Questions and answers about Computer-based administration of the examination for professional

Practice in Psychology (EPPP)

- Information for Jurisdictions -

TIME FRAMES

When will the computerized version of the EPPP first become available for use for licensure purposes?

The computerized version of the examination will be available on or after April 25, 2001.

How many forms of the examination will be available for candidates and how often will they change?

Four different forms of the examination will be available in English. Two bilingual French forms will also be available. All available forms will be on-line continuously. After the first year of testing (April 2001 to April 2002), new forms will be added and older forms will be retired. In April 2002, one new form will be introduced and one existing form will be retired. Every 6 months after that, a new form will be introduced and an older form will be retired. Thus, two new forms of the examination will be introduced every 12 months.

How much time is given for the examination?

Candidates are allowed 4 hours and 15 minutes for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. There are 225 items (questions) on the English version of the examination and 200 items on the French version.

Will a paper-and-pencil version of the examination still be available?

No. Vermont will offer the examination only computer delivered.

How soon will jurisdictions know about scores?

Scores will be reported to jurisdictions on a monthly basis. Scores will not be available at the Prometric Testing Center. Scores will be provided to candidates after they have been reviewed by the Vermont of Psychological Examiners.

How often can the examination be taken?

A candidate may take the examination no more than four times in any 12-month period.

In the event of failure, do candidates need to wait a specified period of time before they can test again?

Yes, candidates must wait for a period of 60 days between administrations. No authorization to schedule testing appointments will be issued by the Professional Examination Service (PES) until 60 days have elapsed since the last testing. It is estimated that much of that time will be taken up by the need to reapply to the licensing authority for each subsequent examination administration.

Where will the examination be available?

At any authorized Prometric Testing Center. These sites are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 pm, 6 days per week. Centers can schedule evening hours during periods of peak demand.

How may examinations be taken?

Candidates must sit for the examination within 60 days of the date on the "authorization-to-test" letter provided by PES. However, they are strongly encouraged to call Prometric to make an appointment as soon as they receive the letter from PES. Testing will be scheduled at the location and on the date and time of the candidates' choosing, if available. If not available, alternate dates, times and/or locations will be offered. If an alternate is requested, candidates have a right to an appointment within 30 days of the date requested, at a location within a 50 mile radius of the location requested. If a candidate wants an appointment within 30 days of the requested date and is unable to obtain one, the candidate may notify PES and the jurisdiction to which application for licensure was made. (The candidate must provide the date and time of the call to Prometric; the name of the person spoken with; and the date, time, and location of the requested appointment.)

Prometric will always endeavor to accommodate candidates' scheduling preferences as closely as possible. However, Prometrics only obligation is to provide a testing time within 30 days of the requested date at any center within 50 miles of the preferred center. A candidate may find it more convenient to wait longer than 30 days if, for example, they want to test only at a certain time and/or only on a certain day of the week (e.g., Saturday at 9:00AM only) or only at a specific testing center.

THE APPLICATION AND SCHEDULING PROCESS

What are the steps for examination via computer?

• The Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners will submit a list of eligible candidate names, addresses and social security numbers to PES.
• Candidates will receive application materials from PES. These materials will include a computer-scannable application for candidates to complete.
• Candidates will return completed application materials, along with payment of examination fees. (If scannable application is incomplete, PES will return it to the candidate for completion).
• PES will serve as an agent by reviewing and approving scannable applications of eligible candidates. Eligibility will be verified by matching applications received to lists provided by the Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners.
• PES will scan the applications and compile daily eligibility lists.
• PES will send an "authorization-to-test" letter to each candidate containing a toll-free number to call to schedule the examination.
• Candidates will call to schedule an examination. Candidates must sit for the examination within 60 days of the date on the "authorization-to-test" letter provided by PES. If they do not sit for the examination within these 60 days, they will be removed from the eligibility list and will be required to begin the steps for examination again.
• Candidates will sit for the examination at their chosen Prometric Testing Center.
• PES will send scores to the jurisdictions or their agent on a monthly basis. No information regarding pass/fail status will be available to candidates at the Prometric Testing Center. Test results will not be given over the phone.
• The Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners or its agent will mail examination results to candidates. Exam results will not be made available over the phone.
• If a candidate fails an examination and wishes to take the examination again, the candidate must reapply to the Vermont Board, following the steps outline above. Candidates must wait at least 60 days before another appointment to test will be scheduled.

