Introduction

Scheduling your EPPP is one of the biggest milestones in your psychology licensure journey. It’s the moment everything becomes real—your application is approved, your study plan is officially underway, and your exam date is locked in.

But the scheduling process can feel confusing if you've never gone through it before. You may be asking:

• “How do I schedule the EPPP?”
  
• “When am I allowed to take it?”
  
• “Where are test centers located?”
  
• “How far in advance should I schedule?”
  
• “What if I need to reschedule?”
  

This guide breaks down everything you need to know—step by step—so you can schedule your EPPP with confidence, choose the best test center, and plan your study timeline effectively. When you know the process, it becomes simple, stress-free, and totally manageable.

Let’s help you get your exam day officially set.

👉 Check out our EPPP Practice Questions + EPPP Study Guide — updated for 2025, featuring exam-style practice aligned with the EPPP blueprint, plus specialized coverage of assessment, intervention, ethics, and core psychological foundations.

1. You Can’t Schedule the EPPP Until You’re Authorized

This is the most important rule:
You cannot schedule the EPPP until your state or provincial psychology board authorizes you to test.

The EPPP scheduling process begins only after:

• You apply to your board
  
• Your board reviews your application
  
• Your board confirms your eligibility
  
• ASPPB receives your approval
  
• ASPPB sends you your Authorization to Test (ATT)
  

Only after this will you be able to schedule your exam.

Why This Matters

Many candidates make the mistake of “preparing to schedule” before they are officially authorized. The timeline depends entirely on your board’s processing speed—not your timeline or intention.

2. The Full Scheduling Process: Step-by-Step

Once you receive your official Authorization to Test, here’s exactly what you do:

Step 1: Receive Your ATT Email From ASPPB

This email contains:

• Your authorization number
  
• Instructions to create or access your ASPPB account
  
• A link to log in
  
• Your testing window (how long you have to schedule)
  
• Next-step instructions
  

Your testing window may vary by jurisdiction. Some boards give 90 days. Others give 6–12 months. Make sure you know your window, or you risk losing authorization.

Step 2: Pay the EPPP Exam Fee ($600)

Inside your ASPPB Portal, you’ll pay the $600 EPPP fee.
Once payment is processed, ASPPB releases your information to Pearson VUE.

This step confirms two things:

• You are authorized
  
• You are officially ready to schedule
  

Step 3: Log in to the Pearson VUE Portal

Pearson VUE is the official testing provider for the EPPP.

Once your details transfer from ASPPB to Pearson, you’ll receive a second email:

• Confirming eligibility
  
• Giving you access to the EPPP scheduling system
  

Now you can choose your:

• Test center
  
• Exam date
  
• Exam time
  

Step 4: Pay the Pearson VUE Administration Fee ($79.56)

Pearson collects a separate fee for:

• Your seat
  
• Proctoring
  
• Secure testing environment
  
• System use
  
• Identity verification
  

This fee is required for every attempt.

Step 5: Choose Your Test Date and Location

Inside the scheduling system, you’ll see:

• A list of nearby test centers
  
• Available dates
  
• Available time slots
  
• Testing windows (morning/afternoon/evening depending on the center)
  

Test centers fill up quickly, especially in urban areas or during academic cycle months (April–June and September–December).

If you want your ideal testing date, schedule early.

3. When Can You Take the EPPP?

This depends entirely on your jurisdiction’s rules, not ASPPB’s rules. Every board decides when candidates are eligible.

Here are the most common pathways:

Pathway 1: After PhD/PsyD Program

Some boards require:

• Completed doctoral degree
  
• Completed internship
  
• Completed supervised hours
  

This is the strictest and most traditional pathway.

Pathway 2: After Internship (Most Common)

Many boards allow candidates to take the EPPP:

• After completing their APA-accredited internship
  
• Before completing postdoc hours
  

This speeds up licensure timelines.

Pathway 3: During Graduate School (Early-Entry Jurisdictions)

Some states allow you to take EPPP Part 1 while still enrolled in your doctoral program.

Benefits include:

• You finish the exam before internship
  
• You reduce licensing delays post-graduation
  
• Your knowledge is fresher
  

Not every state offers early-entry, however.

Pathway 4: After Postdoctoral Hours

Some states require BOTH:

• Internship completion
  
• Supervised postdoctoral experience
  

Only then can you test.

Pathway 5: After Board Approval of Credentials

Boards may require:

• Education review
  
• Internship approval
  
• Documentation verification
  
• Background check clearance
  

Most boards won’t authorize testing until all paperwork is complete.

Key Point: You Can Only Test When Your Board Allows It

ASPPB will NEVER override a board.
Your board always makes the final call.

4. Where Are EPPP Test Centers Located?

The EPPP is administered at Pearson VUE Professional Testing Centers, which are located across:

• All 50 U.S. states
  
• All major Canadian provinces
  
• Selected international locations
  

Types of Pearson VUE Centers

• Professional Centers (most common)
  
• University Testing Centers (smaller capacity)
  
• Authorized Third-Party Sites (rare)
  

Availability by Geography

• Urban areas often have multiple centers
  
• Rural areas may require 1–2 hours of travel
  
• Some small states share testing centers with nearby states
  
• Canadian provinces often have 1–3 centers total
  

If you want your ideal location, book early.

