Examination Information

Please select a topic below to view more information about the Examination process and requirements.

• Clinical Psychologist Examination - FAQs

  • What examination is required for a Licensed Clinical Psychologist?

    For initial licensure, all applicants are required to sit and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Part 1-Knowledge (EPPP Part 1-Knowledge) administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPBs) via the examination vendor, Pearson Vue.

    Effective January 1, 2026, applicants for licensure will be required to take both the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam and the EPPP Part 2-Skills exam.

    Please review the ASPPB EPPP Candidate Handbook before registering for the exam.

  • How often can I take the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    You may only take the exam 4 times in any 12-month period.

    If you failed the EPPP examination, you must re-register with ASPPB to retake the exam. To re-register, you must log into Certemy.com and submit a request for examination retake. Your request will then be sent to the Board for review. If the Board approves you to retake the examination, you will receive an email confirmation from Certemy informing you that you have been approved to retake the examination and that a new examination workflow has been assigned to you.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of requesting to retake the exam.

  • When am I able to sit for the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    Please review the Clinical Psychologist Licensure Process Handbook for detailed information on the entire licensure process, including eligibility for examination. 

    You are eligible to sit for the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam after you have:

    1. Completed education requirements and practicum/supervision experience,
    2. Submitted the Licensure for Clinical Psychologist by Examination application and supporting documents to the Board, and
    3. The Board has reviewed and approved eligibility to take the exam.

    Once the Board has approved your eligibility to take the exam, the Board will create an account within the ASPPB’s EPPP registration portal. The registration portal is hosted by Certemy. You will receive an automated email from Certemy.com which will include a link and instructions to login to the registration portal.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of registering and scheduling your exam as a new exam candidate or as an existing exam candidate.

  • How long do I have to take and pass the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    The EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam must be passed within 2 years from the date of the approval to sit for the examination.  If extenuating circumstances exist, a candidate may request an extension to the 2-year time limit.

  • Do I need to be in a Board approved residency if I fulfilled the 1,500-residency hour requirement as part of my doctoral practicum?

    If you wish to provide Clinical Psychology services while you are taking the exam, yes, you must be in an approved residency even if you completed the required supervised experience hours for licensure.  Virginia law state that a person who has neither passed the examination nor been issued a license as a Clinical Psychologist, even if they have completed the necessary number of supervised practicum or residency hours, must not engage in the provision of Clinical Psychology services, except as a Board approved “Resident in Clinical Psychology.

  • How do I register for the exam?

    Once the Board has approved your eligibility to take the exam, the Board will create an account within the ASPPB EPPP registration portal. The registration portal is hosted by Certemy. You will receive an automated email from Certemy.com including a link and instructions to login to the registration portal.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of registering and scheduling your exam as a new exam candidate or as an existing exam candidate. 

    The current EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam fee is $600.  if you need assistance in the exam registration process, please contact Certemy at support@certemy.com or visit their ASPPB Exam Candidate Information Page.

  • I passed the exam. What happens next?

    Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Psychology within approximately 1 week from your exam date.  You will be licensed as soon as possible following the receipt of your passing score.  You will receive an email from the Board once you are licensed.  Board staff will also mail your paper license and wall certificate to you within 30 days to the address on record with the Board.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for Accessing Your EPPP Exam Score.

  • I failed the exam. What do I do to reapply?

    If you failed the EPPP examination, you must re-register with ASPPB to retake the exam. To re-register, you must log into Certemy.com and submit a request for examination retake. Your request will then be sent to the Board for review. If the Board approves you to retake the examination, you will receive an email confirmation from Certemy informing you that you have been approved to retake the examination and that the new examination workflow has been assigned to you.   

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of requesting to retake the exam.

  • What is my university’s passing rate for the EPPP?

    The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) provides a Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program report.

    This report includes data on first‐time takers who took the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP (Part 1‐Knowledge)) during the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2022. The doctoral programs presented in the report are based on the 2022 American and Canadian Psychological Association accredited doctoral programs. Given that the COVID‐ 19 pandemic may have influenced doctoral training and student learning, the EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) performance results for all accredited programs are reported separately for 2017 through 2019, then 2020 through 2022.

    Please note that care should be exercised if comparisons across schools and programs are made. If performance on the EPPP (Part 1‐Knowledge) is seen as an outcome measure of those objectives, it should be viewed as only one such measure.

