- Board certification in psychology is increasingly becoming a professional standard. Some institutions of higher education now require board certification for promotion to full professor in psychology, and some hospitals require all psychologists on staff to be board certified.
- It communicates to the public that board-certified psychologists have met rigorous professional standards and are committed to the highest level of competency in clinical health psychology.
- Some organizations, such as the Department of Defense and the Public Health Service, provide additional compensation for psychologists who hold board certification.
Candidates have one year to submit their practice samples. Once the practice samples have been approved, candidates may sit for the oral examination, which is offered three to four times per year, with at least two examination dates conducted virtually.
No, but there is a practice sample requirement and an oral examination comprising four components: Practice Sample Review, Standardized Clinical Case Assessment and Integration, Professional Issues and Identification, and Ethics.
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- Specialist Active Fee $210 – Specialists holding multiple certifications or a subspecialty have an additional fee of $50 (Total $260)
- Specialist Retired Fee $50 – Retired is defined as, “No longer derive income from working as a psychologist.”
Fees are subject to change upon approval of BOT.
Yes. Once your credentials have been approved and you have a draft of your practice sample or portfolio and professional statement, contact the President of the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology, who will connect you with a mentor. Mentorship is strongly recommended but not required. Mentors are experienced, board-certified clinical health psychologists who provide general guidance to help candidates complete the board certification process in a timely manner.
We do not offer a senior track or special considerations for experienced health psychologists. However, all candidates may select practice samples in program development, management, or consultation, which are often chosen by senior candidates to highlight their practice and contributions to the field. For more information, please refer to the ABCHP Candidate Manual.
Yes. You will earn 40 continuing education (CE) credits, including 3 in ethics, for passing the American Board of Professional Psychology oral examination.
Yes. Many board-certified clinical health psychologists identify as pediatric health psychologists, and we welcome applicants who work exclusively with children and/or adolescents. At all stages of the board certification process, clinical health psychology competencies can be demonstrated regardless of a candidate’s area of focus across the lifespan.
No. A Clinical Health Psychologist is not defined by the setting in which they work; but instead by their expertise in the prevention and treatment of disease and disability using psychological knowledge and methods. Psychologists without a health psychology focus, such as those with a traditional clinical focus or with another specialty care focus, do work in primary care settings, as well; however, the target of their interventions is primarily on mental health issues.
Regardless of the setting, Clinical Health Psychologists would consider the effects of behavior, social, and psychological factors on health and medical outcomes. We encourage psychologists working in primary care settings to review the Instructions for Practice Samples from Integrated Primary Care Settings in the Candidate Manual prior to submitting an initial application for candidacy to confirm that their work aligns with requirements to demonstrate Clinical Health Psychology practice.
The two organizations work closely together, and Division 38 members have voiced strong support for board certification in clinical health psychology. However, psychologists who are board-certified in clinical health psychology are strongly encouraged—but not required—to be members of Division 38.
Yes. Upon completion of ABCHP certification and confirmation of Division 38 membership, ABCHP will reimburse a portion of your certification fees.
If a specialist does not pay the required attestation fee, they will no longer maintain specialist status in ABCHP. Their status may be reinstated by completing the attestation and paying the renewal and associated fees.