diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/api.yml b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/api.yml
index a4d8156c..06f482bc 100755
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/api.yml
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/api.yml
@@ -1251,9 +1251,16 @@ paths:
                 $ref: "#/components/schemas/OkTrue"
 
   /process-instances/reports/columns:
+    parameters:
+      - name: process_model_identifier
+        in: query
+        required: false
+        description: The process model identifier to filter by
+        schema:
+          type: string
     get:
       operationId: spiffworkflow_backend.routes.process_instances_controller.process_instance_report_column_list
-      summary: Returns all available columns for a process instance report.
+      summary: Returns all available columns for a process instance report, including custom metadata
       tags:
         - Process Instances
       responses:
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py
index 758a48d9..aa6b3cc8 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/src/spiffworkflow_backend/routes/process_instances_controller.py
@@ -390,15 +390,21 @@ def process_instance_list(
     return make_response(jsonify(response_json), 200)
 
 
-def process_instance_report_column_list() -> flask.wrappers.Response:
+def process_instance_report_column_list(process_model_identifier: Optional[str] = None) -> flask.wrappers.Response:
     """Process_instance_report_column_list."""
     table_columns = ProcessInstanceReportService.builtin_column_options()
-    columns_for_metadata = (
+    columns_for_metadata_query = (
         db.session.query(ProcessInstanceMetadataModel.key)
         .order_by(ProcessInstanceMetadataModel.key)
         .distinct()  # type: ignore
-        .all()
     )
+    if process_model_identifier:
+        columns_for_metadata_query = columns_for_metadata_query.join(ProcessInstanceModel)
+        columns_for_metadata_query = columns_for_metadata_query.filter(
+            ProcessInstanceModel.process_model_identifier == process_model_identifier
+        )
+
+    columns_for_metadata = columns_for_metadata_query.all()
     columns_for_metadata_strings = [
         {"Header": i[0], "accessor": i[0], "filterable": True} for i in columns_for_metadata
     ]
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/helpers/base_test.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/helpers/base_test.py
index 5f483fdd..6b4d0143 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/helpers/base_test.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/helpers/base_test.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class BaseTest:
         if bpmn_file_location is None:
             bpmn_file_location = process_model_id
 
-        self.create_process_group(client, user, process_group_description, process_group_display_name)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, user, process_group_description, process_group_display_name)
 
         self.create_process_model_with_api(
             client,
@@ -97,6 +97,15 @@ class BaseTest:
         return process_model_identifier
 
     def create_process_group(
+        self,
+        process_group_id: str,
+        display_name: str = "",
+    ) -> ProcessGroup:
+        """Create_process_group."""
+        process_group = ProcessGroup(id=process_group_id, display_name=display_name, display_order=0, admin=False)
+        return ProcessModelService.add_process_group(process_group)
+
+    def create_process_group_with_api(
         self,
         client: FlaskClient,
         user: Any,
@@ -353,3 +362,20 @@ class BaseTest:
     def un_modify_modified_process_identifier_for_path_param(self, modified_identifier: str) -> str:
         """Un_modify_modified_process_model_id."""
         return modified_identifier.replace(":", "/")
+
+    def create_process_model_with_metadata(self) -> ProcessModelInfo:
+        self.create_process_group("test_group", "test_group")
+        process_model = load_test_spec(
+            "test_group/hello_world",
+            process_model_source_directory="nested-task-data-structure",
+        )
+        ProcessModelService.update_process_model(
+            process_model,
+            {
+                "metadata_extraction_paths": [
+                    {"key": "awesome_var", "path": "outer.inner"},
+                    {"key": "invoice_number", "path": "invoice_number"},
+                ]
+            },
+        )
+        return process_model
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_logging_service.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_logging_service.py
index f79a3295..41f30563 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_logging_service.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_logging_service.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class TestLoggingService(BaseTest):
         with_db_and_bpmn_file_cleanup: None,
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
         AuthorizationService.import_permissions_from_yaml_file()
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class TestLoggingService(BaseTest):
         with_db_and_bpmn_file_cleanup: None,
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
         AuthorizationService.import_permissions_from_yaml_file()
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py
index b0f355c8..89fda503 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_process_api.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         process_group_id = "test_process_group"
         process_group_display_name = "Test Process Group"
         # creates the group directory, and the json file
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_display_name)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_display_name)
 
