For up-to-date information, you can find that information on our ABPP Directory website by searching only ABRP psychologist.
Between the additions of newly board-certified specialists in Rehabilitation Psychology, current specialists completing their annual attestations on a rolling basis, and some previously board-certified specialists retiring, this precise number is constantly changing. You can find up-to-date information on our ABPP Directory website under the “Find a Certified Provider” tab.
The doctoral degree program must have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the degree was granted. Click here for “general requirements.”
Precise “general requirements”for consideration for board eligibility vary somewhat based on when your doctoral degree was conferred. If your doctoral degree was conferred in 2018 or later, the doctoral degree program must have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the degree was granted.
If your doctoral degree was conferred before 2018, and your doctoral degree program was APA or CPA-accredited at the time, it is deemed acceptable.
If the doctoral degree program was listed in the Joint Designation Program listing of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) / National Register (NR), it is deemed acceptable.
All others must complete the ABPP Standards Committee Doctoral Degree Program Review Form and must have included at least one full-time academic year of residency or the equivalent. The ABPP Standards Committee will make the determination of acceptability of the degree program.
Yes, you can. You will be expected to demonstrate specialty knowledge and application of that knowledge in the 32 (nine foundational, 23 functional) competency areas as well as any of the four supplementary competency areas (research, supervision, teaching, management/administration) that you practice in. To use a metaphor, the population or populations that you see are simply your canvas. The demonstration of the competencies themselves in the actual paint. It is possible to obtain specialty board-certification in Rehabilitation Psychology even if your area of specialization in this field of practice is “laser focused” on one population.
Although you do not need to be a member of Division 22 or any other specific Division or organization, part of the expectation is that you demonstrate a commitment to Rehabilitation Psychology through participation in organization(s) that are oriented towards understanding disability and disabling conditions.
The short answer is No, you do not need to be a member of Division 22 or any other specific Division or organization to obtain specialty board-certification in Rehabilitation Psychology; however, elements of some of the required foundational competencies include demonstrating a commitment to Rehabilitation Psychology through participation in organization(s) that are oriented towards understanding disability and disabling conditions. This can be demonstrated through involvement in any number of local, state, or national organizations whose missions are consistent with such values.
The Specialty Board recognizes that key supervisors may be unreachable for reasons such as retirement, relocation, and death. In such instances, the Specialty Board will work with the candidate to determine if supervisors other than those initially identified might be appropriate, or if there may be alternative means of documenting the supervision (e.g., through supervisory endorsements that are already on file with state licensing boards). In all circumstances, however, the ultimate responsibility for documenting supervision will rest with the applicant.
Clinical training is evaluated across graduate, internship, and postdoctoral settings. There is no requirement that one’s internship be specifically or exclusively focused on Rehabilitation Psychology.
Clinical training is evaluated across graduate, internship, and postdoctoral settings. There is no requirement that one’s internship be specifically or exclusively focused on Rehabilitation Psychology. There are, however, certain requirements regarding the accreditation status of the internship completed.
For internships completed in 2020 or later:
The internship program must have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time of completion of the internship.
Exceptions: Individuals who submit their initial application to ABPP before 2027 and complete their internship before 2026 will be considered if the internship was a member internship of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) or if the ABPP Standards Committee reviews the completed ABPP Standards Committee Internship Review Form and determines the internship to be acceptable.
For internships completed before 2020:
If the Internship program was APA or CPA-accredited, or was an APPIC member internship, it is deemed acceptable.
All others must complete the ABPP Standards Committee Internship Review Form. The ABPP Standards Committee will determine the acceptability of the internship.
As stated previously, clinical training is evaluated across graduate, internship, and postdoctoral (not just residency) settings and experiences. Multiple example Pathways for individuals to demonstrate the required Specialty Specific Requirements for eligibility for board certification in rehabilitation psychology are included in the ABRP Exam Manual found in the ABRP Document Library on the ABPP website.
Yes, you may solicit an endorsement from any professional who can attest to your Rehabilitation Psychology skills, expertise, and experience. However, please note that at least one endorser should be a psychologist who can specifically speak to your specialty knowledge in Rehabilitation Psychology.
Yes, you may solicit an endorsement from any professional who can attest to your Rehabilitation Psychology skills, expertise, and experience. However, please note that at least one endorser should be a psychologist who can specifically speak to your specialty knowledge in Rehabilitation Psychology.
No, rehabilitation psychologists practice in a variety of settings with a variety of populations. Your practice needs to be primarily the practice of Rehabilitation Psychology but not in any particular setting.
No. Rehabilitation psychologists practice in a variety of settings with a variety of populations. Your practice needs to be primarily the practice of Rehabilitation Psychology, but not in any particular setting per se.