  • How do I request accommodation?

    If you have a documented disability or impairment and wish to be tested under nonstandard conditions, you must mark the “Special Accommodations” box during the EPPP exam registration process. Accommodation requests cannot be added after an exam has been scheduled. After you have marked the “Special Accommodations” box during your exam registration, you will be notified that your accommodation request is under review. After you receive the email notification, you must email the Virginia Board of Psychology at psy@dhp.virginia.gov and provide documentation to support your accommodation request. The documentation must:

    • be provided by a qualified professional, who has made an individualized assessment of the candidate, is familiar with the current impact of the disability on the candidate’s ability to take the examination, and must include the following information:
    • The examinee’s full name and date of birth.
    • The specific, diagnosed disability and impairment.
    • The specific accommodation(s) requested related to the disability.
    • The substantial limitations of the examinee, e.g., adverse effects on major life activities, resulting from the impairment, as supported by test results or examination.
    • The tests or methods used to diagnose the disability.
    • Why the recommended accommodation(s) is needed, including information explaining how the accommodation(s) addresses the substantial limitation.
    • Whether the disability was diagnosed or reconfirmed within five (5) years preceding the date of the request.
    • The relevant credentials of the qualified professional, including his/her licensure or certification, education, and area(s) of practice or specialization related to the disability.

    After the Board reviews your documentation and approves your request for accommodation, you will receive an email notification from Certemy that your accommodation request has been approved and instructions to continue with scheduling the examination.

• Applied Psychologist Examination - FAQs

  • What examination is required for a Licensed Applied Psychologist?

    For initial licensure, all applicants are required to sit and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Part 1-Knowledge (EPPP Part 1-Knowledge) administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPBs) via the examination vendor, Pearson Vue. Effective January 1, 2026, applicants for licensure will be required to take both the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam and the EPPP Part 2-Skills exam.

    Please review the ASPPB EPPP Candidate Handbook before registering for the exam.

  • How often can I take the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    You may only take the exam 4 times in any 12-month period.

    If you failed the EPPP examination, you must re-register with ASPPB to retake the exam. To re-register, you must log into Certemy.com and submit a request for examination retake. Your request will then be sent to the Board for review. If the Board approves you to retake the examination, you will receive an email confirmation from Certemy informing you that you have been approved to retake the examination and that new examination workflow has been assigned to you.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of requesting to retake the exam.

  • When am I able to sit for the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    Please review the Applied Psychologist Licensure Process Handbook for detailed information on the entire licensure process, including eligibility for examination. 

    You are eligible to sit for the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam after you have:

    1. Completed your education requirements,
    2. Submitted the Licensure for Applied Psychologist by Examination application and supporting documents to the Board, and
    3. The Board has reviewed and approved eligibility to take the exam.

    Once the Board has approved your eligibility to take the exam, the Board will create an account within the ASPPB’s EPPP registration portal. The registration portal is hosted by Certemy. You will receive an automated email from Certemy.com which will include a link and instructions to login to the registration portal.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of registering and scheduling your exam as a new exam candidate or as an existing exam candidate.

  • How long do I have to take and pass the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    The EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam must be passed within 2 years from the date of the approval to sit for the examination.  If extenuating circumstances exist, a candidate may request an extension to the 2-year time limit.

  • Do I need to complete a residency before I can take the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam?

    No.  There is no residency requirement for licensure as an Applied Psychologist in Virginia.

  • How do I register for the exam?

    Once the Board has approved your eligibility to take the exam, the Board will create an account within the ASPPB EPPP registration portal. The registration portal is hosted by Certemy. You will receive an automated email from Certemy.com including a link and instructions to login to the registration portal.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of registering and scheduling your exam as a new exam candidate or as an existing exam candidate. 

    The current EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam fee is $600. If you need assistance in the exam registration process, please contact Certemy at support@certemy.com or visit their ASPPB Exam Candidate Information Page.

  • I passed the exam. What happens next?

    Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Psychology within approximately 1 week from your exam date.  You will be licensed as soon as possible following the receipt of your passing score.  You will receive an email from the Board once you are licensed.  Board staff will also mail your paper license and wall certificate to you within 30 days to the address on record with the Board.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for Accessing Your EPPP Exam Score.

  • I failed the exam. What do I do to reapply?

