Licensure committee hears urgent public concern over national EPPP as staff outline timeline for new integrated exam
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Summary
The Board of Psychology Licensure Committee heard widespread public concern about low EPPP pass rates and potential cultural and accessibility barriers; Executive Officer Jonathan Burke said a blueprint for ASPPB's integrated exam will be public around Feb. 1, 2026, with item writing in 2026 and beta testing and launch targeted for 2027.
The Board of Psychology Licensure Committee on Jan. 30 fielded sustained public comment about low pass rates on the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and received an update from Executive Officer Jonathan Burke on the exam’s development.
Several test takers and practicing psychologists told the committee the current EPPP pass rate is discouraging and may unfairly exclude qualified candidates. "I’ve taken this exam nine times and failed every single time," said one commenter, who urged the board to consider alternate formats such as domain-based exams. Another test taker said the exam’s language ‘‘appears to favor native speakers’’ and described repeated, costly failures.
Burke said the joint task analysis to inform a new blueprint was completed in September 2025 with substantial California participation and that ASPPB plans to release the blueprint around Feb. 1, 2026. "Item writing will begin this year, they hope to have beta testing of a sample exam in 2027, and the integrated exam will launch in 2027," Burke said, adding that cost and eligibility details remain unknown. He said DCA’s Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) will review any new exam for compliance with California law before the board considers adoption.
Public speakers urged the board to press ASPPB for diverse pretest samples and alternative delivery models, and some suggested exploring the Texas Board of Psychology’s efforts to develop a different exam. Burke said he has discussed the issue with counterparts in other jurisdictions and will provide a fuller briefing at the Feb. 13 board meeting, when ASPPB staff will be available to answer questions.
The committee did not take formal action on licensing exam policy at this meeting; members directed staff to bring more detail to the full board’s February meeting and to ensure the new blueprint and implementation considerations are reviewed with OPES.
What happens next: the board’s Feb. 13 meeting in Sacramento will include further discussion with ASPPB representatives and a presentation of the blueprint when it is available.