ASPPB unveils integrated EPPP; California board presses for data, access and a transition plan

ASPPB representatives told the California Board of Psychology on Feb. 13 that the integrated examination for professional practice in psychology (the integrated EPPP) will combine knowledge and skills into a single, computer-based administration and is scheduled to be operational in April 2027. Dr. Hao Song, associate executive director of examination services at ASPPB, said the exam will include about 175 scored items, roughly 40 pretest items, and new item types including scenario-based questions that can include audio or video.

Why it matters: The integrated EPPP represents the most significant change to the licensure exam that California psychologists use to demonstrate readiness for independent practice. Board members said the timing, cost, and possible effects on candidate pass rates and equity require detailed review before the board considers any regulatory or statutory changes.

ASPPB said the new blueprint is public and that the organization plans to publish a sample exam in mid-to-late 2026 and run beta testing in spring 2027 to establish performance standards. Dr. Song and Dr. Horn described an iterative item-development process that includes trained item writers, pretesting, statistical review (differential item functioning), and an independent item review committee to flag and remove items showing potential bias.

Board members pressed presenters on several fronts. Dr. Harpsheets and others noted a multi-decade decline in some pass-rate metrics in California and asked whether the integrated format might depress pass rates further. Dr. Song pointed to multiple factors (changes in training, COVID-era impacts, exam vendor changes) and said ASPPB would analyze recent candidate data and share additional findings. "We plan to publish sample materials and data so candidates and jurisdictions can prepare," he said.

Accessibility and fairness were recurring themes. Dr. Kasuga and Dr. Cervantes asked about accommodations, language access, and how non-APA graduate training routes would be evaluated. ASPPB said accommodations will continue to be reviewed at the jurisdiction level and noted a TOEFL-based pathway for English-as-a-second-language time-and-a-half determinations in California; ASPPB representatives also said they are collecting demographic data for item-writer volunteers and would provide summary statistics to jurisdictions.

Cost and transition planning also drew questions. Several board members requested concrete timing for the exam fee decision; ASPPB committed to releasing fee information in the coming month. The presenters confirmed there will be an overlap/transition period during which the current EPPP (parts 1 and 2) will remain available while the integrated exam is rolled out.

What happens next: ASPPB will publish the sample exam and continue outreach; the board asked staff to produce an implementation plan to consider at the May meeting and requested more data on pass-rate drivers, item-writer demographics, accommodations statistics, and a concrete transition timeline. The board also discussed inviting ASPPB and PSYPACT leadership to future meetings for deeper review.

Ending: The board did not take formal action on exam recognition during the meeting; staff will return with a refined implementation plan and additional evidence for the May meeting.