Yes, you may apply, as long as you are licensed to practice psychology. It is preferred that one of your practice samples be a clinical case that you have seen within the past five years. However, all candidates must still display competencies in clinical skills relevant to rehabilitation psychology in the Oral Examination. If you serve in a clinical teaching role, it is possible to use case material from clients whose care you have supervised. Careful discussion with your mentor (see below) about using such a clinical case is recommended.
Yes, you may apply, as long as you are actively licensed to practice psychology; however, it is required that one portion of your practice sample be a clinical case that you have seen within the past five years.
All candidates must still demonstrate all required competencies in clinical skills relevant to the practice of rehabilitation psychology throughout both phases of the examination process (Practice Sample and Oral Examination). If you currently serve in other capacities (e.g., teaching, supervision, administration, research) also relevant to rehabilitation psychology, it is possible to devote one portion of your practice sample to discussing such efforts and how foundational and functional competencies are applied and demonstrated in this setting. An example of one such practice sample submission (Example Practice Sample #4) is available for review in the ABRP Document Library on the ABPP website. Careful discussion with your mentor (see below) about using non-clinical cases is recommended.
Between the additions of newly board-certified specialists in Rehabilitation Psychology, current specialists completing their annual attestations on a rolling basis, and some previously board-certified specialists retiring, this precise number is constantly changing. You can find up-to-date information on our ABPP Directory website under the “Find a Certified Provider” tab.
Precise “general requirements”for consideration for board eligibility vary somewhat based on when your doctoral degree was conferred. If your doctoral degree was conferred in 2018 or later, the doctoral degree program must have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the degree was granted.
If your doctoral degree was conferred before 2018, and your doctoral degree program was APA or CPA-accredited at the time, it is deemed acceptable.
If the doctoral degree program was listed in the Joint Designation Program listing of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) / National Register (NR), it is deemed acceptable.
All others must complete the ABPP Standards Committee Doctoral Degree Program Review Form and must have included at least one full-time academic year of residency or the equivalent. The ABPP Standards Committee will make the determination of acceptability of the degree program.
Yes, you can. You will be expected to demonstrate specialty knowledge and application of that knowledge in the 32 (nine foundational, 23 functional) competency areas as well as any of the four supplementary competency areas (research, supervision, teaching, management/administration) that you practice in. To use a metaphor, the population or populations that you see are simply your canvas. The demonstration of the competencies themselves in the actual paint. It is possible to obtain specialty board-certification in Rehabilitation Psychology even if your area of specialization in this field of practice is “laser focused” on one population.
The short answer is No, you do not need to be a member of Division 22 or any other specific Division or organization to obtain specialty board-certification in Rehabilitation Psychology; however, elements of some of the required foundational competencies include demonstrating a commitment to Rehabilitation Psychology through participation in organization(s) that are oriented towards understanding disability and disabling conditions. This can be demonstrated through involvement in any number of local, state, or national organizations whose missions are consistent with such values.
The Specialty Board recognizes that key supervisors may be unreachable for reasons such as retirement, relocation, and death. In such instances, the Specialty Board will work with the candidate to determine if supervisors other than those initially identified might be appropriate, or if there may be alternative means of documenting the supervision (e.g., through supervisory endorsements that are already on file with state licensing boards). In all circumstances, however, the ultimate responsibility for documenting supervision will rest with the applicant.
Clinical training is evaluated across graduate, internship, and postdoctoral settings. There is no requirement that one’s internship be specifically or exclusively focused on Rehabilitation Psychology. There are, however, certain requirements regarding the accreditation status of the internship completed.
For internships completed in 2020 or later:
The internship program must have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time of completion of the internship.
Exceptions: Individuals who submit their initial application to ABPP before 2027 and complete their internship before 2026 will be considered if the internship was a member internship of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) or if the ABPP Standards Committee reviews the completed ABPP Standards Committee Internship Review Form and determines the internship to be acceptable.
For internships completed before 2020:
If the Internship program was APA or CPA-accredited, or was an APPIC member internship, it is deemed acceptable.
All others must complete the ABPP Standards Committee Internship Review Form. The ABPP Standards Committee will determine the acceptability of the internship.
As stated previously, clinical training is evaluated across graduate, internship, and postdoctoral (not just residency) settings and experiences. Multiple example Pathways for individuals to demonstrate the required Specialty Specific Requirements for eligibility for board certification in rehabilitation psychology are included in the ABRP Exam Manual found in the ABRP Document Library on the ABPP website.
Yes, you may solicit an endorsement from any professional who can attest to your Rehabilitation Psychology skills, expertise, and experience. However, please note that at least one endorser should be a psychologist who can specifically speak to your specialty knowledge in Rehabilitation Psychology.
No. Rehabilitation psychologists practice in a variety of settings with a variety of populations. Your practice needs to be primarily the practice of Rehabilitation Psychology, but not in any particular setting per se.
