Rehabilitation Psychology
Board Certification formally recognizes that a psychologist has the specialized knowledge and clinical skills required for rehabilitation psychology practice.
Psychologists enter the field through diverse training pathways. The options below are designed to help most qualified practitioners meet credentialing requirements and enter the Board Certification process as Candidates.
Pathway 1: Supervised Training
- 3 years of rehabilitation psychology experience
- Includes at least 2 years of supervised full-time experience (≥80%)
Supervision requirement may be met through:
- A 2-year APA-accredited or CRPPTP-member postdoctoral fellowship in rehabilitation psychology
OR - A 1-year internship (≥80% rehabilitation psychology)
plus a 1-year APA-accredited or CRPPTP-member postdoctoral fellowship
Note: Board Certification reflects clinical competence. Research-only postdoctoral training does not meet supervised clinical requirements.
Pathway 2: Supervised Post-Licensure Practice
- 3 years (or equivalent) of consultation and supervised post-licensure practice in rehabilitation psychology
- Supervision by a Board-Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist
- At least 60% of full-time work (based on a 5-day week) in rehabilitation psychology
Pathway 3: Practice + Continuing Education
- 5 years of rehabilitation psychology practice
- At least 60% of full-time work dedicated to rehabilitation psychology
Plus:
- 120 hours of continuing education in rehabilitation psychology (within the past 5 years)
CE Bonus:
Hours earned through:
- The joint midwinter meeting of ARP and APA Division 22, or
- ABRP/ARP-sponsored webinars or virtual trainings
→ Count double toward the 120-hour requirement
Questions or Non-Standard Pathways
Other training routes may also qualify.
If you’re unsure whether your experience meets criteria, contact a member of the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology.