Yes. Applicants that do not have a doctoral degree from an APA-approved doctoral program may demonstrate equivalency. Individualized exception reviews are available for individuals with degrees granted outside the U.S. or Canada, doctoral degrees granted prior to 1983, or for Applicants claiming equivalent doctoral degree and program requirements. The best contact to discuss this process is by calling ABPP Central Office or contacting the current ABPPSP National Chair of Examinations (NCE).
The first step is to consult the current version of the Examination Manual, found in the Document Library. This Manual lays out specific requirements for application. You may also consult the current ABPPSP National Chair of Examinations (NCE) found on the Officers page.
ABPPSP welcomes your application and we are glad to provide support. The current ABPPSP National Chair of Examinations can answer procedural questions. The ABPPSP Mentoring Coordinator can provide mentoring support and assist you with support throughout the application process. Mentorship is restricted to advice regarding (1) the selection of Work Sample material, (2) the conformance of the Professional Self-Study Statement to the required elements, and (3) conformance of the Practice Sample to the technical requirements. Permissible mentorship may also include the sharing of the mentor’s Practice Sample with the Candidate but is restricted to the Professional Activities, Continuing Education, Ethical Base, Complex Relationships, Individual/Cultural Diversity and Self-Assessment sections only. The Scientific Base, Legal Base, Evidence-Based Practice and Practice Standards sections of the PSSS must not be shared by the mentor with the Candidate. Candidates who fail a practice sample review or oral examination are free to disclose their candidate status to any ABPPSP board certified specialist to ask for mentoring to assist in the examination process. This must be disclosed to the National Chair of Examinations.
Applicants and Candidates may not indicate to anyone else that they are an Applicant or a Candidate for board certification by the ABPPSP and/or ABPP, nor may they do so on a résumé, CV, or any written or oral statement of qualifications. Additionally, neither the ABPPSP nor the ABPP use, authorize, or recognize the term “board eligible.” Applicants and Candidates may not use this term to represent any relationship or status with either Board, nor may Applicants or Candidates represent to any outside person or entity that they have met the minimum requirements as an Applicant or Candidate of the Boards. All candidates may disclose their candidate status to family members and work colleagues when withholding disclosure may be harmful to the personal or professional relationship (e.g., to a business partner when scheduling an oral examination, to a spouse). In no case may the disclosure be made to imply a qualification not yet attained.