Yes, you may apply, as long as you are actively licensed to practice psychology; however, it is required that one portion of your practice sample be a clinical case that you have seen within the past five years.
All candidates must still demonstrate all required competencies in clinical skills relevant to the practice of rehabilitation psychology throughout both phases of the examination process (Practice Sample and Oral Examination). If you currently serve in other capacities (e.g., teaching, supervision, administration, research) also relevant to rehabilitation psychology, it is possible to devote one portion of your practice sample to discussing such efforts and how foundational and functional competencies are applied and demonstrated in this setting. An example of one such practice sample submission (Example Practice Sample #4) is available for review in the ABRP Document Library on the ABPP website. Careful discussion with your mentor (see below) about using non-clinical cases is recommended.
A Mentor is a guide to help you understand the Board certification process. The Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology oversees the Mentoring Program. Once you have had your credentialed reviewed and approved and you have been invited to submit your Practice Sample, then you are eligible to request a Mentor from the ARP.
A mentor from the Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology (ARP), the fellowship of ABRP certified specialists, is available to assist the candidate for part or all the certification process. Mentorship is optional but strongly recommended.
The role of the mentor is to provide general guidance in the ABRP process and to assist with practice sample selection and preparation. If interested in seeking a mentor after credentials for both general and specific requirements are approved, email rpmentorship@googlegroups.com. This information is also provided to the Candidate in the letter confirming one has met both general and specific requirements for ABRP.
In addition to the option of using an Academy mentor, the Rehab Riff Raff is a peer-led study and accountability group for those pursuing specialty board certification in Rehabilitation Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). The Rehab Riff Raff provide additional accountability and support through both phases of the examination process. While not officially affiliated with either ABRP or the Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology, the Rehab Riff Raff nonetheless have consistently been mentioned as being an invaluable preparation resource by newly board-certified specialists. For more information, contact riffraffrehab@gmail.com.
There is no written examination. The board certification process through ABRP consists of only two phases, a Practice Sample submission and and Oral Examination.
The ABRP Board recognizes that special circumstances may be present for Rehabilitation Psychologists who have been practicing in the field for many years. Senior applicants are defined as a specialist applicant/Candidate who is 15 or more years post-licensure. The rationale of the Senior applicant category is to address the practical issues that might otherwise affect experienced practitioners’ ability to qualify for Board certification. For example, “senior” applicants may not have access to their former professors/mentors for completion of an Endorsement Form. In this circumstance, the use of alternatives such as a greater number of endorsements from colleagues, employers or supervisors may suffice.
Senior rehabilitation psychologists may have reached a point in their careers where they no longer provide or supervise direct services to clients. Psychologists who are serving solely in an administrative, management, or research capacity may not be eligible for Board certification in Rehabilitation Psychology. Board certification reflects clinical competence in the field, and thus all Candidates must demonstrate clinical competence through recent clinical work and examination. There is one level of certification resulting from the ABRP examination and there is no “distinguished” or “senior” descriptor. The criteria for a “pass” are the same for all Candidates. Senior applicants must meet the ABPP credential requirements (e.g., doctoral degree in psychology; license to practice psychology independently). Supervisor verification of training may be waived due to the length of time since training and the increased likelihood that supervisors may not be available, as noted above.
At least one portion of the Practice Sample must be clinically focused (direct patient care, or supervision of direct patient care), and other evidence of competency in the specialty may be used for the second portion of the Practice Sample (e.g., documentation of program development, articles, chapter, books, syllabi, or consulting). The Oral Examination is required for the senior process and is identical to – and thus as rigorous as – the Oral Examination for any Candidate. There is no “senior examination” as such, but an option to flexibly apply past educational requirements. The application and examination timelines described under the Exam Overview section in the ABRP Exam Manual found in the ABRP Document Library also apply to senior Candidates.
Absolutely not! The attainment of specialty board certification is simply another layer of consumer protection by demonstrating to yourself and your peers that you possess the essential foundational and functional competencies in your chosen field. The demonstration of this competence in no way requires the demonstration of elite skills or perfection.
The greatest spirit of attainment of specialty board certification is simply about demonstrating a commitment to being competent in (and maintaining) your abilities in your chosen field for the betterment of your patients and the field through a commitment to life-long learning.
Nope. Again, getting board certified does not require you to have an encyclopedic knowledge of every piece of research or literature ever written in the field. Nor does it require you to be so experienced that you feel your skills are elite. To borrow a common quote, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”
Many recent successful candidates in the board-certification process have been early career practitioners whose clinical training experiences throughout internship and residency are still fresh enough in their minds to possess the solid foundations necessary for attainment of board certification in rehabilitation psychology.
Yes! There are many Awards, Grants, and Scholarships that can be applied for and granted following successful completion of the board certification process to aid in offsetting initial costs of obtaining board certification. For additional information, see the Awards, Grants, and Scholarships section of the ABPP website.