National Psychology Exam Curriculum Is Changing: What Provisional Psychologists Need to Know

If you’re a provisional psychologist preparing to sit the National Psychology Exam (NPE), you’ve probably heard whispers about the upcoming changes to the Core Competencies for psychologists. After speaking directly with AHPRA this morning and reviewing an advance copy of the updated NPE curriculum, I want to share the facts—plus some guidance on how to choose your study materials wisely.

When Are the Changes Happening to the National Psychology Exam?

• The new Core Competencies for psychologists will take effect in December 2025.

• A new NPE curriculum has already been developed based on these upcoming competency changes. I’ve reviewed an advance copy of this new curriculum.

  
  

  If you’re sitting the exam before February 2026: You’re all good—no changes apply to you. Keep preparing with your current materials.

  
  

  If you’re sitting the exam after February 2026: You can continue preparing with the current curriculum for now. From my early review, the psychological assessment content remains largely unchanged, but there will be adjustments in other areas. If you are a circle community member, I have already uploaded the advanced copy of the curriculum to the online platform.

  
  

  To stay updated, keep an eye on my blog, follow me on social media, or subscribe to my email list—I’ll share updates as soon as new information is confirmed.
  

For Provisional Psychologists in My NPE Course (or Thinking About Joining)

My NPE course will be updated as soon as the new reading list is officially released. Just like when I built the course originally, I’ll read every single item—cover to cover—and translate it into accessible, relevant videos and study resources so you don’t have to.

When I first developed this course, I didn’t just skim the competency statements. I read the entire AHPRA reading list in full and built the course directly around it. That level of depth and accuracy is reflected in the structure and the pricing of the course. It’s designed to give you exactly what you need—not just the basics.

You can expect the same level of rigour, clarity, and accuracy when the new curriculum comes into effect.

Some Questions to Help Guide Your Decision-Making

In recent months, I’ve had several provisionals reach out to me after being misled or sold outdated, low-quality NPE prep materials. In some cases, these were websites with no transparency about who created the content—or even whether they were qualified psychologists.

To help you make informed choices (yes, you can ask me these questions too!), here are some key points to consider:

1. Who created the material? Are they a registered psychologist? Do they clearly state their name, credentials, and experience with the NPE? Can you verify them on the AHPRA register?
   

2. How was their NPE content developed? Is it directly based on the NPE curriculum and reading list, or is it generic exam advice? Which version of the reading list and curriculum is it based on? (These are updated roughly twice per year.)
   

3. Was it written by a human—or by AI? AI can be helpful, but it’s also prone to errors. Quality NPE prep should be grounded in a psychologist’s expertise and understanding of the exam. If some of the content is AI-generated, ask how much of it is.
   

4. What does the cost actually include? Make sure it’s clear. Are you getting video modules, practice questions, downloadable resources? How many? For how long?
   

5. How long will you have access? Ensure your login or license lasts long enough if your exam is months away. Also ask what it costs to extend access if you run out of time.

🚩 One Final Note of Caution for Provisional Psychologists

Be wary of anyone who promises or “guarantees” you a pass or throws around vague success rates. There is no standardised way to track this, and no matter how good a course is (mine included), you are the one who does the work. A solid course can guide, support, and equip you—but no one can promise the outcome.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose to learn with me or someone else, I want you to feel confident and informed about your next steps. The changes to the NPE are significant, but not something to panic about—as long as you stay up to date, choose your study materials wisely, and focus on the things you can control.

If you have questions or want to stay in the loop, you can join my Circle community or explore my National Psychology Exam preparation course here.