5. What Test Center Should You Choose?

Choosing the right test center can affect your performance more than you think.

Here’s what to consider:

1. Distance From Home

Avoid cutting it close. Choose a center that offers:

• Predictable travel
  
• Easy arrival
  
• Minimal stress
  

If you must travel far, consider staying nearby the night before.

2. Parking and Transportation

Some test centers:

• Charge for parking
  
• Have limited nearby garages
  
• Require public transit
  
• Are located inside office complexes
  
• Have tricky entrances
  

Check logistics early so you’re not panicking on test day.

3. Noise Level

Every center is different. Some are extremely quiet. Others have busier environments. Pearson provides:

• Headphones
  
• Noise-reducing options
  
• White noise (depending on location)
  

If you’re sensitive to noise, read online reviews of your test center.

4. Facility Quality

You may want to choose a center that:

• Has good reviews
  
• Has reliable computers
  
• Has comfortable seating
  
• Isn’t overcrowded
  

A comfortable environment helps reduce anxiety.

5. Appointment Availability

Some centers book out months in advance—especially in large cities.

If you need:

• A specific week
  
• A specific day
  
• A specific time (e.g., morning only)
  

Schedule early to secure it.

6. How Far in Advance Should You Schedule Your EPPP?

Here are the recommended guidelines:

Ideal Scheduling Window:

6–8 weeks before your target exam date

This gives you:

• More date/time options
  
• A predictable study timeline
  
• Less risk of schedule conflicts
  

Minimum Scheduling Window:

2–3 weeks before your target date

This is riskier because:

• Fewer seats are available
  
• You may be forced to choose early mornings or late afternoons
  
• Travel distance may increase
  
• Available dates may not match your study plan
  

Best Approach

Schedule your test as soon as you receive authorization, but choose a date far enough out to prepare effectively.

7. Can You Reschedule Your EPPP? Yes — With Rules.

Life happens. Plans change.
Yes, you can reschedule your EPPP appointment through Pearson VUE.

Rescheduling Rules

• Must reschedule at least 24 hours before your exam
  
• No rescheduling allowed within 24 hours
  
• Pearson VUE may charge a fee for late rescheduling
  
• You must stay within your testing window
  

Reasons You May Want to Reschedule

• You’re not scoring well on practice tests
  
• Work or family obligations interfere
  
• You’re feeling overwhelmed
  
• You want a morning appointment instead of afternoon
  
• You want a quieter or closer test center
  

Rescheduling is common—and often a smart decision.

8. What You Need to Bring on Test Day

Pearson VUE has strict security rules. Bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (with exact matching name)
  
• Confirmation email (optional but helpful)
  
• Comfortable clothing
  
• Optional: foam earplugs if allowed by the center
  

You cannot bring:

• Cell phones
  
• Smartwatches
  
• Notes
  
• Bags/purses
  
• Food or drink (unless medically approved)
  
• Calculators
  
• Headphones
  
• Outerwear
  

Everything goes into a locker before you enter the testing room.

9. What the Test Center Experience Looks Like

Knowing what to expect helps reduce anxiety.

Check-In Process

• Sign-in
  
• ID verification
  
• Palm vein scan or photo
  
• Locker assignment
  
• Security screening
  
• Proctor escorts you to your desk
  

During the Exam

• 225 questions
  
• 4 hours and 15 minutes
  
• No scheduled breaks
  
• You may take unscheduled breaks
  
• Time keeps running during breaks
  

After the Exam

• Some centers give printed results immediately
  
• Others send results electronically
  
• Results are sent to your board instantly
  

 

10. Should You Choose a Morning or Afternoon Exam?

This depends on your personal rhythm.

Morning Exam Pros

• You’re fresher
  
• Less anxiety buildup
  
• Your mind is sharp earlier in the day
  
• Less waiting around
  
• Higher focus for many candidates
  

Afternoon Exam Pros

• More time to rest in the morning
  
• More time to wake up fully
  
• Extra review time before the test
  
• Better for night owls
  

What Most Candidates Choose

Most people choose morning exams, but choose the time that works best for your energy cycle.

👉 Check out our EPPP Practice Questions + EPPP Study Guide — updated for 2025, featuring exam-style practice aligned with the EPPP blueprint, plus specialized coverage of assessment, intervention, ethics, and core psychological foundations.

Final Thoughts

Scheduling your EPPP doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Once you understand the process, it becomes simple and predictable. You now know exactly:

• How to schedule the exam
  
• When you’re allowed to test
  
• What steps to follow
  
• How far in advance to book
  
• Where to test
  
• How to choose the best center
  
• What to expect on test day
  

This clarity helps you plan, study effectively, and approach exam day with confidence.

You’ve done the hard work to reach this point. Your exam day is simply the next step—and you are more prepared than you think. Stay steady, trust your preparation, and keep moving forward.

You’ve got this.