    If you failed the EPPP examination, you must re-register with ASPPB to retake the exam. To re-register, you must log into Certemy.com and submit a request for examination retake. Your request will then be sent to the Board for review. If the Board approves you to retake the examination, you will receive an email confirmation from Certemy informing you that you have been approved to retake the examination and that the new examination workflow has been assigned to you.   

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of requesting to retake the exam.

  • What is my university’s passing rate for the EPPP?

    The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) provides a Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program report.

    This report includes data on first‐time takers who took the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP (Part 1‐Knowledge)) during the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2022. The doctoral programs presented in the report are based on the 2022 American and Canadian Psychological Association accredited doctoral programs. Given that the COVID‐19 pandemic may have influenced doctoral training and student learning, the EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) performance results for all accredited programs are reported separately for 2017 through 2019, then 2020 through 2022.

    Please note that care should be exercised if comparisons across schools and programs are made. If performance on the EPPP (Part 1‐Knowledge) is seen as an outcome measure of those objectives, it should be viewed as only one such measure.

  • How do I request accommodation?

    If you have a documented disability or impairment and wish to be tested under nonstandard conditions, you must mark the “Special Accommodations” box during the EPPP exam registration process. Accommodation requests cannot be added after an exam has been scheduled. After you have marked the “Special Accommodations” box during your exam registration, you will be notified that your accommodation request is under review. After you receive the email notification, you must email the Virginia Board of Psychology at psy@dhp.virginia.gov and provide documentation to support your accommodation request. The documentation must:

    • be provided by a qualified professional, who has made an individualized assessment of the candidate, is familiar with the current impact of the disability on the candidate’s ability to take the examination, and must include the following information:
    • The examinee’s full name and date of birth.
    • The specific, diagnosed disability and impairment.
    • The specific accommodation(s) requested related to the disability.
    • The substantial limitations of the examinee, e.g., adverse effects on major life activities, resulting from the impairment, as supported by test results or examination.
    • The tests or methods used to diagnose the disability.
    • Why the recommended accommodation(s) is needed, including information explaining how the accommodation(s) addresses the substantial limitation.
    • Whether the disability was diagnosed or reconfirmed within five (5) years preceding the date of the request.
    • The relevant credentials of the qualified professional, including his/her licensure or certification, education, and area(s) of practice or specialization related to the disability.

    After the Board reviews your documentation and approves your request for accommodation, you will receive an email notification from Certemy that your accommodation request has been approved and instructions to continue with scheduling the examination.

• School Psychologist Examination - FAQs

  • What examination is required for a Licensed School Psychologist?

    For initial licensure, all applicants are required to sit and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Part 1-Knowledge (EPPP Part 1-Knowledge) administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPBs) via the examination vendor, Pearson Vue. Effective January 1, 2026, applicants for licensure will be required to take both the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam and the EPPP Part 2-Skills exam.

    Please review the ASPPB EPPP Candidate Handbook before registering for the exam.

  • Is there an examination requirement to become a Licensed School Psychologist-Limited?

    No.  There is no examination requirement to receive a School Psychologist-Limited license in Virginia.  Please see the School Psychologist & School Psychologist-Limited Licensure Process Handbook for more information on the licensure process.

  • How often can I take the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    You may only take the exam 4 times in any 12-month period.

    If you failed the EPPP examination, you must re-register with ASPPB to retake the exam. To re-register, you must log into Certemy.com and submit a request for examination retake. Your request will then be sent to the Board for review. If the Board approves you to retake the examination, you will receive an email confirmation from Certemy informing you that you have been approved to retake the examination and that a new examination workflow has been assigned to you.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of requesting to retake the exam.

  • When am I able to sit for the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    Please review the School Psychologist & School Psychologist-Limited Licensure Process Handbook for detailed information on the entire licensure process, including eligibility for examination. 

    You are eligible to sit for the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam after you have:

    1. completed education and supervision experience,
    2. submitted the Licensure for School Psychologist by examination application and supporting documents to the Board, and
    3. the Board has reviewed and approved eligibility to take the exam.

    Once the Board has approved your eligibility to take the exam, the Board will create an account within the ASPPB’s EPPP registration portal. The registration portal is hosted by Certemy. You will receive an automated email from Certemy.com which will include a link and instructions to login to the registration portal.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of registering and scheduling your exam as a new exam candidate or as an existing exam candidate.