Must candidates test in the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure?

No. Candidates may sit for the examination at any of the approximately 300 testing centers in the United States, Unite States territories, and Canada. They are not required to sit for the examination within the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure. The examination is available on in the United States, United States territories, and Canada.

May candidates apply to more than one jurisdiction to take the examination?

No. Candidates may apply to only one jurisdiction to take the examination. Candidates may not apply to more than one jurisdiction at the same time. If a candidate submits application forms for more than one jurisdiction, PES will process only the first application form received and register the candidate to take the examination for licensure in that jurisdiction. Once a candidate is registered in one jurisdiction, application forms and fees submitted for other jurisdictions will be returned, less a $30.00 processing fee.

Candidates who do not pass the examination, may reapply to the same jurisdiction or to a different jurisdiction. However, as before, a candidate may apply to only one jurisdiction for each single opportunity to take the examination.

Candidates who pass the examination may then transfer their scores to additional jurisdictions. Score transfers may be arranged through the score transfer service maintained by ASPPB.

Can candidates reconfirm their appointment before their testing date?

Yes. To reconfirm an appointment, a candidate may call the Prometric 1-800 number. Using the confirmation number provided when the appointment was scheduled, a candidate can reconfirm the date, time and location of their appointment using Prometric's automated system.

How will candidates find their local Prometric Testing Center?

Candidates will receive a listing of Prometric Testing Centers along with their authorization-to-test letter. Candidates may locate nearby testing centers or obtain directions to a testing center via the Internet at www.2test.com or www.prometric.com. Candidates may also access directions through Prometric's automated phone system when calling the 1-800 number. A candidate may call the local Prometric Testing Center and ask for directions.

What is the cost to candidates?

The per-candidate fee for the EPPP examination is $350.00. After July 1, 2001, the fee for the examination will rise to $450.00. The CBT test administration fee, to be collected by Prometric, will be $65.00 U.S. per candidate.

What information must be provided when candidates call to schedule their examinations?

Candidates must provide:

• The name of the examination (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
• Where and when the candidate would like to test (location of Prometric Testing Center and desired date)
• Social Security/Social Insurance number of ID number
• Name
• Daytime telephone number
• Type of payment: credit card or direct debit to a checking account

What at the acceptable forms of payment for the test CBT administration fee?

Payment for Prometric test administration fees may be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by direct debit to a checking account. Payment of the test administration fee must be made at the time the candidate schedules the examination. It is not possible to pay the test administration fee at the testing center.

What are the requirements for admission to the testing center?

Candidates must arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. Candidates must have a currently valid, government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, etc), as well as another piece of identification imprinted with the candidate's name and containing a signature (credit card, CPR card, etc.) A Social Security/Social Insurance card is not an acceptable form of identification. On both forms of ID, the signature must match the preprinted name. All testing sessions will be videotaped and audio-monitored. A digitized image of all candidates taking the examination will be retained.

What is Prometric's rescheduling policy?

Candidates wishing to reschedule their appointments with Prometric should contact Prometric by noon local time at the test center where they are scheduled to test at least 2 business days prior to their scheduled appointment date. Since Prometric Testing Centers are open, Saturday may be considered a business day. The new appointment date must be within the candidate's eligibility period in order for the appointment to be rescheduled.

Is there a fee for rescheduling?

Currently there is no fee for rescheduling an appointment. Prometric has, however, reserved the right to institute such a fee.

Are refunds of the CBT administration fees available for no-shows?

No. Since Prometric's rescheduling policy is liberal, no refunds are available. Candidates who fail to show up to take the examination on their scheduled appointment date will not receive a refund of their CBT administration fees.

If candidates apply for the examination, but do not take it, will they receive a refund of their examination?

In cases in which PES receives candidates fees, candidates who wish to withdraw their application, or who fail to schedule an appointment during their eligibility periods or who fail to sit for a scheduled appointment, they will be assessed a $30.00 processing fee and will receive a refund of the balance of their examination fee. In cases in which the jurisdiction receives candidates fee, the jurisdiction will be assessed a $30.00 processing fee for each candidate who withdraws his/her application, or who fails too schedule an appointment during his/her eligibility period, or who fails to sit for the examination.

How does a candidate withdraw his/her application?

Candidates who wish to withdraw their applications should notify the licensing jurisdiction to which the application was submitted. The licensing jurisdiction will in turn notify PES.

INSIDE THE TESTING CENTERS

What are the testing centers like?

