# EPPP Exam Guide 2026: Pass Rates, Prep Timeline & Costs
**Author:** Psych Degree Starter Editorial Team
**Published:** September 17, 2026
**Updated:** September 17, 2026
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The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is a licensing examination developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Passing it is an important step toward psychologist licensure, but candidates must also satisfy the other requirements established by their licensing authority.
## **EPPP Exam Guide: Key Facts for 2026**
This EPPP exam guide begins with the main differences between Part 1–Knowledge and Part 2–Skills.
| **Topic** | **EPPP Part 1–Knowledge** | **EPPP Part 2–Skills** |
| Purpose | Assess foundational knowledge | Assess applied professional skills |
| Questions | 225 total; 175 scored | 170 total; 130 scored |
| Testing time | 4 hours, 15 minutes | 4 hours, 10 minutes |
| Exam fee | $600 | $450 |
| Test-center fee | $91.88 | $91.88 |
| Who takes it | Candidates approved by their licensing authority | Candidates whose licensing authority requires Part 2 |
The question counts, testing times, and fees come from the[ January 2026 ASPPB EPPP Candidate Handbook] (https://asppb.net/wp-content/uploads/EPPP-Candidate-Handbook_01.2026.pdf) . Exam and test-center fees apply to each sitting and are nonrefundable.
## **What Is the EPPP, and Who Has to Take It?**
ASPPB develops and owns the EPPP, which psychology licensing authorities use when evaluating applicants for licensure or certification. Candidates generally must first apply to the authority in the state, territory, or province where they intend to become licensed. The authority reviews their qualifications and, if they are eligible, authorizes them to register.
Candidates should review the[ state psychologist licensure requirements] (https://psychdegreestarter.com/licensure/psychologist-licensure-requirements-by-state/) where they plan to practice and confirm the rules directly with the responsible authority. Available[ psychology licensures] (https://psychdegreestarter.com/licensure/psychology-licensures/) , scopes of practice, and qualification requirements can vary by jurisdiction.
The EPPP has two parts, but they are not required in the same way.
### **Part 1–Knowledge**
Part 1 assesses foundational knowledge across eight areas of psychology and is the standard knowledge examination used by ASPPB member licensing jurisdictions. Candidates must receive approval from the authority where they are seeking licensure before taking it.
### **Part 2–Skills**
Part 2 evaluates how candidates apply their knowledge in situations associated with independent psychology practice. Questions may incorporate professional scenarios, video, audio, and other computer-based formats.
Only candidates seeking licensure in jurisdictions that have adopted Part 2 must take it. To determine whether that includes them, candidates can locate their jurisdiction through [ASPPB’s licensing-board directory] (https://asppb.net/contact-licensing-board/) and confirm the requirement directly with the board. They must pass Part 1 before taking Part 2 and obtain separate authorization from their licensing authority.
## **What Does the EPPP Cost in 2026?**
Part 1 costs $691.88 per attempt. Candidates required to complete both parts pay $1,233.76 if they pass each on the first attempt.
| **Direct testing expense** | **Cost** |
| Part 1 exam fee | $600 |
| Part 1 test-center fee | $91.88 |
| **Part 1 total** | **$691.88** |
| Part 2 exam fee | $450 |
| Part 2 test-center fee | $91.88 |
| **Combined Part 1 and Part 2 total** | **$1,233.76** |
These January 2026 fees apply per sitting and are nonrefundable. Candidates who retake either part must pay the applicable charges again.
Other potential expenses include:
- Licensing-authority application fees
- Study materials or preparation courses
- Travel and lodging
- Score transfers
- Retesting
- Rescheduling fees and applicable taxes
Under the January 2026 policy, rescheduling at least 32 calendar days before an appointment is free. Rescheduling fewer than 32 days but more than 24 hours before the scheduled start time costs $87.50 plus applicable tax. Canceling during that period carries the same charge without refunding the original fees; canceling or rescheduling within 24 hours forfeits the exam and test-center fees.
## **What Score Do You Need to Pass the EPPP?**
ASPPB reports scores on a scale from 200 to 800. It recommends 500 as the passing standard for independent practice and identifies 450 as its recommended standard for supervised practice. Licensing authorities determine which standard applies under their rules.
A scaled score of 500 does not mean that a candidate answered 50% of the questions correctly. ASPPB converts raw scores—the number of correct answers—to scaled scores and uses equating to account for differences in difficulty among exam forms. The number of correct answers needed can therefore vary even when the scaled passing standard does not.
As of January 2026, all licensing authorities accepted ASPPB’s recommended Part 1 score of 500 for independent practice. Standards for supervised practice varied by jurisdiction.
