Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology
Credential: Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology
Credentialing Agency: American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
Renewal Period: 10 years
The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology credential is an advanced-level certification for professionals who provide psychotherapy, assessment, teaching, research, supervision, career development, and consultation. Counseling Psychologists provide professional psychological care to support personal and interpersonal functioning with a focus on individual, group, and community interventions for emotional, behavioral, vocational, and mental health problems using preventative, developmental, and remedial approaches, and in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychopathology. Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Counseling 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 Counseling Psychology
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 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.
Education REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are required to hold a doctoral degree, Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology that meets the standards set by the American Board of Counseling Psychology (ABCOP). For information about the standards set by the ABCOP see the Counseling Candidate Manual (downloads .docx file).
Experience REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have two years or more of post-doctoral professional experience.
Other REQUIREMENTS
The Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology credential has the following other requirements:
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Candidates for the Board Certified Specialist in Counseling 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, OR
- Met APPIC equivalency guidelines, OR
- Candidates are listed in the NRHSPP or CRHSPP Directories or hold the CPQ.
- Candidates are required to submit two Endorsement Forms from two psychologists. The ABCOP Endorsement Form may be accessed from the Counseling Document Library page.
Written Exam
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Required Foundational Competencies
- Professionalism
- Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment, Self-Care
- Scientific Knowledge and Methods
- Evidence Based Practice
- Relationships
- Individual and Cultural Diversity
- Ethical/ Legal Standards and Policy
- Interdisciplinary Systems
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Required Functional Competencies
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Consultation
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Selected Functional Competencies
- Research/Evaluation
- Supervision/ Training
- Teaching
- Management/Administration
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology examination:
- General References
RECERTIFICATION
Board Certified Specialist in Counseling Psychology
Renewal Period: 10 years