Testing centers are built to standard specifications and vary primarily on the basis of size. Private modular workstations provide ample work space, comfortable seating, and proper lighting. Proctors monitor the testing process through an observation window and from within the testing room. Parabolic mirrors mounted on the walls assist proctors in observing the testing process. All testing sessions are videotaped and audio-monitored.

Is computer knowledge necessary?

No. Computer knowledge is not required to take a computerized examination. Before the examination begins, a simple introductory lesson (tutorial)is presented that explains the process of selecting answers and moving from question to question. The time candidates spend on the practice lesson does not count against the time allotted for the examination. Most candidates take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete the tutorial and may repeat it, if desired. Candidates may select their answers using either the keyboard or the mouse. Candidates are strongly encouraged to use the tutorial prior to taking the examination.

While taking the examination, can candidates move back and forth between test questions?

Yes. While taking the computerized examination, candidates can skip forward or backward through the examination, and review questions at any point during their testing session.

Can candidates mark items for later review?

Yes. The testing software contains a feature that allows candidates to "mark" questions that they might wish to review later, if time permits. Any question can be "marked," regardless of whether it has been left blank or answered. Questions can be reviewed whether or not they have been marked. It is not necessary to unmark a question in order for it to be scored at the end of the examination.

Can candidates use scratch paper when taking the examination?

Yes. Candidates are allowed to use scratch paper that is supplied at the testing center. Candidates are not allowed to bring in their own scratch paper. Testing center staff will collect the scratch paper at the completion of the examination. Scratch paper is given to candidates only on request. It is not automatically supplied.

Can candidates use earplugs when taking the examination?

Yes. Candidates are allowed to use earplugs that are supplied by the testing center, or they may bring their own. Earplugs are not automatically distributed to candidates. Candidates must ask Prometric staff for them. However, because Prometric does not guarantee the availability of earplugs, candidates who believe that they will need earplugs are strongly advised to bring their own.

What can candidates do if they experience a delay in starting their test?

Candidates should note that their appointment time is not necessarily their starting time. Candidates have to be checked in before taking the examination (i.e., sign in, present the appropriate identification, and get photographed). The check-in process may take time if many candidates have the same appointment time. However, if the delay is more than 30 minutes after the scheduled appointment, Prometric will allow a candidate to reschedule for another time. Candidates who cannot wait more than 30 minutes after their scheduled appointment time to take the examination may ask Prometric staff to reschedule them for another day provided it is within their 60-day eligibility period. If the candidate cannot reschedule a test date within the 60-day eligibility period because there are only a few days left before the 60-day eligibility period expires, and/or there are no available appointments, the candidate must immediately contact both the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure and PES.

Can candidates make comments concerning the test administration?

Yes. Candidates are given the opportunity to complete s survey after completing their examination. The survey is presented on the computer, and consists of questions about the test administration and a free field, where candidates may enter a written comment. Candidates may also submit written comments about the test or its' administration by letter addressed to:

EPPP Program Director Professional Examination Service 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10115-0089

Can individuals with disabilities be accommodated?

All centers are fully accessible and compliant with the American with disabilities Act. For further information about how to request special accommodations, candidates must contact the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure prior to applying to take the examination. Candidates must submit appropriate documentation of their request for special accommodations to the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure, at the time that they submit their initial application materials. (Only those candidates who have been granted approval from their licensing authority will receive special accommodations during the testing.)

• This form must accompany your application if you are applying or have applied to Vermont for special testing accommodations.
• Candidates who have not yet applied for but do require special testing conditions should contact their licensing agency before completing this form and submitting their application. Professional Examination Service (PES) cannot guarantee that accommodations requested subsequent to application will be provided within the eligibility window assigned.
• Candidates whose applications or eligibility data indicate that they have applied for special accommodations will not be authorized to test until PES has received a complete application from the candidate and the Special Accommodations Approval Form from the Board.
• Supporting medical information is not required by PES. This documentation may be required by your licensing agency, who must approve your accommodations.

Who will support the cost of special accommodations?

The ASPPB will support the cost of special accommodations for candidates covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. These will include, but not be limited to, audiotaped versions of the examination, Braille examination and large-type versions of the examination. A fixed-fee schedule of costs for other kinds of accommodations provided by Prometric will be developed (e.g., extended time, private testing room, reader, amanuensis). ASPPB may wish to review documentation of requests for special accommodations.