Is this real? State of Texas creating their own EPPP?

[psychtrauma]

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Haven't heard of this elsewhere but this article was published on 6/24/25. Last I heard ASPPB was moving forward with a "reimagined EPPP" but this seems to put a potential wrench in that plan.

Editing to include the link: Texas to create its own psychology licensing test amid pushback on national exam

 

[WisNeuro]

They can do it, but I imagine this would lead to them losing PSYPACT status, as well as their licenses not being recognized elsewhere. So, fine if you want to stay in Texas and don't plan on any out of state practice, telehealth or otherwise.

Texas has also sharply expanded midlevel scope in recent years. Looks like they essentially want to make the practice of psychology a midlevel thing. An ebbing tide lowers all boats, y'all. Glad I'm not an ECP these days.

 

[WisNeuro]

Reading further, the TX argument seems disingenuous. They're saying that an easier test will allow them to meet shortages. The first-time pass rate of the EPP usually hovers between 76-82% any given year. So, it's not like there is a flood of people just waiting to get in. Additionally, most of these are diploma mills grads, with a high proportion in CA urban areas. It's not like these people are just itching to move to rural TX to go practice. This seems like just another way TX wants to enter the culture war and erode any semblance of training/expertise in a bid to out MAGA Florida, where you can teach without a license as long as you were in the military.

 

[psy.d. 2021]

It's going to be a tough hill for TX to climb for the reasons mentioned above. Not sure if I'm being overly hopeful or not, but wondering if this ends up being posturing by TX in an attempt to further pressure ASPPB to scuttle whatever EPPP part 2 will end up looking like. We have to remember ASPPB didn't shut it down for good, just for now. Maybe things like this (losing control of their exam and licensing process) might make them think twice about a part two. IIRC part two's ability to actually predict whether someone can practice clinically was up for debate. And ASPPB still tried to shove it down the state's throats.

 

[PsyDr]

Texas created their own criteria for mental ******ation/intellectual disability BASED UPON LENNIE FROM "OF MICE AND MEN".

So, it is probably real life.

Family of author John Steinbeck “deeply troubled” by scheduled execution of Marvin Wilson – TCADP

tcadp.org

 

[downhillfromhere]

. This seems like just another way TX wants to enter the culture war and erode any semblance of training/expertise in a bid to out MAGA Florida, where you can teach without a license as long as you were in the military.

…What is this in reference to? lol? Could you share more?

As to the broader OP, thank goodness I will never be anywhere near TX. Seems like a **** show. I do wish ASPBB would directly address the issue of racial disparities across EPPP scores… which I think is what prompted this effort across several states.

They need to simultaneously tackle the (very serious) issues of diploma mill grads w/o competencies or actual evidence-based training joining the field… It’s all such a circus. Created by the larger incompetence/negligence of the APA.

 

[WisNeuro]

…What is this in reference to? lol? Could you share more?

As to the broader OP, thank goodness I will never be anywhere near TX. Seems like a **** show. I do wish ASPBB would directly address the issue of racial disparities across EPPP scores… which I think is what prompted this effort across several states.

They need to simultaneously tackle the (very serious) issues of diploma mill grads w/o competencies or actual evidence-based training joining the field… It’s all such a circus. Created by the larger incompetence/negligence of the APA.

While this could be true, the "data" that suggest this are disingenuous. The Sharpless articles are fundamentally flawed. This association is almost assuredly accounted for by the diploma mills. Or, even if you wanted to step up from there, the PsyD/PhD differences. They had the data to run these analyses, but chose not to, likely because it did not fit their narrative. You'd really have to control for program quality, such as seeing how pass rates within programs did when you looked at demographic differences. But, this was not done, and we probably know why.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

…What is this in reference to? lol? Could you share more?

As to the broader OP, thank goodness I will never be anywhere near TX. Seems like a **** show. I do wish ASPBB would directly address the issue of racial disparities across EPPP scores… which I think is what prompted this effort across several states.

They need to simultaneously tackle the (very serious) issues of diploma mill grads w/o competencies or actual evidence-based training joining the field… It’s all such a circus. Created by the larger incompetence/negligence of the APA.

Military Veterans Certification Pathway

Governor Ron DeSantis Highlights Teacher Recruitment Initiatives and Education Rule Changes that Allow Florida Veterans to Receive College Credit for Military Courses | Executive Office of the Governor

Because apparently, serving in the military inherently prepares you to teach children.

 

[Shiori]

I can see the problems they're trying to solve, but fail to see how creating their own test would solve any of those problems.