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.
What's on the exam
ASPPB EPPP (Part 1 — Knowledge) content areas
Biological Bases of Behavior
~12%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
~15%APA Ethics Code · Confidentiality and privilege · Informed consent · Professional boundaries · Licensure laws and regulation
Frequently asked questions
How much does the EPPP cost?
Fees vary. Approximately $690 ASPPB exam fee plus a Pearson VUE test-center fee; 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?
Typically after a 60-day wait, up to 4 attempts per year (jurisdiction-dependent).
What is the best way to study for the EPPP?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Biological Bases of Behavior ~12%, 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 ~15%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
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