Following a review of the manual and this website, which can answer most common questions, should you continue to require assistance in clarifying training requirements, you can contact the ABCCAP Credentials Reviewer listed on the ABCCAP Board Member page to discuss your situation before you apply.
As of June 1, 2022 all candidate steps are completed via the same ABPP candidate portal (login at: abpp.org). As candidates progress across Stage 1, 2, and 3 the candidate portal should provide up-to-date information and options for submitting all relevant materials (including video and written samples). If you have any questions, please contact the relevant exam coordinator.
Exams are routinely held on online meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams).
The Board aspires to conduct the oral exams in a collegial manner. You can expect that the examiners will pose questions about the specific features of the cases that you provided for your work samples. Typically, examinees are asked to put their cases in the context of supporting theoretical and scientific literature. Examinees should be prepared to present the rationale and support for their intervention, consultation, and assessment techniques. Examinees are encouraged to review the competency areas listed in the Exam Manual to get an idea of what areas are likely to be addressed.
The examination process assesses your awareness of current professional issues in clinical child and adolescent psychology, the scientific basis of your practice, your experience and clinical judgment, and your awareness of diversity issues and sensitivity to ethical, professional, and legal standards of practice. In the written materials and in the exam, you will have the opportunity to discuss the evidence base that informs your practice. There are a number of theoretical orientations that can inform practice in clinical child and adolescent psychology. The key is that you describe in detail the theoretical orientation that guides your professional work; your practice samples should demonstrate your professional behavior and actions that are congruent with this orientation.
Applicants have one year to submit their Stage 2 materials after credentials are approved. While many applicants complete the entire process within 12 months, the time required to complete Stage 3 (i.e., the oral examination) may be beyond one total year of the process, varying by several factors. Procrastination tends to be the biggest enemy of this timeline, and many times the procrastination sets in at Stage 2 of the process (i.e., submitting practice samples and supporting materials). Requesting a mentor can help candidates avoid procrastination and stay on track. If you are interested in having a mentor assigned, please submit the ABCCAP mentor request form.
If you already have an ABPP in another specialty, the $125 application fee for your clinical child application will be waived. Also, your general credentials from your prior application are kept on file for four years, so if you reapply within that timeframe you will only need to resubmit your specialty credentials. Finally, you will have to submit a novel practice sample consisting of clinical material or other work samples different from those submitted in support of your prior ABPP certification.
Should your location of practice not have access to video equipment (e.g., cameras in rooms or offices), you may use another video recording device, such as a tablet, smartphone, or webcam angled towards the session participants (i.e., both patients/family and yourself). Don’t forget to get signed authorization for the taping and for sending the video in for review.
The American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology is highly representative of professionals who identify as Pediatric Psychologists and Child Health Psychologists, and who are active in APA Divisions 54 and 38. Each exam committee is selected to be able to accurately assess the work that the candidate performs in their usual setting, including work done as a Pediatric Psychologist. This approach has resulted in approximately half of those certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology having a primary identity as a pediatric/child health psychologist.
Increasingly, board certification is being expected at institutions for initial appointment and for promotion and/or tenure. Like for our medical colleagues, board certification recognizes minimal competence in an area. Recent specialists in pediatric psychology are engaged in clinical work and research at a variety of children’s hospitals including Seattle Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Please see ABCCAP’s manual (https://abpp.org/application-information/learn-about-specialty-boards/clinical-child-adolescent/document-library/) for the most up-to-date details regarding processes and expectations.
Applicants who have passed the Stage I credential review can request to be paired with a mentor. Interested candidates should fill out the mentor request form. Mentors can provide general support and answer questions as applicants are preparing practice sample materials and preparing for the oral exam, although they do not review materials prior to submission.
Please contact the ABPP Central Office for general questions regarding the application process, generic review process, notification of results, and fees.
American Board of Professional Psychology
600 Market Street, Suite 300
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516
Telephone: (919) 537-8031; Fax: (919) 537-8034
Email: office@abpp.org
The following ABCCAP Board Members can assist with questions pertaining specialty certification:
ABCCAP Credentials Reviewer – The Credentials Reviewer can answer questions regarding the initial specialty credential review process.
ABCCAP Exam Coordinator – The Exam Coordinator can answer questions regarding the work sample submission and composition of the examination committee. The Candidate may contact the Exam Coordinator to request a mentor for guidance in preparing the work sample.
ABCCAP Examination Chair – The Examination Chair can answer questions regarding the work sample review and the oral examination process.
For a detailed list of board certified members and their contact information, please consult the ABCCAP Board Member page.
ABCCAP is not a for-profit organization and is supported by an entirely volunteer board of directors and bank of examiners. Fees for each stage of the ABCCAP process go toward advertising to potential candidates, recruitment and materials for examiner training, costs for in-person oral examinations, ABPP expenses related to processing our candidates, and other administrative expenses. A fiscally-mindful approach to ABCCAP processes is a central theme in board discussions, to keep costs as low as possible for candidates.
Updated: 09/25/26