A proposed national certification exam for psychologists that was set to introduce additional costs has been temporarily halted following strong opposition from Texas’s licensing authority. They have been advocating for a more affordable alternative in response to the ongoing shortage of mental health providers.
On Tuesday evening, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) announced its decision to pause the implementation of the new qualification test before their upcoming national conference in Dallas. This decision, which was initially communicated in 2022, had stated that as of January 1, 2026, a new “skills” test, costing an additional $450, would accompany the existing $800 knowledge exam known as the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
The proposed skills assessment aimed to ensure that candidates possess the necessary abilities to function effectively in a clinical environment. In a recent statement, the ASPPB board noted that they would shift their focus from disagreement to finding a resolution, prompted by continuous input from both their members and the wider psychology community.
Instead of moving forward with the costly skills test, the ASPPB plans to investigate the possibility of creating a combined exam that would evaluate both knowledge and practical skills in a single session. The organization expressed its intention to collaboratively navigate this critical juncture in order to foster both professional growth and adequate client protection.
John Bielamowicz, the chair of the Texas psychologists’ licensing board, has commended the decision, although he expressed concern about the swift reversal. He emphasized that such rapid changes can be detrimental to prospective psychologists who are on the verge of entering the field.
Texas has led the way in examining alternatives to the national certification exam due to its prohibitive costs, inspiring support from states such as Oklahoma, California, New York, and Florida. Currently, psychologists in Texas must hold a doctoral degree and successfully pass three examinations: the $800 knowledge test, a jurisprudence test costing $210, and a $320 oral exam. Additionally, candidates must pay $340 for the mandatory 3,500 hours of supervised experience.
Every failure in these tests necessitates retaking the exam and incurring further expenses. Numerous mental health professionals testified before the Texas board earlier this year about the financial burden of attempting to pass the knowledge exam, warning that the introduction of an additional test would only compound their financial difficulties.
Rejecting the additional examination would have rendered future psychologists in Texas unable to utilize the existing test, which has been in place since 1965. Earlier this summer, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council reached out to the Federal Trade Commission, accusing the national board of violating federal antitrust laws by altering the EPPP without state input or approval. In defense, the national board rejected these allegations, asserting that the changes were justified and aligned with broader standards for doctoral-level health service licensure across the United States.
The recent announcement represents a considerable victory for Texas, where there is a pressing need for mental health professionals. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services reveals that 246 out of 256 counties in the state are grappling with a shortage of these providers, with two additional counties classified as having partial shortages.
Bielamowicz mentioned that the licensing agency still contemplates merging the exams into one comprehensive assessment, suggesting that a potential increase in costs could be forthcoming. While expressing gratitude that ASPPB acknowledged the lack of support for the proposed test, he also remarked that the decision to withdraw from the deadline does not significantly change the situation, indicating that a future reattempt with a similar format is likely.
The ASPPB continues to uphold the notion that enhancing public protection necessitates a comprehensive and competency-based licensing examination that assesses both foundational knowledge and practical skills. They recognize that the current state of affairs poses risks to the collective goals of the profession, as a conflict emerges without a clear resolution in sight.
Texas lawmakers are expected to have the authority to deliberate on the development of a state-specific licensing exam for psychologists in the forthcoming legislative session, regardless of the recent decision by the ASPPB, as noted by Bielamowicz.