 2 item. Follow each item's instructions when selecting the best answer or answers (Handbook p. 13 (PDF)).
  • Budget for media. Part 2 gives you more time per question on average (about 88 seconds versus 68), but videos and multi-question scenarios use it unevenly.
  • Take the tutorial seriously. Part 2's tutorial is longer, and navigation differs: some sections may limit moving back and forth. Test center staff won't know the exam's tools (Handbook p. 12 (PDF)).

Can you reuse your Part 1 studying for Part 2?

Partly. The underlying knowledge still matters, since Part 2 tests applying it. But your Part 1 notes may not cover the full range of Part 2's relational, professionalism, and supervision competencies or its formats. Check your existing materials against the six Part 2 domains and fill the gaps.

Is Part 2 harder?

Fewer questions doesn't mean easier. They measure different things. Both use a 200–800 scale with a recommended pass of 500 for independent practice, and that 500 isn't a fixed percentage correct. Scores are equated across exam forms, so an easier form takes more correct answers to pass and a harder form takes fewer (Handbook pp. 14–15 (PDF)). Either way, you can't swap one part for the other: your board's requirement decides which you take.

What changes with the integrated EPPP in 2027–2028

ASPPB is replacing both parts with one integrated exam that tests knowledge and skills together. This is an announced schedule, not something in force yet.

Announced integrated EPPP transition, 2027–2028
When What ASPPB has announced What to do
Now until launch Part 1 and Part 2 stay available to approved candidates, on their current blueprints. Follow your board's authorization and the current blueprint for your exam.
March 1–April 30, 2027 Integrated EPPP beta testing for first-time EPPP candidates approved by a participating licensing board. Fee: $100 + $91.88 sitting fee = $191.88. Results are expected in late June 2027, not immediately. Confirm your board participates and whether the delayed result fits your timeline; see ASPPB's beta test FAQ (PDF).
Launch, fourth quarter of 2027 The integrated EPPP becomes operational. Part 1 and Part 2 close to first-time test takers. Confirm with your board which exam your approval covers.
Launch through March 31, 2028 Anyone who took and did not pass Part 1 or Part 2 before launch may retake that same part. Integrated EPPP fee: $600 + test center fee. Confirm board approval and any retake limits before scheduling.
April 1, 2028 Part 1 and Part 2 are retired. The integrated EPPP is the only EPPP. Fee rises to $650 + test center fee. Use the integrated exam's instructions and blueprint.

Sources: ASPPB Current EPPP Exams FAQ, October 2026, p. 1 (PDF); The Integrated EPPP FAQ, October 2026, pp. 3–4 (PDF); ASPPB beta testing dates; EPPP Beta Test FAQ, October 2026, pp. 1–3 (PDF).

ASPPB describes the integrated EPPP as a single-day, computer-based exam at Pearson VUE centers. It will use 3- and 4-option multiple choice, extended multiple choice, scenario sets, and audio/video, cover six domains, and give one pass/fail result based on a total score. A French version will be offered where the law requires the examination to be available in French. (ASPPB integrated-exam format; Integrated EPPP FAQ, p. 3 (PDF))

What this means for you:

  • Your board requires Part 1 only: use the current Part 1 blueprint for an approved attempt before launch. If you do not pass, the retake deadline and your board's rules apply.
  • Your board requires Part 2: you need a Part 1 pass and a separate approval first. Confirm which exam your board will authorize if your first Part 2 appointment would be after launch.
  • Your first EPPP attempt will be after launch: expect the integrated exam, and confirm your board's authorization.

What if you passed Part 1 but haven't taken Part 2?

ASPPB's retake window covers candidates who took and did not pass a part. It doesn't spell out what happens to someone who passed Part 1, needs Part 2, and hasn't attempted it by launch. If that's you, send your board this question now:

I have passed EPPP Part 1 but have not attempted Part 2. If my first Part 2 appointment would fall after the integrated EPPP launches, which examination will I be authorized to take?

ASPPB can also clarify exam-transition rules through its contact page. Your board decides whether your existing Part 1 score satisfies its requirements.

Other questions

Can I take Part 1 and Part 2 on the same day?

Plan for separate appointments: you have to pass Part 1 before you can schedule Part 2, and Part 2 needs its own board approval (Handbook p. 5 (PDF); Pearson VUE eligibility information). You can study for them in overlapping stretches, but Part 1 always comes first.

I'm already licensed. Do I need Part 2 to move to a state that requires it?

It depends on that board's endorsement rules. Nevada, for example, doesn't require Part 2 from applicants who are currently licensed in another US jurisdiction and have been licensed for five years or more (NV Board FAQ). Check the new board's pathway in step 1 of the checklist above.

How many times can I retake each part?

ASPPB caps attempts at four per part in any 12-month period and recommends waiting about 90 days between attempts. Your board may be stricter. Georgia, for example, requires board-approved extra coursework or continuing education after three failed attempts on either part (Handbook p. 15 (PDF); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 510-2-.01).

How do I get my score?

For the current Part 1 and Part 2 exams, you get an unofficial score at the test center as soon as you finish. It's also posted to your Clarus account, where your board can see it, and your board decides whether it meets the passing standard. If you score below 500 on either part, your report includes a bar graph of performance by domain (Handbook p. 14 (PDF)).

Sources

The Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team checked these sources on November 5, 2026.

Castleport Test Prep is an independent exam prep publisher and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) or any licensing board. Exam and credential names are used to identify the subjects discussed; trademarks belong to their respective owners. The practice questions on this page are original and are not official exam questions. Passing the EPPP is one licensure requirement, not a license; confirm your requirements with your board.

EPPP Part 1 vs Part 2: Differences, Costs & Requirements