ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION IN REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY

General Eligibility Requirement:

To attain board certification in a specialty, an applicant must meet the general and the specialty eligibility requirements, which include:

• A doctoral degree from a program in professional psychology, which at the time the degree was granted, was accredited by the APA, CPA, or was listed in the publication Doctoral Psychology Programs Meeting Designation Criteria. Applicants credentialed in the most recent directory of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, or the Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ), (ASPPB) qualifying as meeting the doctoral degree requirements.

• All ABPP candidates in the U.S., its territories or Canada must be licensed as a psychologist for independent practice at the doctoral level in a jurisdiction in the U.S., its territories or Canada. 

Specialty Specific Eligibility Requirements:

In addition to the above general requirements, each specialty requires appropriate education and training as the foundation for the specialty, and such post-doctoral preparation as necessary to meet the standards of the specialty.  This includes a recognized internship program; and:

Two years of supervised practice in Rehabilitation Psychology which can be satisfied by:
a. Two years of post-doctoral supervision, or
b. One year of pre-doctoral and one year of post-doctoral supervision, or
c. Completion of a recognized post-doctoral program in Rehabilitation Psychology.

At least three total years of experience in Rehabilitation Psychology, which can be satisfied by:
a. Three years of clinical experience, one of which may be predoctoral internship with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Psychology, or
b. One or two years of pre- and/or post-doctoral experience and successful completion of a recognized post-doctoral program in Rehabilitation Psychology.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR BOARD CERTIFICATION:

1. Complete and submit the application and fee to the ABPP Central Office.
2. Please note that the application requires submission of a copy of your current state or provincial psychology certificate/license.
3. Please have an official copy of your Doctoral graduates school transcripts sent directly to the ABPP Central Office.
4. Rating Forms (to be forwarded to the ABPP Central Office) from two supervisors, and two or three colleagues or peers, each of whom can attest to the nature, extent and quality of your experience and competence in rehabilitation psychology are required. Supervisors are expected to comment on the nature (clinical versus administrative) and length of supervision. These forms are included in the application.
5. Endorsement forms are required from at least two colleagues who are aware of the scope of your training and current functioning. These forms are included with your application and should be submitted to the ABPP Central Office with your completed application.