HSP Practice Test

Licensed psychologists who want the HSP Credential from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists will find this page useful. There is no separate HSP exam; a passing EPPP score is the requirement. This page sets out the credential facts from the official site and offers free practice sets we wrote ourselves, not real exam questions.

HSP Exam at a Glance

What changed for HSP in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility changed to Accredited doctorate, internship, postdoc supervised experience, active unrestricted license, passing EPPP (previously Accredited psychology doctorate, internship, postdoctoral supervised experience, unrestricted independent-practice license, passing EPPP score).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Passing score changed to Passing EPPP score required (no separate HSP exam) (previously Passing score on the EPPP required (no separate HSP exam)).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee changed to $0 HSP Credential application fee (previously $0 application fee ($225 annual member dues required)).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Renewal changed to $225 annual member dues ($150 within 3 years of licensure; $20 late fee) (previously $225 annual dues ($150 within 3 years of licensure; $20 late fee)).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to Online application via the member portal (previously Online application through the member portal (transcript + supervision verifications)).^[3]

What the HSP is and how it works

According to National Register of Health Service Psychologists, “A passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).”^[1]

The HSP Credential is issued by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. You apply online: create an account, log into the member portal, and select "Join Now."

There is no separate HSP exam, and nothing on the application is scored. The official requirements list a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The other listed requirements are an accredited doctorate, an internship, supervised postdoctoral experience, and an active, unrestricted license. Check the official credentialing requirements page for the exact wording of each item. Details such as licensure rules differ by state, so confirm yours with your licensing board.

On cost, the National Register lists a $0 HSP Credential application fee and a $0 reapplication fee. After you join, annual member dues are $225. The dues are $150 within the first years of licensure, and a $20 late fee applies. Applications for the ECP scholarship are due November 15, 2026.

Because the EPPP is the exam that matters here, the practice sets below are general review of psychology practice topics. They are not an official HSP exam or a copy of the EPPP. Use the National Register fees and requirements pages as the final word on any fee, date or rule, since they can change.

Worked examples: how to reason through HSP questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What is internal validity?

1. Accuracy of measurement tools
2. Generalizability of results
3. Confidence in cause-effect relationships
4. Participant retention rate

Answer: C. Confidence in cause-effect relationships

Explanation:

The correct answer is confidence in cause-effect relationships. Internal validity asks whether the change you observed was really caused by the independent variable, rather than by confounding factors. Accuracy of measurement tools is about reliability and measurement validity, which is a different question. Generalizability of results describes external validity: whether findings apply beyond the study sample. Participant retention rate is a practical matter. Heavy dropout can threaten internal validity, but retention is not the definition of the term. The rule to remember: internal validity is about whether the cause-and-effect claim holds inside the study, and external validity is about whether it carries over to other people and settings.

Example 2

Question: How often should a practitioner review applicable regulations and standards?

1. Regularly, as regulations are updated frequently and compliance is ongoing
2. Only during initial licensure
3. Every five years at renewal time
4. Only when notified of a violation

Answer: A. Regularly, as regulations are updated frequently and compliance is ongoing

Explanation:

The correct answer is regular review. Regulations and professional standards change often, and compliance is a continuing duty, not a one-time task. Only during initial licensure is wrong because a rule you learned then may have changed since. Every five years at renewal time is wrong because a fixed, infrequent schedule can leave you out of date for long stretches. Only when notified of a violation is wrong because it is reactive; you would learn of a change only after a problem has already occurred. The general rule: stay current as a routine habit. Do not wait for a deadline or a complaint to prompt you to check what applies to your practice.

Example 3

Question: What is the appropriate retention period for professional records?

1. As specified by state/federal law and professional licensing requirements
2. One year after the last service
3. Until storage space runs out
4. Only as long as the client remains active

Answer: A. As specified by state/federal law and professional licensing requirements

Explanation:

The correct answer is that retention follows state and federal law and professional licensing requirements. These sources set minimum retention periods, and the periods can differ by record type and by jurisdiction. One year after the last service is wrong because it is an arbitrary short period that may fall below the legal minimum. Until storage space runs out is wrong because storage convenience is not a legal or ethical basis for keeping or destroying records. Only as long as the client remains active is wrong because obligations often continue after a client leaves care. The rule to remember: look up the requirement that applies to your jurisdiction and record type, and do not rely on a general guess.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the National Register credentialing requirements page and confirm that you meet each listed item, including your state license. Note anything that depends on your jurisdiction and check it with your licensing board.

Then use the practice sets as topic review. Take a short set from each topic on this page and mark every question you miss or guess. Read the explanation for each one, and write the general rule in your own words. Group your misses by topic and spend your next sessions on the weakest groups. Our sets on research and scientific foundations, evaluation and diagnosis, intervention, and ethics and professional standards are the closest to core psychology practice. Treat the sets on equipment, infection control and similar topics as optional general review, since they were not written from an official outline.

As your test date gets closer, retake the sets you found hard and see whether you can explain why each wrong option is wrong, not just pick the right one. Keep the official site open for fees and dates, and treat our questions as practice only, not as a preview of the real exam.

Sources & last verified

1. National Register of Health Service Psychologists — passing score, eligibility (official source). “A passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
2. National Register of Health Service Psychologists — exam fee, retake fee, renewal (official source). “$0 HSP Credential application fee.” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
3. National Register of Health Service Psychologists — delivery (official source). “Simply create an account, log into the member portal, and select "Join Now."” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
4. National Register of Health Service Psychologists — registration deadline (official source). “due November 15, 2026” Verified Oct 25, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.