EPPP Sections: A Beginner's Guide to What’s on the Exam

If you’re researching psychology licensure, understanding the EPPP sections is one of the best places to start. The different sections of the EPPP cover the major knowledge areas psychologists are expected to understand before becoming licensed professionals.

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is the licensing exam used in the United States and Canada for aspiring psychologists. It is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, often called ASPPB. Most jurisdictions require candidates to pass at least EPPP Part 1 before they can become licensed psychologists.

For people new to the process, the EPPP can feel intimidating because it covers a wide range of psychology topics. The good news is that the exam is organized into clear sections, also called domains. Once you understand what each section covers, the exam becomes much easier to understand. Let's break it down.

What Is the EPPP?

The EPPP is designed to test whether future psychologists have the foundational knowledge needed to practice safely and effectively. The exam currently has two parts:

EPPP Part 1: Knowledge — focuses on psychology concepts, theories, assessment, and treatment
EPPP Part 2: Skills — focuses on applying psychology knowledge in real-world situations

Not every state or province requires Part 2 yet, but all jurisdictions currently require Part 1.

When people talk about the “EPPP sections,” they are usually referring to the domains within Part 1 of the exam. We're going to go over those next. Here you have the eight domains in Part 1 of the EPPP, with a breakdown of what they contain:

Biological Bases of Behavior

This section focuses on how the brain and body affect behavior, emotions, and mental health. It includes topics related to neuroscience, biology, and psychopharmacology.

Some of the concepts covered include:

Brain structure and function
Neurotransmitters
Hormones and the nervous system
Genetics and behavior
Sleep and consciousness
Medications used in mental health treatment

In simple terms, this section asks: How does the body influence thoughts, emotions, and behavior?

For example, you may need to understand how serotonin affects mood or how brain injuries can impact memory and personality. According to ASPPB, this domain makes up about 10% of the exam.

Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior

This section explores how people think, learn, remember, and experience emotions. It combines cognitive psychology with emotional and motivational processes.

Topics include:

Learning theories
Memory
Attention and perception
Intelligence
Language development
Emotion and motivation
Problem-solving and decision-making

This domain is important because psychologists need to understand how people process information and react emotionally.

For example, candidates may see questions about classical conditioning, memory storage, or theories of intelligence. This section makes up roughly 13% of the exam.

Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior

This section focuses on how relationships, culture, and society influence behavior.

Areas covered include:

Group behavior
Social influence
Prejudice and discrimination
Cultural identity
Diversity and intersectionality
Communication styles
Family and organizational systems

This section also emphasizes multicultural competence, which is a major part of modern psychology practice.

For example, candidates may answer questions about how cultural background affects communication or how group dynamics influence decision-making. ASPPB lists this domain as approximately 11% of the exam.

Growth and Lifespan Development

This section focuses on how people grow and change throughout life, from infancy through older adulthood.

Topics include:

Child development
Adolescence
Adult development
Aging
Developmental theories
Attachment
Cognitive and emotional development

Psychologists need to understand what typical development looks like at different life stages. They also need to recognize when development may not be progressing normally.

You might see questions about developmental theorists like Piaget or Erikson, or about how aging affects memory and cognition. This domain represents about 12% of the exam.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Many people consider this one of the most important sections of the EPPP because assessment is a major part of psychology practice.

This domain covers:

Psychological testing
Intelligence testing
Personality assessment
Neuropsychological assessment
Diagnostic systems like the DSM
Test reliability and validity
Interviewing techniques

Candidates are expected to understand how psychologists gather information and make diagnoses responsibly.

For example, questions may ask about the difference between reliability and validity, or how to choose the right assessment tool for a client. This section is one of the largest parts of the exam, accounting for around 14%.

Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention

This section focuses on how psychologists help people improve mental health and functioning.

Topics include:

Psychotherapy approaches
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic therapy
Humanistic therapy
Group therapy
Crisis intervention
Treatment planning
Prevention programs

This domain tests whether candidates understand evidence-based treatments and how to apply them appropriately.

For example, candidates may need to identify which therapy approach would work best for a particular client or situation. Like assessment, this section makes up about 14% of the exam.

Research Methods and Statistics

Psychology is a science, so psychologists must understand research and data interpretation.

This section includes:

Research design
Statistical concepts
Experimental methods
Data analysis
Ethics in research
Psychometrics

Even students who do not enjoy statistics often find this section manageable once they focus on the practical meaning behind the concepts.

Questions may involve understanding correlation, interpreting study results, or identifying flaws in research design.

Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues

This section focuses on the ethical responsibilities psychologists have toward clients, colleagues, and the public.

Topics include:

Confidentiality
Informed consent
Professional boundaries
Ethics codes
Licensing laws
Record keeping
Competence and supervision

Because psychologists work in sensitive situations, ethics are a critical part of the profession.

Candidates are often asked to determine the most ethical response in different clinical situations. Understanding ethical decision-making is essential not only for passing the exam, but also for practicing responsibly.

What About the EPPP Part 2?

The EPPP Part 2 focuses less on memorization and more on applying psychology knowledge in real-world situations. It evaluates professional judgment, communication, assessment, intervention, and ethical decision-making.

Not every jurisdiction currently requires this part of the exam, so candidates should check their local licensing requirements before preparing for it.

What to Remember About the EPPP

At first glance, the EPPP can seem overwhelming because it covers so many areas of psychology. However, once you break the exam down into individual sections, it becomes much easier to understand.

Each of the EPPP sections represents a core area of psychology knowledge that licensed psychologists are expected to know. Together, these domains help ensure that future psychologists are prepared to work ethically, safely, and effectively with clients.

For students still exploring psychology careers, learning about the EPPP is a helpful way to understand what professional psychologists are expected to know before becoming licensed.

If you're planning to take the EPPP, you should check out our guide to EPPP test taking strategies.