How the Test to License Psychologists Fails Aspirants

In 2015, Lin, Stamm, and Christidis reported that 86 percent of psychologists in the U.S. workforce were white, 5 percent were Asian, 5 percent were Hispanic, 4 percent were Black/African-American, and 1 percent were multiracial or from other racial/ethnic groups. They went on to highlight that psychology is less diverse than the U.S. population as a whole, which was 62 percent white and 38 percent racial/ethnic minority.

The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that from 2011 to 2021, the demographics of the U.S. psychology workforce showed that white psychologists made up 80.85 percent of the workplace, compared to Blacks at 5.08 percent, Hispanics at 7.95 percent, American Indian/Alaska Natives at 0.13 percent, Asians at 3.28 percent, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders at 0.03 percent.

The APA also reported that psychology’s workforce is becoming more diverse: “More people of color are earning psychology degrees, a trend that is enhancing the diversity of the psychology workplace,” but “most psychologists are still white” with 46.9 percent female and 53.6 percent male.

Such information alerted me to the fact that the psychology field has a history of a gap in the workforce between white and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) psychologists. Determining the catalyst for the gap between races in the workforce piqued my curiosity. I started with the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Several published articles confirm the disparity in passing rates between BIPOC and white aspiring psychologists, showing that the EPPP does not fairly determine whether aspiring psychologists are ready for independent clinical practice. The gap in the workforce may seemingly correlate with high rates of failure for aspiring psychologists.

Racial Disparity

The EPPP presents a significant set of challenges and setbacks for aspiring psychologists. The racial disparities that contribute to high failure rates for aspiring BIPOC psychologists are forefront. A letter drafted by Radical Psychologists in July 2024 shows that the earliest reports of racial disparities in pass rates were made by Werner (1981) observing that white test-takers passed the EPPP at nearly twice the percentage of African Americans or members of other ethnic groups (57 percent, 25 percent, and 16 percent, respectively). Radical Psychologists highlight more research results confirming a racial gap in EPPP pass rates:

• Drs. Brian Sharpless and Jacques Barber (2009) reported the percentage of ethnic minority students in doctoral programs was significantly and negatively associated with the EPPP pass rates.
• Sharpless (2019) gathered data on 4,892 applicants in New York and their exam scores over 25 years and found that African American test takers had a failure rate of 38.50 percent, and Hispanic test takers had a failure rate of 35.60 percent. White testers had a failure rate of 14.07 percent.
• Sharpless (2021) replicated the study in Connecticut and found that white test takers had a failure rate of 5.75 percent, and Black and Hispanic test takers had a failure rate of 23.33 percent and 18.6 percent, respectively.
• Macura and Ameen (2021) reported that white psychologists had a higher pass rate of 89 percent than BIPOC psychologists at 70 percent.
• Saldana, Callahan, and Cox's 2024 findings show that the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology differentiates candidates for licensure more strongly by race, ethnicity, and general neurocognitive abilities than by profession-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities. The study highlights the need for better licensure exam development processes to uphold the principles of the field and foster equal employment opportunities in the professional workforce.

Research points out the consistent gap in the workforce between races. There is evidence that the rates of passing the EPPP for BIPOC aspirants are lower than that of white psychologists showing discrimination in the licensing process. The EPPP, a critical step for aspiring psychologists seeking licensure, causes a barrier for BIPOC aspirants to enter the workforce. It presents setbacks and significant challenges and seems to fail BIPOC aspiring psychologists. Without passing the EPPP, BIPOC psychologists cannot obtain licensure to practice in the workforce. It delays their ability to practice independently and many positions in clinical settings, private practice, and academia require licensure, limiting job prospects for those who fail the exam. Delayed licensure means delayed entry into higher-paying positions, leading to prolonged periods of lower income or unemployment. Opportunities for advancement, such as promotions or specialized certifications, may be missed due to the lack of licensure.

For some aspiring psychologists, the EPPP feels like a never-ending psychologist-themed obstacle course. Though there are other variables worth looking into as the cause for the discrimination with the EPPP, this literature review focused on limitations in passing rates between white and BIPOC aspiring psychologists. Historical and current data show that white psychologists are consistently the dominant race in the workforce seemingly due to the challenges faced by aspiring psychologists when seeking licensure for independent practice. Fitness for independent practice using the EPPP is questionable and may indicate an adverse impact against BIPOC aspiring psychologists. Denying such biases overlooks the real challenges faced by candidates from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Their experiences and cultural contexts may not be adequately represented in the exam's content. Recognizing and addressing these biases is crucial not only for the integrity of the testing process but also for ensuring that the psychology profession remains inclusive and reflective of the diverse populations it serves. A more equitable system that upholds the principles of justice and cultural competence can benefit both aspiring psychologists and the communities they aim to support.