Dear APAGS Colleagues,

We would like to share critical information that was written by Tyson D Bailey, PsyD (Chair, APA Committee on Early Career Psychologists) that directly impacts graduate students and early career psychologists across the nation:

Recently, ASPPB released the attached letter rescinding their decision to require all states and provinces to implement Part 2 of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Part 2 is skills-based exam planned for a 2020 release and is expected to complement the current version of the EPPP, which assesses knowledge. This decision allows jurisdictions to choose whether or not they will adopt the second part of the EPPP when it is released. CECP is concerned about the implications of this decision. We are continuing to monitor the following issues:

• Mobility. Having some states take on Part 2 while others do not is likely to increase the difficulties people have moving from one state to another and getting licensed. This may particularly deter service in rural communities that already struggle to have enough qualified mental health professionals to provide sufficient care.
• Permanence. The language of the letter leaves the door open to change this decision in the future. It is important to realize this may not be a permanent decision as a number of states are already laying the groundwork to implement Part 2 immediately upon release.
• Sequence of training. It is unclear whether Part 1 will be available prior to graduation (and after core coursework is completed). This is something that CECP, APAGS, and the APA Board of Directors have advocated for, and which ASPPB initially agreed to allow beginning in 2020 with the roll-out of Part 2. What we can say with certainty at this point is that Part 1 will not be able to be taken earlier in any state that does not adopt the Part 2 examination.
• Cost. We have heard no mention of reduction in fees for states that agree to require the Part 2 exam. ASPPB maintains that Part 1 and Part 2 will cost $600 each. We remain concerned about how this may impact the decision to come into the field, as well as the continued difficulties associated with another cost for someone transitioning from student to early career psychologist.
• Implementation (Added concern from APAGS). We have concerns regarding licensure requirements for an individual who has already passed the EPPP Part 1, and a timeline for when the EPPP Part 2 requirement will be waived. This is now unclear with the rolling implementation of the Enhanced EPPP. APAGS strongly supports clear and consistent communication between ASPPB, individual licensing jurisdictions, and graduate students regarding grandparenting periods that should be put in place in order to clarify for each graduate student exactly what exams are required for them to pass in order to be licensed.

Once again, your representatives at APA are monitoring this recent development and we will pass along any substantial news that we learn in the weeks ahead. You may use this listerv to discuss reactions and ask questions; you can also reach us individually by using the emails listed here.

With warm regards,
APAGS Executive Committee Leadership