## **What Are the EPPP Pass Rates?**
There is no single published pass rate representing every EPPP candidate or attempt. ASPPB’s[ 2025 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program report] (https://asppb.net/wp-content/uploads/2025-DOCTORAL-REPORT-PUBLICATION.pdf) covers first-time Part 1 test-takers from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2024, in doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association.
First-time candidates passed at about 75% between 2020 and 2024. That's down from over 80% in the years before the pandemic, which ASPPB says may partly reflect pandemic-related disruptions to doctoral training.
The report uses a scaled score of at least 500 to calculate passing and withholds program-level counts and pass rates when four or fewer candidates tested. Its findings have important limits:
- They cover Part 1, not Part 2.
- They represent first attempts, not all attempts.
- They do not include every EPPP candidate.
- A program’s historical pass rate does not predict an individual candidate’s result and should not be treated as a ranking by itself.
## **What Is Covered on the EPPP?**
The two parts assess separate sets of knowledge and skills.
### **Part 1 content areas**
- Biological bases of behavior
- Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
- Social and cultural bases of behavior
- Growth and lifespan development
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision
- Research methods and statistics
- Ethical, legal, and professional issues
### **Part 2 skills domains**
- Scientific orientation
- Assessment and intervention
- Relational competence
- Professionalism
- Ethical practice
- Collaboration, consultation, and supervision
The domains carry different weights and contain more specific competencies or content statements. Candidates should use[ ASPPB’s current EPPP content areas and test specifications] (https://asppb.net/exams/asppb-examination-for-professional-psychology-eppp/eppp-exam-topics/) rather than relying only on abbreviated commercial summaries.
## **How Long Should You Study for the EPPP?**
ASPPB does not prescribe one preparation period for every candidate. Baseline knowledge, time since relevant coursework, diagnostic performance, personal obligations, weekly availability, and the exam part being taken can all affect preparation needs.
The following 8- to 12-week framework is an illustrative starting point, not an official recommendation or guarantee.
### **Weeks 1–2: Assess and plan**
Review the current test specifications, complete an appropriate diagnostic assessment, identify stronger and weaker domains, and establish a realistic weekly schedule. ASPPB’s sample exams can help candidates become familiar with the format, but its handbook cautions that they are not designed to diagnose areas requiring additional study.
### **Weeks 3–8: Study and practice**
Work through the domains systematically. Use practice questions to test application and reasoning as well as recall, revisit weaker areas, and include mixed-domain practice. Candidates with less time may need to compress this phase; those returning to the material after a longer absence may need to extend it.
### **Final 2–4 weeks: Simulate and refine**
Complete timed practice to assess pacing and concentration. Review errors and the reasoning behind them, then adjust the remaining study plan. Confirm the appointment location, identification requirements, and travel arrangements before test day.
## **How to Register for and Take the EPPP**
Registration begins with the licensing authority rather than directly with ASPPB or Pearson VUE.
1. **Apply to the licensing authority.** Submit an application where you are seeking licensure so the authority can evaluate your eligibility.
2. **Receive authorization to test.** If approved, the authority enters your information into ASPPB’s Certemy registration system.
3. **Complete registration.** Follow the Certemy instructions, review the required materials, and verify that your name matches your identification.
4. **Pay the fees.** Pay the exam and Pearson VUE test-center fees through Certemy. Because they are nonrefundable, wait until you are prepared to schedule and test.
5. **Schedule through Pearson VUE.** Select an authorized testing center and an appointment within your eligibility period.
6. **Prepare for test day.** Review the identification policy, bring the required IDs, and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Authorization may last up to 12 months after payment, but the licensing authority can set an earlier expiration date. Candidates should obtain their eligibility period directly from that authority because it may not appear in Certemy.
Testing accommodations must be approved before registration and scheduling. U.S. candidates must test at a U.S. testing center, including centers in U.S. territories. The EPPP has no scheduled breaks; candidates may take an optional break, but the exam clock continues to run.
## **What Happens After the EPPP?**
Candidates ordinarily receive an unofficial score report at the testing center and should retain it. The official result goes to the licensing authority selected during registration, which determines whether the score satisfies its requirements and what steps remain.
Candidates whose score does not meet the applicable standard must contact that authority for permission to retake the exam part. Jurisdictions may impose waiting periods or additional conditions. ASPPB limits candidates to four attempts at either part within a rolling 12-month period and recommends waiting approximately 90 days after an unsuccessful attempt to prepare.
## **Prepare for the Exam—and the Full Licensure Process**
Begin with your licensing authority’s current requirements, then use ASPPB’s handbook and test specifications to plan for the appropriate exam part. Build a preparation schedule around your diagnostic performance, available time, and testing date.