Licensing Timeline

[erg923]

For the states that do NOT require post-doc hours for licensure (there are 11 of them now), what exactly is the timeline for licensure?

1. Could one be fully licensed within literally weeks of completing the internship year?

2. When does one take the EPPP? The EPPP has to be passed before any paperwork (or test) for the state licensed is submitted, right? Can you take the EPPP during the internship year sometime, or does it have to be taken AFTER the completion date of your predoc internship?

3. Do all states have their own written test as well?

4. I assume that if one is hired into a job while still on the tail-end of the predoc year, a person at that facility simply has to sign off on your work/notes until you get the state license? However, I assume they wouldnt agree to hire you if you hadnt already passed the EPPP though, right?

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[Student4Life0]

For the states that do NOT require post-doc hours for licensure (there are 11 of them now), what exactly is the timeline for licensure?

1. Could one be fully licensed within literally weeks of completing the internship year?

2. When does one take the EPPP? The EPPP has to be passed before any paperwork (or test) for the state licensed is submitted, right? Can you take the EPPP during the internship year sometime, or does it have to be taken AFTER the completion date of your predoc internship?

3. Do all states have their own written test as well?

4. I assume that if one is hired into a job while still on the tail-end of the predoc year, a person at that facility simply has to sign off on your work/notes until you get the state license? However, I assume they wouldnt agree to hire you if you hadnt already passed the EPPP though, right?

Where is the information regarding which states do not require post doc hours?

 

[erg923]

Where is the information regarding which states do not require post doc hours?

I dont know if there is one information document with that list, but I know the states off hand since there are only 11 of them. AL, AZ, CT, IN, KY, MD, ND, OH, UT, WA, WY.

 

[LM02]

I don't really know how this works, as I'm already licensed and completed a formal postdoc several years ago (so, in other words, it's moot for me). But generally, you have to submit your initial application for licensure to the state, at which point they will review it and grant you "permission to take the test" (yes, this is an official thing).

Once permission has been granted, you have a certain number of days to sit for the exam.

States vary in terms of when and under what circumstances they will allow you permission to take the test, and that was the case even when every state had a postdoctoral requirement. So in a nutshell, you have to go straight to that state's licensing board and sort it out! Nothing in the process is consistent, unfortunately. Even down to the fact that some will have a jurisprudence exam, others don't, some may still have orals, etc. It's frustrating!

 

[psydtobe]

Not sure of the answer. I know CT doesnt require a postdoctoral year, but it may be hard to escape it. They allow predoc experience but you can't count your your internship, as it is a requirement of your program. Unless someone is able to pull out 35/hrs per week consecutively of work while gaining their degree...it may be difficult (in my opinion). If you meet those requirements you just have to take a state exam upon graduation. I am dreading those 25 questions!!

 

[erg923]

I don't really know how this works, as I'm already licensed and completed a formal postdoc several years ago (so, in other words, it's moot for me). But generally, you have to submit your initial application for licensure to the state, at which point they will review it and grant you "permission to take the test" (yes, this is an official thing).

Once permission has been granted, you have a certain number of days to sit for the exam.

States vary in terms of when and under what circumstances they will allow you permission to take the test, and that was the case even when every state had a postdoctoral requirement. So in a nutshell, you have to go straight to that state's licensing board and sort it out! Nothing in the process is consistent, unfortunately. Even down to the fact that some will have a jurisprudence exam, others don't, some may still have orals, etc. It's frustrating!

Are you talking about permission to take the EPPP or their state exam(s)?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Are you talking about permission to take the EPPP or their state exam(s)?

I believe it may be with respect to the state exam. I checked Georgia's requirements earlier today for example, and while the EPPP score is good indefinitely, I believe they only give you around two weeks from when you complete your post-doctoral supervision hours to sit for either the oral or written exam. And I'm fairly certain they required a passing EPPP score to register for the oral and written state exams.

 

[LM02]

Are you talking about permission to take the EPPP or their state exam(s)?

Nope, the EPPP itself. You can't just sign up directly for it. The state licensing boards essentially serve as gatekeepers for the process. So you put together your preliminary licensing materials, send them in, the Board reviews your app, and then determines if you are qualified to take the test. They will notify you of this decision, and then they forward their "permission" to the company that administers the test nationally. You then wait for them to mail you the special instructions re: how to sign up for the test. At which point, there is a specific window of time in which you must sit for it (90 days?).

Beware: the whole endeavor is quite pricey! Because you're not only paying for the test, but you're also paying your application fee to the state board, and then there's some additional administrative fee to cover the cost for the test center. So even if you want to do this on internship, you may not be able to afford to do so!

 

[LM02]

I believe it may be with respect to the state exam. I checked Georgia's requirements earlier today for example, and while the EPPP score is good indefinitely, I believe they only give you around two weeks from when you complete your post-doctoral supervision hours to sit for either the oral or written exam. And I'm fairly certain they required a passing EPPP score to register for the oral and written state exams.