         process_model_id = "sample"
         model_display_name = "Sample"
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         process_group_description = "Test Process Group"
         process_model_id = "sample"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_description)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_description)
 
         text = "Create a Bug Tracker process model "
         text += "with a Bug Details form that collects summary, description, and priority"
@@ -237,7 +237,9 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
         initial_primary_process_id = "sample"
         terminal_primary_process_id = "new_process_id"
-        self.create_process_group(client=client, user=with_super_admin_user, process_group_id=process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(
+            client=client, user=with_super_admin_user, process_group_id=process_group_id
+        )
 
         bpmn_file_name = f"{process_model_id}.bpmn"
         bpmn_file_source_directory = process_model_id
@@ -281,7 +283,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         process_group_description = "Test Process Group"
         process_model_id = "sample"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_description)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_description)
         self.create_process_model_with_api(
             client,
             process_model_id=process_model_identifier,
@@ -317,7 +319,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         bpmn_file_location = "sample"
         process_model_identifier = f"{test_process_group_id}/{test_process_model_id}"
         modified_process_model_identifier = process_model_identifier.replace("/", ":")
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, test_process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, test_process_group_id)
         self.create_process_model_with_api(client, process_model_identifier, user=with_super_admin_user)
         bpmn_file_data_bytes = self.get_test_data_file_contents(bpmn_file_name, bpmn_file_location)
         self.create_spec_file(
@@ -362,7 +364,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_process_model_update."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_process_group", "Test Process Group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_process_group", "Test Process Group")
         process_model_identifier = "test_process_group/make_cookies"
         self.create_process_model_with_api(
             client,
@@ -403,7 +405,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
     ) -> None:
         """Test_process_model_list_all."""
         group_id = "test_group/test_sub_group"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id)
 
         # add 5 models to the group
         for i in range(5):
@@ -439,7 +441,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         """Test_process_model_list."""
         # create a group
         group_id = "test_group"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id)
 
         # add 5 models to the group
         for i in range(5):
@@ -603,7 +605,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         process_group_id = "test"
         process_group_display_name = "My Process Group"
 
-        self.create_process_group(
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(
             client,
             with_super_admin_user,
             process_group_id,
@@ -632,7 +634,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         group_id = "test_process_group"
         group_display_name = "Test Group"
 
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id, display_name=group_display_name)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id, display_name=group_display_name)
         process_group = ProcessModelService.get_process_group(group_id)
 
         assert process_group.display_name == group_display_name
@@ -662,7 +664,9 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         for i in range(5):
             group_id = f"test_process_group_{i}"
             group_display_name = f"Test Group {i}"
-            self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, group_id, display_name=group_display_name)
+            self.create_process_group_with_api(
+                client, with_super_admin_user, group_id, display_name=group_display_name
+            )
 