  • How long do I have to take and pass the EPPP Part 1-Knowledge Exam?

    The EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam must be passed within 2 years from the date of the approval to sit for the examination.  If extenuating circumstances exist, a candidate may request an extension to the 2-year time limit.

  • Do I need to be in a Board approved residency if I fulfilled the 1,500-residency hour requirement as part of my doctoral practicum?

    If you wish to provide School Psychology services while you are taking the exam, yes, you must be in an approved residency even if you completed the required supervised experience hours for licensure.  Virginia law states that a person who has neither passed the examination nor been issued a license as a School Psychologist, even if they have completed the necessary number of residency hours, must not engage in the provision of School Psychology services, except as a Board approved “Resident in School Psychology.

  • How do I register for the exam?

    Once the Board has approved your eligibility to take the exam, the Board will create an account within the ASPPB EPPP registration portal. The registration portal is hosted by Certemy. You will receive an automated email from Certemy.com including a link and instructions to login to the registration portal.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of registering and scheduling your exam as a new exam candidate or as an existing exam candidate. 

    The current EPPP Part 1-Knowledge exam fee is $600. If you need assistance in the exam registration process, please contact Certemy at support@certemy.com or visit their ASPPB Exam Candidate Information Page.

  • I passed the exam. What happens next?

    Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Psychology within approximately 1 week from your exam date.  You will be licensed as soon as possible following the receipt of your passing score.  You will receive an email from the Board once you are licensed.  Board staff will also mail your paper license and wall certificate to you within 30 days to the address on record with the Board.

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for Accessing Your EPPP Exam Score.

  • I failed the exam. What do I do to reapply?

    If you failed the EPPP examination, you must re-register with ASPPB to retake the exam. To re-register, you must log into Certemy.com and submit a request for examination retake. Your request will then be sent to the Board for review. If the Board approves you to retake the examination, you will receive an email confirmation from Certemy informing you that you have been approved to retake the examination and that a new examination workflow has been assigned to you.   

    Please visit the Certemy Candidate Information Page and view the video for the process of requesting to retake the exam.

  • What is my university’s passing rate for the EPPP?

    The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) provides a Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program report.

    This report includes data on first‐time takers who took the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP (Part 1‐Knowledge)) during the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2022. The doctoral programs presented in the report are based on the 2022 American and Canadian Psychological Association accredited doctoral programs. Given that the COVID‐ 19 pandemic may have influenced doctoral training and student learning, the EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge) performance results for all accredited programs are reported separately for 2017 through 2019, then 2020 through 2022.

    Please note that care should be exercised if comparisons across schools and programs are made. If performance on the EPPP (Part 1‐Knowledge) is seen as an outcome measure of those objectives, it should be viewed as only one such measure.

  • How do I request accommodation?

    If you have a documented disability or impairment and wish to be tested under nonstandard conditions, you must mark the “Special Accommodations” box during the EPPP exam registration process. Accommodation requests cannot be added after an exam has been scheduled. After you have marked the “Special Accommodations” box during your exam registration, you will be notified that your accommodation request is under review. After you receive the email notification, you must email the Virginia Board of Psychology at psy@dhp.virginia.gov and provide documentation to support your accommodation request. The documentation must:

    • be provided by a qualified professional, who has made an individualized assessment of the candidate, is familiar with the current impact of the disability on the candidate’s ability to take the examination, and must include the following information:
    • The examinee’s full name and date of birth.
    • The specific, diagnosed disability and impairment.
    • The specific accommodation(s) requested related to the disability.
    • The substantial limitations of the examinee, e.g., adverse effects on major life activities, resulting from the impairment, as supported by test results or examination.
    • The tests or methods used to diagnose the disability.
    • Why the recommended accommodation(s) is needed, including information explaining how the accommodation(s) addresses the substantial limitation.
    • Whether the disability was diagnosed or reconfirmed within five (5) years preceding the date of the request.
    • The relevant credentials of the qualified professional, including his/her licensure or certification, education, and area(s) of practice or specialization related to the disability.

    After the Board reviews your documentation and approves your request for accommodation, you will receive an email notification from Certemy that your accommodation request has been approved and instructions to continue with scheduling the examination.

• SOTP Applicants

  • Is there an examination requirement to become a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider?

    No. There is no examination requirement to become a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider. Please see the Sex Offender Treatment Provider Certification Process Handbook for more information on the certification process.