American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology

Credential: Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology
Credentialing Agency: American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

Renewal Period: 10 years

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychologists. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychologists apply experimental-clinical approaches to understanding human behavior and develop interventions that enhance the human condition. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychologists engage in research, education, training, and clinical practice for a variety problems and populations. Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology credential must meet educational, experiential, training and other requirements, and must also pass the exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: Behavioral or Cognitive Psychology license/certificate requisite for the candidate's locale of practice
  • Experience
  • Education: Doctoral
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 10 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

514 East Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO  65101

Phone: (573) 634-5607

Email: ambra@abpp.org

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Candidates are required to have a license or certificate in psychology at the independent practice level by the State, Province, or Territory of the U.S. or Canada in which the psychologist practices. Exceptions to the residency requirement are made for active duty federal uniformed service psychologists when practicing in those roles.

Candidates are required to hold a doctoral degree, Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology that meets the standards set by the ABPP or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the degree was granted. For information about the standards set by the ABPP, see The American Board of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology Candidate Manual.

Candidates are required to have formal post-doctoral training program in cognitive behavioral psychology OR two years of postdoctoral experience predominantly in behavioral and cognitive psychology

The Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology certification must have internship experience that satisfies the following requirements:
    • One-year full-time or equivalent and 
    • Accredited by the APA
  • Candidates are required to have documentation of receiving supervision in behavioral and cognitive psychology. In some cases, supervision that is not part of a formal doctoral program can be substituted.
  • Candidates are required to have membership in an American Board of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology-approved organization; examples of approved organizations include and are not limited to Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).

Written Exam

Candidates may apply (and be examined) in one or more of four areas of emphasis: Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Therapy.

  • Foundational Competencies
    • Ethical and Legal Standards and Policy Foundations
    • Individual and Cultural Diversity
    • Relationships
    • Professionalism
    • Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self-Care
    • Scientific Knowledge and Methods
    • Interdisciplinary Systems
    • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Essential Functional Competencies
    • Assessment
    • Intervention
    • Consultation
    • Research/Evaluation
  • Optional Functional Competencies
    • Supervision
    • Teaching
    • Management-Administration
    • Advocacy

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology examination:

RECERTIFICATION

Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology

Renewal Period: 10 years

The Board Certified Specialist in Behavioral Psychology credential has the following recertification information:

To maintain the Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology certification, ABPP board certified specialists must: 
  • Complete an annual attestation and
  • Complete the documentation process of Maintenance of Certification (MOC) once every ten years.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Clinical Psychologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Clinical Psychologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Counseling Psychologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Counseling Psychologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - School Psychologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for School Psychologists
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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