         # get all groups
         response = client.get(
@@ -787,7 +791,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         process_group_description = "Test Group"
         process_model_id = "random_fact"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_description)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_description)
         self.create_process_model_with_api(
             client,
             process_model_id=process_model_identifier,
@@ -1091,7 +1095,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
     ) -> None:
         """Test_get_process_model_when_not_found."""
         process_model_dir_name = "THIS_NO_EXISTS"
-        group_id = self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "my_group")
+        group_id = self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "my_group")
         bad_process_model_id = f"{group_id}/{process_model_dir_name}"
         modified_bad_process_model_id = bad_process_model_id.replace("/", ":")
         response = client.get(
@@ -2714,7 +2718,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         groups = ["group_a", "group_b", "group_b/group_bb"]
         # setup initial groups
         for group in groups:
-            self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, group, display_name=group)
+            self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, group, display_name=group)
         # make sure initial groups exist
         for group in groups:
             persisted = ProcessModelService.get_process_group(group)
@@ -2783,7 +2787,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         sub_group_id = "sub_group"
         original_location = "group_a"
         original_sub_path = f"{original_location}/{sub_group_id}"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, original_sub_path, display_name=sub_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, original_sub_path, display_name=sub_group_id)
         # make sure original subgroup exists
         persisted = ProcessModelService.get_process_group(original_sub_path)
         assert persisted is not None
@@ -2835,7 +2839,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
     #         )
     #
     #         process_group_id = "test_group"
-    #         self.create_process_group(
+    #         self.create_process_group_with_api(
     #             client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id
     #         )
     #
@@ -3077,6 +3081,18 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_get_process_instance_list_with_report_metadata."""
+        process_model = self.create_process_model_with_metadata()
+        process_instance = self.create_process_instance_from_process_model(
+            process_model=process_model, user=with_super_admin_user
+        )
+
+        processor = ProcessInstanceProcessor(process_instance)
+        processor.do_engine_steps(save=True)
+        process_instance_metadata = ProcessInstanceMetadataModel.query.filter_by(
+            process_instance_id=process_instance.id
+        ).all()
+        assert len(process_instance_metadata) == 2
+
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             process_model_id="save_process_instance_metadata/save_process_instance_metadata",
             bpmn_file_name="save_process_instance_metadata.bpmn",
@@ -3115,11 +3131,35 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
                 "filterable": False,
             },
             {"Header": "Status", "accessor": "status", "filterable": False},
+            {"Header": "awesome_var", "accessor": "awesome_var", "filterable": True},
+            {"Header": "invoice_number", "accessor": "invoice_number", "filterable": True},
             {"Header": "key1", "accessor": "key1", "filterable": True},
             {"Header": "key2", "accessor": "key2", "filterable": True},
             {"Header": "key3", "accessor": "key3", "filterable": True},
         ]
 
+        # pluck accessor from each dict in list
+        accessors = [column["accessor"] for column in response.json]
+        stock_columns = [
+            "id",
+            "process_model_display_name",
+            "start_in_seconds",
+            "end_in_seconds",
+            "process_initiator_username",
+            "status",
+        ]
+        assert accessors == stock_columns + ["awesome_var", "invoice_number", "key1", "key2", "key3"]
+
+        # expected columns are fewer if we filter by process_model_identifier
+        response = client.get(
+            "/v1.0/process-instances/reports/columns?process_model_identifier=save_process_instance_metadata/save_process_instance_metadata",
+            headers=self.logged_in_headers(with_super_admin_user),
+        )
+        assert response.json is not None
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        accessors = [column["accessor"] for column in response.json]
+        assert accessors == stock_columns + ["key1", "key2", "key3"]
+
     def test_process_instance_list_can_order_by_metadata(
         self,
         app: Flask,
@@ -3128,7 +3168,7 @@ class TestProcessApi(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_process_instance_list_can_order_by_metadata."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/hello_world",
             process_model_source_directory="nested-task-data-structure",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_secret_service.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_secret_service.py
index 3e19607d..e12a1dd5 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_secret_service.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/integration/test_secret_service.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class SecretServiceTestHelpers(BaseTest):
 
     def add_test_process(self, client: FlaskClient, user: UserModel) -> ProcessModelInfo:
         """Add_test_process."""
-        self.create_process_group(
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(
             client,
             user,
             self.test_process_group_id,
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_group_members.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_group_members.py
index 3a128cff..685788c3 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_group_members.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_group_members.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class TestGetGroupMembers(BaseTest):
         UserService.add_user_to_group(testuser2, group_a)
         UserService.add_user_to_group(testuser3, group_b)
 
