Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-3 — The Examination Process

750 Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-3-.01 Written Examination

(1) The written examination includes the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. This examination is intended to provide one measure of professional competence in psychology of a candidate. The examination provides an index of the candidate's knowledge by measuring the major fields of psychology at a level that all candidates, regardless of their specialties, might be expected to reach. This examination is intended to assist the Board in its function of protecting the public by identifying the minimum level of competency for professional practice. Thus, instead of being designed to identify the most competent members of the profession, the examination has the purpose of protecting the public by identifying those individuals unqualified for the professional practice of psychology.

(a) The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology determines a pass or fail for each candidate based upon the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards recommended passing score for psychologists.

(b) The passing score for psychological technicians shall be based upon the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards scaled score of 400 for computer-based administrations or 60% of the items correct for paper and pencil administrations.

(2) Once admitted to the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a candidate must take the exam within one year of the Board's letter of admission to the exam. After the year has elapsed, a new licensure application is required. After two failures of the EPPP, a new licensure application is required. Candidates must pay an examination fee sufficient to cover the entire actual costs of the examination.

(3) The Professional Standards Examination. In addition to the EPPP the Board will administer the Professional Standards Examination (PSE) which will cover knowledge of the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and the Alabama Psychology law. A minimum score of 80% is considered a passing grade on this exam. Failure of this portion of the exam procedure does not necessitate retaking the EPPP; however, this exam must be passed before a license will be granted (See 750-X-2-.08(2) for exception). Once admitted to the PSE, the candidate must take the exam within one year of the date of the Board's letter of admission to the exam. Candidates must pay an examination fee sufficient to cover the entire actual costs of the examination before taking the PSE.

(4) At its discretion the board may at any time waive the assembled examination and grant the appropriate license upon payment of the required fee to any person who meets the requirements of section 750-X-2-.01 and .04 and who is qualified by educational and professional attainments to the satisfaction of the board if it deems such action to be in the public interest. The Board may also at its discretion grant a certificate without an assembled examination to any person residing or employed in the state who at the time of the application is licensed or certified by a similar board of another state whose standards, in the opinion of the board, are not lower than those required by this chapter, or who has been practicing psychology in another state and has qualifications not lower than those required by 750-X-2.01 and .04, and is able to satisfy the board that to grant him/her a license would be in the public interest, or who has been certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology.

History

• Author: Blaine C. Crum
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed July 16, 1985; November 5, 1987; April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed August 4, 1993; effective September 8, 1993. Amended: Filed September 21, 1994; effective October 26, 1994. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed July 17, 1998; effective August 21, 1998. Amended: Filed November 15, 2000; effective December 20, 2000. Amended: Filed September 17, 2002; effective October 22, 2002. Amended: Filed May 15, 2013; effective June 19, 2013. Amended: Filed September 19, 2016; effective November 3, 2016.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-3-.02 Denial Of Application

If the applicant is denied admission to the examination and believes, based on pertinent sections of the Board's rules and regulations, that he/she qualifies for admission, he/she may apply to the Board for reconsideration. The appeal process will be as specified in those sections of the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act on contested cases.

History

• Author: Blaine C. Crum
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990.
• Editor's note: This rule was previously rule 750-X-3-.03. Previous Rule 750-X-3-.02 "Additional Examination(s) of Applicants" deleted (April 5, 1990 amendment).

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-3-.03 Reexamination

After six months any candidate who fails the EPPP or the PSE has the option of taking it a second time. For the EPPP, or the PSE, candidates must pay an examination fee sufficient to cover the entire actual costs of the examination. If reexamination is accomplished within one year, no new licensure application or licensure application fee is required. A candidate taking the examination a second time will receive a different form of the exam. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the candidate to request reexamination.

History

• Author: Blaine C. Crum
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed August 4, 1993; effective September 8, 1993. Amended: Filed July 17, 1998; effective August 21, 1998. Amended: Filed November 15, 2000; effective December 20, 2000. Amended: Filed May 15 2013; effective June 19, 2013. Amended: Filed July 11, 2016; effective August 25, 2016.
• Editor's note: Previously Rule No. 750-X-3-.04.