PhD/PsyD EPPP: Applying for Licensure in a Different State to Take it Sooner?

[LedZepp007]

Hi all,

Quick question that I know has been answered (partially) elsewhere: is it taboo or otherwise ridiculous to apply for a license in a state that allows you to take the EPPP without postdoctoral hours (in this case Michigan) even though you ultimately have no intention of practicing there?

I plan on getting licensed in Massachusetts, but really don't want to wait 10 months or more to take the test (and, in doing so, having to concurrently worry about a job search).

I would take the EPPP in a couple of months (and hopefully pass!) and pay to have my scores transferred.

Thanks!

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[WisNeuro]

From this point on you will have to check, and explain, why you let your license lapse in another state for every job app, new license, etc. Seems to me just more trouble than it's worth.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Also, keep in mind that even in states that require postdoctoral hours, they may still let you sit for the EPPP prior to completing those so long as your degree has been conferred. You may just need to have current supervisors and/or prior references fill out the equivalent of a "these hours are in progress" form.

Not sure if that's the case for Mass., but it's worth a shot to try and find out.

Beyond that, I'd echo what WisNeuro mentioned--if you know which state you'd like to be licensed in, just go ahead and stick with that state. It'll likely end up saving you money (and possibly time) in the long run, and you won't need to explain why you've let a license lapse.

 

[LedZepp007]

From this point on you will have to check, and explain, why you let your license lapse in another state for every job app, new license, etc. Seems to me just more trouble than it's worth.

That's good info. Is there any way at all that you know of to take the EPPP earlier?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

People do it all of the time. MI, KS, and I think at least 2 other states this is pretty common. I let my MI license expire and it has never been an issue applying for licensure in another state.

 

[LedZepp007]

Sorry for my ignorance here. I've been so focused on other stuff (moving for fellowship, getting engaged) that I haven't had proper time to look into this more.

So, if I were to apply for a Michigan license and take the EPPP, I would need to follow through with the whole process and get fully licensed there? Or could I just tell them no thanks and transfer my EPPP scores to MA?

 

[smalltownpsych]

The only question I ran into regarding previous licensure in another state was regarding sanctions, complaints, violations, things like that. Regardless if license is expired or current that would still be the case. If they did ask why I let it lapse I would just state that it was because I moved to another state and it didn't make sense to pay the renewal fees.

 

[LedZepp007]

Has anybody on here done this?

 

[smalltownpsych]

One of the questions that licensing boards will ask is if you have ever applied for a license in another state. If you applied to one state merely so that you could take the EPPP with no intention of getting a license there that might be technically legal but could be construed as exploiting a loophole. As psychologists we try to hold ourselves to the highest standards and ethical principles. Much different than my friend in business where if it is legal, then you can do it.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I think there's also a bit of a gray area--if you're applying for licensure in one of the states with fewer requirements (e.g., KS, AL, MI) simply because you don't know where you're going to end up, but you want to be licensed somewhere (or know you'll be working in the VA) while applying for jobs, then that's one thing. But if you're applying for licensure somewhere solely to sit for the EPPP and know ahead of time you don't plan on completing the application (and/or know there's another state you'll be practicing in and want to be licensed in), that might be construed differently. I honestly don't know. The former happens all the time; the latter, I'm not sure.

I also think this speaks to the fact that it's highly annoying that state reqs, at least just to sit for the licensing exam, can be so different from one another. This could be one huge argument in favor of having the EPPP taken either late in grad school or at some point on internship (universally).

You could always ask the licensing board itself, although I'd imagine there probably isn't a way to do so anonymously.

 

[erg923]

I think im confused. In state where you can take predoctorally, dont you have to have a supervsion plan in place for that state since the whole point of the test is for securing a license to practice.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I think im confused. In state where you can take predoctorally, dont you have to have a supervsion plan in place for that state since the whole point of the test is for securing a license to practice.

At least when I applied (to a state that required postdoctoral hours but allowed me to sit prior to accumulating them), my supervisors needed to fill out forms that spoke to the amount of clinical work I'd done and would do, and the amount of supervision they'd provided and would provide, yep. Although that plan would've been in place regardless of where I was applying for licensure, so technically I suppose I could've had them fill the forms out for one state, taken the EPPP, and then shifted everything over to a different state.

 

[IT514]

One of the questions that licensing boards will ask is if you have ever applied for a license in another state. If you applied to one state merely so that you could take the EPPP with no intention of getting a license there that might be technically legal but could be construed as exploiting a loophole. As psychologists we try to hold ourselves to the highest standards and ethical principles. Much different than my friend in business where if it is legal, then you can do it.

I agree with AA that theres some grey here. I've passed the EPPP in a state that doesnt require postdoc hours to sit (although at this point I've put my 2000 in). At this point I'm considering possibilities in my current state, thinking that I might stay here (offer is in the works). However, there is an offer in the works in another state - so I transferred my score and have begun applying there as well. Both states require a jurisprudence exam. I'm considering waiting until I have more certainty about where I'll end up before taking the jurisprudence exam...I dont find this as being unethical, merely pragmatic given the additional costs and time investment involved in these exams.