The Certification & Examination Process
CERTIFICATION PROCESS: BRIEF OVERVIEW
Following verification by the ABPP Central Office (CO) of the doctoral degree, licensure, and professional standing (absence of current disciplinary actions), the application is forwarded to
the ABCP National Credentials Reviewer for specialty review. The Board of Trustees of the ABPP sets and verifies minimum generic standards for candidacy. The Board of Directors of
ABCP sets and verifies minimum specialty standards for Clinical Psychology. Once a person’s credentials have been approved, a practice sample needs to be submitted. The Candidate’s
Examination Committee reviews Practice Samples for substantive adequacy to determine the Candidate’s eligibility to sit for the oral examination. The same three member Committee who
approve the Practice Sample conducts the Oral Examination. The Oral Examination emphasizes the Candidate’s Practice Sample and competencies in the following specialty specific domains:
science base and application, assessment, intervention, consultation, and supervision/teaching/management (if applicable). The Examination also emphasizes competencies in the following cross-cutting domains: interpersonal interactions, individual and cultural diversity, ethics and legal foundations, and professional identification (i.e., involvement in the specialty of Clinical Psychology including awareness of current issues). Board Certification is achieved by successful completion of an examination, including both review of a document and an oral portion conducted by three or more members of an
examination committee comprised of board certified Clinical Psychologists. Candidates should expect the examination to cover Clinical Psychology competencies, as well as their own practice
of clinical psychology.
Please review the information in the following files regarding the various stages of the ABCP Examination Process:
Practice Samples Information ABCP (pdf)
Oral Examination Info ABCP (pdf)