Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology
Credential: Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology
Credentialing Agency: American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
Renewal Period: 10 years
The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for professionals who provide both general practice and health services within professional psychology. Clinical Psychologists provide professional services related to the diagnosis, assessment, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of psychological, emotional, psychophysiological, and behavioral disorders in individuals across the life-span. In addition to the generic requirements for board certification, the Clinical Psychology specialty requires completion of an organized doctoral education and training program in Clinical Psychology, including an internship, the specialty also requires postdoctoral supervised practice and related experience. Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology credential must also pass the exam.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology
The following DOD Civilian Occupations provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:
The following Federal Occupations provide training and/or experience that contribute to attaining this credential:
| Federal Occupation | Related As | |
|---|---|---|
| 0101 Social Science Series |  Some |
|
| 0180 Psychology Series |  Most |
|
| 0602 Physician | Some |
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite: Psychology license/certificate requisite for the candidate's locale of practice
- Experience: 2 years
- 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
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
Credential Pre-requisite REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology must be licensed as a psychologist for independent practice at the doctoral level in a jurisdiction in the U.S., its territories, or Canada.
Education REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology must hold a doctoral degree in professional psychology conferred by the American Psychological Association (APA), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or other ABPP-approved institution.
Candidates for the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology must meet one of two options:
- For candidates whose postdoctoral degree is in Clinical Psychology, ABPP requires that these individuals have three years of postdoctoral experience in clinical psychology including supervision sufficient for good standing with the individual’s state licensing board. At least one year must have been post-licensure at the independent level. Candidates must demonstrate professional identification as a clinical psychologist
- For candidates whose postdoctoral degree is not in clinical Psychology, ABPP requires that these individuals have five years of postdoctoral experience in clinical psychology including supervision sufficient for good standing with the individual’s state licensing board. Two of the five years must have been in a clinical setting with appropriate supervision by a licensed and credentialed doctoral level clinical psychologist (i.e., state, NCSP, ABPP). At least one year must have been post licensure at the independent level.
Experience REQUIREMENTS
Postdoctoral requirements for candidates considering the ABPP Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology include the following for individuals whose degree is from an APA or CPA accredited program in Counseling Psychology or a Combined Counseling/School Program:
- Successful completion of an APA or CPA accredited or APPIC member postdoctoral residency/fellowship program in clinical psychology, AND
- Demonstrated self-identification as a Clinical Psychologist and an expected continued identification with the specialty OR
- Three years post-doctoral experience as a Clinical Psychologist. One of the three years must have been supervised by a Clinical Psychologist, AND
- Demonstrates self-identification as a Clinical Psychologist and an expected continued identification with the specialty.
Other REQUIREMENTS
The Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology credential has the following other requirements:
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Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology certification must have internship experience that satisfies the following requirements:
- One-year full-time or
- Two-year half-time internship program
- And must be –
- Accredited by the APA or CPA, OR
- Listed in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Directory for the year in which the internship was completed.
Oral Exam Requirement
- Foundational Competencies
- Relationships
- Individual and Cultural Diversity
- Ethical and Legal Standards/Policy
- Professionalism
- Reflective Practice/Professional Self-Assessment and Self-Care
- Science, Knowledge, and Methods
- Interdisciplinary Systems
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Functional Competencies
- Assessment/Diagnosis/Conceptualization
- Intervention
- Consultation
- Optional Competencies (only assessed for those candidates whose work involves the competency)
- Research and/or Evaluation
- Supervision
- Teaching
- Administration/Management
- Advocacy
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology examination:
- General References
RECERTIFICATION
Board Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology
Renewal Period: 10 years
OTHER