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To: The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board and The American Psychological Association. Dr. Mariann Burnetti-Atwell

Allow remote testing for EPPP and jurisprudence exams for psychology licensure

Clinicians are deemed as essential health workers, therefore priority should be placed in supporting clinician's journey to become licensed. Many states such as Texas and Washington have online Jurisprudence exams. Therefore, it seems appropriate to move towards this method of testing as well. The EPPP is a four hour and 15 minute examination, and changes can be made to the time allotted for clinicians to take the test. Additionally, a verification step could be added for every 30 questions to ensure clinicians are taking the test appropriately. Pearson already has remote testing in place for some exams via their OnVue system.

Why is this important?

We, the undersigned call on The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board and the American Psychological Association to move the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) testing and State Board testing to remote testing online access. The current pandemic has lead to increased mental illness and a surge in mental health crises across the world. Clinicians are currently unable to gain licensure due to the Pearson test center closures or reduced test taking abilities. Once the test centers reopen, it calls into question the safety of clinicians taking the test in a potentially compromised environment for four hours. As a result, this is causing a delay of competent clinicians becoming licensed and being able to provide services and support to those struggling in the community. All the while individuals are struggling to manage their mental health symptoms during this lockdown.

The delay is not only affecting our potential patients, but it is also affecting the clinicians. Each month, clinicians are spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to continue subscriptions to test materials in the hope they may be able to find a test date. Also, some clinicians suffer from medical concerns that make wearing a mask problematic and detrimental to performance. Wearing a mask for some leads to lightheadedness, feeling faint, or feeling smothered. Have validity tests been conducted for taking the EPPP while wearing a mask?

Since starting this petition, we have learned that the LSAT is offering an online remote proctored test due to Covid-19. The Michigan Supreme Court has announced that the Bar exam will be taken online as a remote essay test. The Supreme Court of Washington has allowed an emergency diploma allowing those who registered for the bar exam in July or September to be licensed in the state without passing the exam.

How it will be delivered

I hope to mail and email the signatures to the individuals that can hopefully make a difference and advocate for these changes to be made.

Updates

2021-05-21 01:12:23 -0400

1,000 signatures reached

2020-10-25 00:31:42 -0400

Hey guys,

It seems there is a delay with me sending emails and them getting approved and sent out to you. I received a response from the ASPPB after they had held a board meeting, during this meeting my letter regarding remote testing was on the agenda.

In their response, ASPPB mentioned the difficulties of having remote testing (e.g. the EPPP is essentially too long to be administered via remote testing due to systems and capacity, test security, etc.) However, they did not address the other potential options as demonstrated by the bar.

I created a group on facebook (for EPPP reform) to try and have a united space where we could all come together. I will add the link to this post (the ASPPB response is also there).
To make a nationwide change we need to go state by state. If we are united, we can speak for our profession.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/348100619770758/

2020-09-17 13:00:26 -0400

Hey guys, I attended the APA virtual town hall yesterday. To say I was disappointed with their response would be an understatement. They basically stated the ASPPB is looking into test unfairness and looking at the questions and basically told us to keep advocating...

None of my questions were asked or answered, but other attendees could ask questions about the EPPP.

So needless to say...this motivated me more. I feverishly sent out more emails yesterday and received a positive response this morning. I was provided with two additional names at the WSPA Board that might support the proposals. Please note that the email I wrote to them was proposing EPPP reform. I still have not heard back from anyone regarding remote testing. However, these reforms would keep us safe.

I appreciate your continued efforts, and I will not stop fighting for our safety.

Have a great day guys, and stay safe.

2020-09-04 00:39:44 -0400

I'm waiting for responses...however, in the meantime, in-between studying for the EPPP, I have been finding other people and organizations to reach out to, those should be delivered next week.

In addition, the topic of EPPP reform keeps coming up.

Stay safe and well folks

2020-08-09 18:03:34 -0400

Close to reaching 800 signatures. I will be printing the petition on Thursday of this week. I am putting the finishing touches to the letter. I plan to send this to ASPPB, my state board, congressman, senators and assemblyman. Thank you to those that have shared news articles, research, personal stories etc. You guys are amazing and your help so far has been great.

I'm throwing it out to you guys, if you can to contact your state boards and others within your state, congressman, senators, etc. The more angles we cover, the better. If you would like a copy of my letter once it's completed (edit as you see fit) then please email me.

It would be nice if we were granted diploma privilege....we can only hope :o)

Thanks again, stay safe

2020-07-01 16:36:04 -0400

500 signatures reached

2020-06-23 13:19:33 -0400

100 signatures reached

2020-06-23 09:15:57 -0400

50 signatures reached

2020-06-23 01:49:57 -0400

25 signatures reached

2020-06-22 21:03:19 -0400

10 signatures reached