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             process_model_id="test_group/get_group_members",
             bpmn_file_name="get_group_members.bpmn",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_last_user_completing_task.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_last_user_completing_task.py
index 5f0e40d3..fcd8b641 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_last_user_completing_task.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_last_user_completing_task.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class TestGetLastUserCompletingTask(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_sets_permission_correctly_on_human_task."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
         AuthorizationService.import_permissions_from_yaml_file()
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_localtime.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_localtime.py
index 31d2aa69..9595c948 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_localtime.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_localtime.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class TestGetLocaltime(BaseTest):
             target_uri="/v1.0/process-groups",
             permission_names=["read", "create"],
         )
-        self.create_process_group(client=client, user=initiator_user, process_group_id="test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client=client, user=initiator_user, process_group_id="test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             process_model_id="test_group/get_localtime",
             bpmn_file_name="get_localtime.bpmn",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_process_initiator_user.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_process_initiator_user.py
index 84ac7c27..60a93f9a 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_process_initiator_user.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_get_process_initiator_user.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class TestGetProcessInitiatorUser(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_sets_permission_correctly_on_human_task."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
         AuthorizationService.import_permissions_from_yaml_file()
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_save_process_instance_metadata.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_save_process_instance_metadata.py
index d0202a64..bf64b21d 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_save_process_instance_metadata.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/scripts/test_save_process_instance_metadata.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class TestSaveProcessInstanceMetadata(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_save_process_instance_metadata."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             process_model_id="save_process_instance_metadata/save_process_instance_metadata",
             bpmn_file_name="save_process_instance_metadata.bpmn",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py
index 2d2f7baa..403c2323 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_message_service.py
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ class TestMessageService(BaseTest):
         group_name: str = "test_group",
     ) -> None:
         process_group_id = group_name
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
 
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/message",
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ class TestMessageService(BaseTest):
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_send_message_to_multiple_process_models."""
         process_group_id = "test_group_multi"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
 
         process_model_sender = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/message_sender",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_permissions.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_permissions.py
index b81164c1..f229bdf7 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_permissions.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_permissions.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class TestPermissions(BaseTest):
     ) -> None:
         """Test_user_can_be_given_permission_to_administer_process_group."""
         process_group_id = "group-a"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
         load_test_spec(
             "group-a/timers_intermediate_catch_event",
             bpmn_file_name="timers_intermediate_catch_event.bpmn",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py
index 9ccda1cb..37709197 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_instance_processor.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class TestProcessInstanceProcessor(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_sets_permission_correctly_on_human_task."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         finance_user = self.find_or_create_user("testuser2")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class TestProcessInstanceProcessor(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_sets_permission_correctly_on_human_task_when_using_dict."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         finance_user_three = self.find_or_create_user("testuser3")
         finance_user_four = self.find_or_create_user("testuser4")
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ class TestProcessInstanceProcessor(BaseTest):
     #     with_db_and_bpmn_file_cleanup: None,
     #     with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     # ) -> None:
-    #     self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+    #     self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
     #     initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
     #     finance_user_three = self.find_or_create_user("testuser3")
     #     assert initiator_user.principal is not None
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ class TestProcessInstanceProcessor(BaseTest):
         with_db_and_bpmn_file_cleanup: None,
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         finance_user_three = self.find_or_create_user("testuser3")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ class TestProcessInstanceProcessor(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_does_not_recreate_human_tasks_on_multiple_saves."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         initiator_user = self.find_or_create_user("initiator_user")
         finance_user_three = self.find_or_create_user("testuser3")
         assert initiator_user.principal is not None
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model.py
index 4d8e1b5b..22f92111 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ from spiffworkflow_backend.models.user import UserModel
 from spiffworkflow_backend.services.process_instance_processor import (
     ProcessInstanceProcessor,
 )
-from spiffworkflow_backend.services.process_model_service import ProcessModelService
 
 
 class TestProcessModel(BaseTest):
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ class TestProcessModel(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_run_process_model_with_call_activities."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/call_activity_test",
             # bpmn_file_name="call_activity_test.bpmn",
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@ class TestProcessModel(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_run_process_model_with_call_activities."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/call_activity_nested",
             process_model_source_directory="call_activity_nested",
@@ -84,7 +83,7 @@ class TestProcessModel(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_run_process_model_with_call_activities."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/call_activity_nested",
             process_model_source_directory="call_activity_nested",
@@ -120,20 +119,7 @@ class TestProcessModel(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_run_process_model_with_call_activities."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
-        process_model = load_test_spec(
-            "test_group/hello_world",
-            process_model_source_directory="nested-task-data-structure",
-        )
-        ProcessModelService.update_process_model(
-            process_model,
-            {
-                "metadata_extraction_paths": [
-                    {"key": "awesome_var", "path": "outer.inner"},
-                    {"key": "invoice_number", "path": "invoice_number"},
-                ]
-            },
-        )
+        process_model = self.create_process_model_with_metadata()
 
