Overview of Examination Process

The California Psychology Licensing Law requires all applicants to take and pass the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Supplemental Examination (CPSE). Both examinations are computer-administered and are available for qualified applicants continuously at testing sites located throughout the state.

EPPP

The EPPP is a 200 multiple-choice question computer administered examination. The pass point on the EPPP is a scaled score of 500. The EPPP is owned by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. The EPPP is available for administration at Prometrics testing sites throughout North America. In California, applicants can take the EPPP once they have completed a qualifying doctorate degree and completed at least 1500 hours of qualifying supervised professional experience. More information on the EPPP can be found at www.asppb.org.

CPSE

The CPSE consists of 100 and 15 pretest (nonscored) questions, all multiple choice. The pretest questions will be presented randomly throughout the examination and will not be identified to the candidates. In addition to the standard multiple choice questions, certain questions will also be based upon 6-10 vignettes. Candidates will have three hours to complete the examination.The CPSE is developed by the California Board of Psychology through the Office of Examination Resources of the Department of Consumer Affairs. The CPSE is available for administration at Thomson Prometric testing sites throughout the State of California. Applicants can take the CPSE once they have completed a qualifying doctorate degree, completed all 3000 hours of qualifying supervised professional experience and have passed the EPPP. More information on the CPSE can be found on the board's web site at www.psychboard.ca.gov.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR WAIVER OF THE EPPP

Pursuant to section 1388.6 of the California Code of Regulations, the EPPP will be waived if the applicant meets one or more of the criteria listed below. The CPSE will not be waived for any applicant under any condition.

• A California-licensed psychologist has been licensed for at least five years and has allowed his/her license to expire by not renewing the license for at least three years and has not been subject to discipline, the psychologist shall be required to file a new application, meet all current licensing requirements, pay all currently applicable fees, and take and pass the CPSE.
• An applicant for licensure as a psychologist has been licensed in another state, Canadian province, or U.S. territory for at least five years and the license has not been subject to discipline, the applicant shall be required to meet all current licensing requirements, pay all currently applicable fees, and take and pass the CPSE.
• An applicant for licensure as a psychologist who holds a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards shall be deemed to have met the education and experience requirements for licensure, shall be required to pay all currently applicable fees, and take and pass the CPSE.
• An applicant for licensure as a psychologist who is credentialed as a Health Service Provider in Psychology by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and has been licensed based on a doctoral degree in another state, Canadian province, or U.S. territory for a minimum of five years shall be deemed to have met the education and experience requirements for licensure, shall be required to pay all currently applicable fees, and take and pass the CPSE.
• An applicant for licensure as a psychologist who has abandoned his/her application pursuant to section 1381.5 of the California Code of Regulations and thereby must reapply for a license shall be required to meet all current licensing requirements, pay all currently applicable fees, and take and pass the CPSE.