ASPPB has emphasized that the process of licensure not only involves the EPPP - it also involves training experiences, review of transcripts, letters of recommendation, a background check, the passing of local jurisprudence exams, etc. However, the EPPP is THE barrier to licensure even after all of these other hurdles have been cleared.

When I took the EPPP in 2017, not one of my highly trained and respected supervisors sat down with me and explained how important and valuable this exam is. Rather, they and many of us in this community view it as an obstacle, another unfair and expensive benchmark that will have no bearing on us as professionals beyond the issuance of our license. While some might like to justify the passing score as aligning with the credentialing exam of other professions, they also fail to provide supporting evidence that such exams actually reflect real competency or prevent malpractice. In fact, other healthcare professions have much higher base rates of malpractice claims than psychologists. Furthermore, to state the obvious, jurisdictional boards have to rule on disciplinary action for people who passed the EPPP all the time.

While I don't necessarily think an abolishment of a licensing exam is in order, I do think we need to push for reforms to this exam. In the interim, changing the passing score seems like a good idea to ensure we have a strong workforce.