         process_instance = self.create_process_instance_from_process_model(process_model)
         processor = ProcessInstanceProcessor(process_instance)
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model_service.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model_service.py
index 79d52888..0ff8bf46 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model_service.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_process_model_service.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class TestProcessModelService(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_can_update_specified_attributes."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/hello_world",
             bpmn_file_name="hello_world.bpmn",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_restricted_script_engine.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_restricted_script_engine.py
index e0b1535d..330d115f 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_restricted_script_engine.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_restricted_script_engine.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class TestOpenFile(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_form_data_conversion_to_dot_dict."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/dangerous",
             bpmn_file_name="read_etc_passwd.bpmn",
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class TestImportModule(BaseTest):
         with_super_admin_user: UserModel,
     ) -> None:
         """Test_form_data_conversion_to_dot_dict."""
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, "test_group", "test_group")
         process_model = load_test_spec(
             "test_group/dangerous",
             bpmn_file_name="read_env.bpmn",
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_script_unit_test_runner.py b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_script_unit_test_runner.py
index 0fc3ee66..f5eef2e8 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_script_unit_test_runner.py
+++ b/spiffworkflow-backend/tests/spiffworkflow_backend/unit/test_script_unit_test_runner.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class TestScriptUnitTestRunner(BaseTest):
         app.config["THREAD_LOCAL_DATA"].process_instance_id = None
 
         process_group_id = "test_logging_spiff_logger"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
         process_model_id = "simple_script"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
         load_test_spec(
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class TestScriptUnitTestRunner(BaseTest):
         app.config["THREAD_LOCAL_DATA"].process_instance_id = None
 
         process_group_id = "test_logging_spiff_logger"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
 
         process_model_id = "simple_script"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class TestScriptUnitTestRunner(BaseTest):
         app.config["THREAD_LOCAL_DATA"].process_instance_id = None
 
         process_group_id = "script_with_unit_tests"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
 
         process_model_id = "script_with_unit_tests"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class TestScriptUnitTestRunner(BaseTest):
         app.config["THREAD_LOCAL_DATA"].process_instance_id = None
 
         process_group_id = "script_with_unit_tests"
-        self.create_process_group(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
+        self.create_process_group_with_api(client, with_super_admin_user, process_group_id, process_group_id)
 
         process_model_id = "script_with_unit_tests"
         process_model_identifier = f"{process_group_id}/{process_model_id}"
diff --git a/spiffworkflow-frontend/src/components/ProcessInstanceListTable.tsx b/spiffworkflow-frontend/src/components/ProcessInstanceListTable.tsx
index 335e6a89..870dc440 100644
--- a/spiffworkflow-frontend/src/components/ProcessInstanceListTable.tsx
+++ b/spiffworkflow-frontend/src/components/ProcessInstanceListTable.tsx
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ export default function ProcessInstanceListTable({
   const [endFromTimeInvalid, setEndFromTimeInvalid] = useState<boolean>(false);
   const [endToTimeInvalid, setEndToTimeInvalid] = useState<boolean>(false);
   const [requiresRefilter, setRequiresRefilter] = useState<boolean>(false);
+  const [lastColumnFilter, setLastColumnFilter] = useState<string>('');
 
   const processInstanceListPathPrefix =
     variant === 'all'
@@ -1105,10 +1106,18 @@ export default function ProcessInstanceListTable({
       return null;
     }
 
-    // get the columns anytime we display the filter options if they are empty
-    if (availableReportColumns.length < 1) {
+    let queryParamString = '';
+    if (processModelSelection) {
+      queryParamString += `?process_model_identifier=${processModelSelection.id}`;
+    }
+    // get the columns anytime we display the filter options if they are empty.
+    // and if the columns are not empty, check if the columns are stale
+    // because we selected a different process model in the filter options.
+    const columnFilterIsStale = lastColumnFilter !== queryParamString;
+    if (availableReportColumns.length < 1 || columnFilterIsStale) {
+      setLastColumnFilter(queryParamString);
       HttpService.makeCallToBackend({
-        path: `/process-instances/reports/columns`,
+        path: `/process-instances/reports/columns${queryParamString}`,
         successCallback: setAvailableReportColumns,
       });
     }