This is a separate issue. In order to take the EPPP, you will need a state to give you the green light. So although the EPPP score is good indefinitely, you have to go through the proper channels to get the score in the first place.

Once the state approves you to take the EPPP, there *is* a specific window in which you must take it. I don't remember the exact time frame, but it's not short like 2 weeks. Maybe it's something like 90 days? The details are a bit foggy in my old age. 😉

 

[LM02]

Here's some useful info cut and pasted from some otherwise random, alarmist blog:

EPPP Registration
Taking the EPPP exam is expensive. The current administrative charge from the Prometric Testing Center to sit for the EPPP is $68. The charge from ASPPB for taking the EPPP exam is $450.

Before you can register to sit for the EPPP you must receive a Permission to Test letter from your state psychology board. State psychology boards charge you licensing and administration fees ranging from several hundred to over a thousand dollars as part of the process of obtaining permission to sit for the EPPP exam.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

This is a separate issue. In order to take the EPPP, you will need a state to give you the green light. So although the EPPP score is good indefinitely, you have to go through the proper channels to get the score in the first place.

Once the state approves you to take the EPPP, there *is* a specific window in which you must take it. I don't remember the exact time frame, but it's not short like 2 weeks. Maybe it's something like 90 days? The details are a bit foggy in my old age. 😉

Yeah, I just double-checked, and the two-week window in GA is for when you are allowed to take the oral exam: must be within two weeks of passing the EPPP, passing the state's multiple-choice jurisprudence exam, and completing your supervised post-doctoral hours (I'm guessing it's after whichever is the latest of the three).

Also, found this on their site for anyone interested: 2010 EPPP pass rates by doctoral program here

 

[blindchaos]

2. When does one take the EPPP? The EPPP has to be passed before any paperwork (or test) for the state licensed is submitted, right? Can you take the EPPP during the internship year sometime, or does it have to be taken AFTER the completion date of your predoc internship?

I'm wondering the same thing about when the EPPP is taken... The people I know of who have taken it recently are in the midst of their first postdoc/fellowship year. However, one of my supervisors (who is licensed @ the doctoral level) encouraged me to take the EPPP *this* summer. But...I'm going to be going on internship this Fall. I can't take the EPPP yet...right? By this summer, I'll be done with all classes (I just have internship credits and dissertation stuff left) and my internship starts late (Sept) so my supervisor told me to get it done with now while I have time. I'm just not sure I'd even be allowed to take it.

Most people I talk to say take it as soon as possible while all the stuff you learned in courses/pracs is still "fresh" (ish) but isn't right now too early? My practicum has EPPP study materials I can check out for free (from 2005 or 2007 I think?).

1 - can I take it this summer?
2 - should I take it this summer?

 

[Doctor Eliza]

I'm wondering the same thing about when the EPPP is taken... The people I know of who have taken it recently are in the midst of their first postdoc/fellowship year. However, one of my supervisors (who is licensed @ the doctoral level) encouraged me to take the EPPP *this* summer. But...I'm going to be going on internship this Fall. I can't take the EPPP yet...right? By this summer, I'll be done with all classes (I just have internship credits and dissertation stuff left) and my internship starts late (Sept) so my supervisor told me to get it done with now while I have time. I'm just not sure I'd even be allowed to take it.

Most people I talk to say take it as soon as possible while all the stuff you learned in courses/pracs is still "fresh" (ish) but isn't right now too early? My practicum has EPPP study materials I can check out for free (from 2005 or 2007 I think?).

1 - can I take it this summer?
2 - should I take it this summer?

It totally depends on the state. My friend from MN took it after her comps while she was still in grad school. Where I live you need to have all your hours done before you can sit for it.

 

[aventurine]

You need to check with your state licensing board. Rules vary by state.

If you can take it and you have time to study, yes, get it over with.

 

[docma]

You can take the EPPP at different times in different states and the score can then be used in the state where you want to be licensed as it is a national exam (accepted cutoff scores may vary). If you have the summer off and your dissertation done, then it might be fine to get it completed--but the paperwork may be daunting and you need to think through how useful it will be to have it done early. Most folks take it during or immediately after the post-doc year. Start with finding out what the rules are in your state and/or state of your internship. The ASPPB site may be useful but you also need to check with specific licensing board sites.

 

[aventurine]

You can take the EPPP at different times in different states and the score can then be used in the state where you want to be licensed as it is a national exam (accepted cutoff scores may vary). If you have the summer off and your dissertation done, then it might be fine to get it completed--but the paperwork may be daunting and you need to think through how useful it will be to have it done early. Most folks take it during or immediately after the post-doc year. Start with finding out what the rules are in your state and/or state of your internship. The ASPPB site may be useful but you also need to check with specific licensing board sites.

Basically, you'd be applying for licensure in another state. In addition to all of the paperwork, you'd have to pay whatever fee to the licensing board.

Unless you have some sort of deadline to pass the test, I wouldn't bother with applying for out-of-state licensure. But if you want to, look into it early because many boards are backed up with applications and it can take up to several months for your application to be reviewed and verified.