ASPPB
EPPP
Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
The national licensure exam for psychologists in the US and Canada. Required by every state and provincial licensing board, it stands between a doctoral degree in psychology and independent practice.
Full program: 8 decks, 914 cards.
What's on the exam
ASPPB EPPP (Part 1 — Knowledge) content areas (EPPP Candidate Handbook, January 2026)
Biological Bases of Behavior
10%Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology · Psychopharmacology · Sensation and perception · Genetics and behavior · Hormones and behavior
Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior
13%Learning theory · Memory · Emotion and motivation · Intelligence · Judgment and decision-making
Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior
11%Social cognition · Group dynamics · Diversity and multicultural issues · Attitudes and persuasion · Interpersonal relationships
Growth and Lifespan Development
12%Theories of development · Cognitive development · Social-emotional development · Aging · Atypical development
Assessment and Diagnosis
16%Psychometrics · Intellectual and cognitive assessment · Personality assessment · DSM diagnostic criteria · Behavioral assessment
Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Supervision
15%Evidence-based psychotherapies · Cognitive-behavioral therapy · Treatment planning and outcomes · Prevention programs · Clinical supervision models
Research Methods and Statistics
7%Research design · Statistical inference · Validity and reliability · Program evaluation · Meta-analysis
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
16%APA Ethics Code · Confidentiality and privilege · Informed consent · Professional boundaries · Licensure laws and regulation
Frequently asked questions
How much does the EPPP cost?
The EPPP costs $600. $600 ASPPB base exam fee plus a $91.88 Pearson VUE test-site fee per sitting; state board application fees additional.
How long is the EPPP and how many questions does it have?
225 items (175 scored, 50 unscored pretest) — 4 hours 15 minutes.
What do you need to pass the EPPP?
Scaled score of 500 (200–800 scale) recommended by ASPPB; adopted by most jurisdictions.
Can you retake the EPPP?
No more than 4 attempts in any 12-month period; ASPPB recommends waiting about 90 days; jurisdiction retake rules vary.
What is the best way to study for the EPPP?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Biological Bases of Behavior 10%, Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior 13%, Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior 11%, Growth and Lifespan Development 12%, Assessment and Diagnosis 16%, Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Supervision 15%, Research Methods and Statistics 7%, Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues 16%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our EPPP — Professional Practice in Psychology program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.