Texas is set to become the first state to develop its own psychologist licensing exam, The Texas Tribune reported June 24.
Here are five things to know:
- Texas seeks to develop a less expensive alternative to the national certification exam — the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology — which costs test-takers $800, the Tribune reported.
- In 2022, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards announced it would add another required skills test to the licensing exam in 2026. The skills test would cost $450 in addition to the $800 knowledge exam fee. In December, the association paused the rollout of the skills test over pushback from states.
- Texas officials are concerned that expensive licensing tests could worsen the shortage of mental health professionals in the state, according to the Tribune.
- Funds for development of the test are included in the Texas state budget. John Bielamowicz, presiding member of the Texas psychologists’ licensing board, told the Tribune the board is beginning the process of designing the test and will seek input from stakeholders across the state and nation.
- Mr. Bielamowicz said he hopes other states will join Texas’s efforts to move to a lower-fee test.
Read more here.
