The Application Process

​

Credentials Review (Stage I)

​

The Applicant submits the Application Form, fee, and credentials materials to the ABPP Central Office. The Central Office verifies the generic requirements including the degree, the license, and the internship.   The Central Office forwards the materials to ABCCAP for evaluation of specialty requirements.  If no decision can be reached, the Applicant may be asked for additional information.  Final specialty determination is sent to Central Office and the Applicant is so advised of the passage of Stage I.

 

Practice Samples (Stage II)

​

The Candidate then enters Stage II of the Examination Process, submits a fee for Stage II, and begins preparation of Practice Samples.  The practice samples must be received within 12 months.  Upon receipt of Practice Samples and the examination fee, ABCCAP, guided by the Candidate’s Professional Statement, selects a Chair for the Candidate’s Examination Committee and informs the Candidate.  The Candidate can disapprove for cause the selection within one week and request another selection.  Once appointed, the Chair works directly with the Candidate until the conclusion of the exam process.  The Chair selects two Board Certified Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologists for the Examination Committee and informs the Candidate who can disapprove for cause either or both of the selections within one week.  Once appointed, Practice Samples are provided to committee members and the committee of three oversees Stage II and Stage III  of the examination.

​

Please refer to the appropriate Exam Manual for detailed instructions on preparing the Practice Sample.

​

The Practice Sample is considered to be the integral second stage of the examination process and will be reviewed by the Examination Committee according to specified criteria. Committee members work independently of each other and vote on acceptability according to the criteria.  The Chair also votes.

1. If the Practice Sample meets the pass criterion (a minimum of two passing votes), the Candidate then proceeds to the oral portion (Stage III) of the examination.

2. If the Practice Sample does not meet the pass criterion, materials are returned to the Candidate specifically detailing the reasons for the failure and the examination process is terminated.

 

In such an event, the Candidate may re-apply for the examination from the beginning of the second stage (Practice Samples).  A new Examination Committee, including a new Chair, will be assembled to review subsequent Practice Samples.

 

Both samples must include copies of all source documents and contextual statements containing:

1. The rationale for the procedures used.

2. A reflective comment on the Candidate’s own behavior in the sample.

3. Any relevant events subsequent to the sample.

 

Candidates are encouraged to submit video samples that reflect their competence and expertise (typical rather than exemplary situations are expected) and which depict their interactive style with clients drawn from their typical practice.

​

Each Candidate will be asked “How did you handle the issue of confidentiality with your client when you decided to submit client material as part of your Practice Samples?”

 

Oral Examination (Stage III) 

 

To assure standardization of the examination process, the ABCCAP has established the following Stage III Oral Examination Day Schedule.  The general pace and sequence of topics provide flexible guidelines and may vary somewhat.

 

Within each segment there is room for variation according to the judgment of the examination committee.  Many topics will be inter-woven throughout the examination, related topics may enter into a given subject’s time period, and flexibility should be allowed if they are relevant to the discussion.  A topic may receive more cursory exploration in its scheduled time slot if it has been sufficiently covered earlier.