California psychology board presses ASPPB on EPPP after low pass rates; schedules outreach and urges survey participation

The California Board of Psychology’s Licensure Committee on Aug. 8 said it is pressing the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) for changes to the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) after state pass rates fell and many applicants and license-seekers told the committee the test is a barrier to licensure.

The committee’s exam coordinator reported that “for the EPPP, currently, the overall pass rate for the California candidates for the EPPP in 2025 is 39 percent,” and that the overall first‑time pass rate was 63 percent. Committee members and staff said those figures are lower than in prior years and that the board has expressed concern to ASPPB.

In a recent letter to ASPPB the board outlined implementation and equity concerns, the committee said. John Burke, executive officer of the California Board of Psychology, told the committee he and board staff met with Mary Anne Burnett Atwell, ASPPB’s chief executive officer, to discuss state-specific implementation concerns, timelines and potential equity effects. Burke said the board will increase outreach and share ASPPB’s upcoming events with California applicants and licensees.

ASPPB is hosting a virtual town hall for students and licensure candidates on Sept. 18, 2025 (1–2 p.m. Eastern), and is conducting a job‑task‑analysis survey intended to inform updates to the EPPP. Burke said the board will send the survey to its licensee email list and post notices on social media; ASPPB’s survey deadline is Sept. 29, 2025. Burke told the committee the survey should take roughly 30 minutes and responses are anonymous and reported in aggregate.

The committee discussed a prior feasibility review the board undertook of a California‑specific exam. Burke said the board looked at creating a state exam several years ago with the Office of Professional Examination Services but concluded at that time it was not feasible because of cost, potential reciprocity and portability risks and a likely implementation timing gap that could temporarily impede licensure.

Public commenters at the meeting gave repeated accounts of repeated EPPP failures and described job loss, financial hardship and mental‑health impacts. Commenters urged the board to coordinate with other states, especially Texas, which recently funded development of an alternative licensing exam. Several public speakers asked the board to pursue reciprocity or collaboration with Texas and with other states exploring alternative pathways.

Committee members said they are monitoring developments and will continue to push for more data from ASPPB and to publicize participation opportunities. The board and staff encouraged licensees and students to complete ASPPB’s job‑task survey and to attend the Sept. 18 town hall so California voices are represented.

The committee said it will update the full board at its next meeting on Aug. 22 and will post materials and notices on the board website and by email. No regulatory or examination policy changes were adopted at the Aug. 8 licensure committee meeting; the item was presented for information and follow‑up direction only.

Context and next steps: The board’s letter to ASPPB and the staff meeting with ASPPB’s CEO were presented in the committee materials (see meeting packet pages referenced during the meeting). The board will distribute information about the town hall and the job‑task analysis survey via its licensee email lists and social media and review responses at upcoming meetings.