The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in the era of evidence-based practice.

Abstract

Professional psychology has increasingly moved toward evidence-based practice. However, instrumentsused to assess psychologists seeking licensure, such as the Examination for Professional Practice inPsychology (EPPP), have received relatively little empirical scrutiny. Therefore, the authors evaluatedthe available evidence in support of the EPPP’s validity and current use as a core component ofprofessional licensure. Although the EPPP has in many ways been extensively evaluated, there is apaucity of criterion, predictive, and incremental validity evidence available. Further, several aspects ofthe content validation studies were examined, and the authors question whether the EPPP, as currentlyconstructed, can meet its stated goals. Given that the EPPP is a high-stakes examination and given theauthors’ best estimate (based on a sample of 16 states) that 35% of applicants fail the examination, it isrecommended that the EPPP be more extensively evaluated. An outline of major decision points in thisproposed evaluation process is provided, several suggestions for further research are proposed, and thefield is encouraged to discuss these issues further.Keywords: ExaminationforProfessionalPracticeinPsychology,EPPP,licensure,educationandtraining,competence