Call to Action: Removal of College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) 3-Attempt EPPP Policy.

Alberta’s three-strike EPPP limit (Policy Rp013a), introduced in January 2023, permanently bars qualified candidates after just three attempts, with only one narrow “extenuating circumstances” exception, creating an unjust barrier to licensure. Under “EPPP, Limitation on Exam Attempts” (Policy RP013a), no candidate may exceed four total attempts across all jurisdictions. While CAP asserts this rule protects exam integrity and aligns with other regulators, its lifetime cap and rigid application far exceed the more flexible practices in other provinces and states, inflicting undue hardship on otherwise qualified professionals.

This rigid rule disproportionately penalizes professionals who are neurodivergent, have learning disabilities, or come from marginalized communities, groups already disadvantaged by documented cultural and structural biases in standardized tests like the EPPP. CAP has acknowledged disparities in pass rates but dismissed them as “multifactorial” without addressing systemic flaws or reviewing exam validity. In contrast, provinces such as Saskatchewan allow remediation and reapplication after a waiting period, and Nova Scotia and Newfoundland impose no caps. CAP’s inflexible approach denies redemption, undermines equity, and clashes with inclusive regulatory best practices. When a policy leads to the de-registration of otherwise qualified psychologists, individuals who have met all other requirements, including graduate training, supervised hours, and ethics exams, it demands serious re-evaluation.

International & Exam Validity Concerns
In Louisiana, the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) has formally recognized fairness and validity issues with the EPPP. They’ve convened a dedicated workgroup to evaluate the exam’s relevance and are in the process of eliminating their own three-strike policy.

📎 LSBEP Meeting Minutes – Feb 2022: https://wwwprd.doa.louisiana.gov/boardsandcommissions/MeetingMinutes/34_MINUTES%202-18-22%20APPROVED%206-30-22.pdf
📎 LSBEP Newsletter Vol. 17-1: https://lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/News_vol17-1.pdf

This reflects a broader shift toward policies that reflect fairness, modern psychology, and inclusive access to the profession. Alberta must follow suit.

ASPPB & Exam Validity Concerns

• Unmarked Research Items. The EPPP embeds 50 “research” questions without informing candidates or offering an opt-out—violating informed-consent principles and ethical testing standards.
• Cultural Bias & Disparate Outcomes. Recent analyses reveal significant pass-rate gaps: 38.5% for Black candidates, 35.6% for Hispanic candidates, 24% for Asian candidates, and 14.1% for White candidates, evidence of systemic bias in content and scoring
• Opaque Appeals. Candidates report ambiguous or outdated items, cultural stereotyping, and no transparent review process—yet ASPPB has dismissed complaints without independent oversight.
• Lack of Preparation Support. Beyond a basic handbook, there is no structured study program, leaving candidates to navigate a biased exam without sufficient guidance.

We respectfully request that CAP:
1. Amend Policy RP013a so that EPPP attempts mirror the ASPPB standard of four attempts per 12-month period (rather than a lifetime cap of three).

2. Grandfather all provisional registrants who began under the 2023 transition into this four-per-year rule, regardless of past attempts.

Multiple Alberta provisional psychologists have already lost their standing under this rule, despite passing ethics exams, completing thousands of supervised clinical hours, and serving their communities. These colleagues weren’t removed for incompetence or misconduct, but for missing a narrow score threshold on a single exam. The result is not only professional devastation but profound personal hardship, stripping away years of dedication and identity from those committed to mental health care.

This policy doesn’t just harm individual candidates—it harms the public. By excluding skilled, compassionate professionals from the licensure pathway, CAP exacerbates Alberta’s psychologist shortage and lengthens wait times for mental health services. Our province cannot afford to close the door on qualified providers.

Other Canadian jurisdictions offer far more flexible, inclusive approaches:
Nova Scotia: Four attempts per year (up to eight total in two years).
Newfoundland & Labrador: Unlimited attempts with remedial support.
Saskatchewan: Reapplication permitted after a waiting period and remediation.
Ontario (Psychological Associates): Four attempts per 12-month period after stakeholder review.

While Alberta’s policy purports to protect the public, it instead sacrifices fair access to licensure without improving safety. Other provinces have adopted flexible, inclusive frameworks that uphold standards while supporting qualified candidates. Alberta must do the same. We urge CAP to consult broadly, with community members, equity advisors, and affected psychologists—to develop a policy that reflects the province’s evolving mental health needs. Without reform, CAP risks eroding Alberta’s future psychological workforce by excluding skilled, diverse professionals before they’ve had a chance to serve.