Emma V. Cole, PhD, ABPP, NCSP
Welcome to the American Board of School Psychology (ABSP) webpage. We appreciate your interest in specialty board certification in school psychology and hope that the available information is helpful. Pursuing board certification is one of the most important and rewarding professional decisions you can make. It is the highest level of certification in school psychology that you can obtain.
If you are licensed for independent practice in your state, have a doctoral degree in school psychology or a closely related area of professional psychology, professionally identify as a school psychologist, and have at least one year of post-licensure experience; please consider applying. Once your application is reviewed and your credentials are verified, you will be asked to submit a professional statement and two practice samples representing the functional competencies of psychology (e.g., assessment, intervention, consultation). We will offer to assign you a mentor who, among other support, may help you select appropriate practice samples and prepare your materials in an acceptable format. ABSP’s director of examinations will review your materials to determine that they are complete and in an acceptable format. If so, they will assign a three-member examination team to review and evaluate your professional statement and work samples to determine whether you are ready for the oral examination. Upon the examination team’s determination of successful completion of your practice samples, you and the examination team chair will arrange the oral examination at a mutually agreed time and location or virtually.
If you are a doctoral student or intern or have not yet obtained licensure, an Early Entry Program allows you to apply now at a reduced application fee. Once you have completed and documented the requirements for board certification, you are eligible to begin the certification process. I encourage university faculty and internship directors to inform their students of this early entry option and to apply for board certification themselves.
If you have any questions, please contact us. We are happy to arrange a video chat through Zoom for you to meet with board certified specialists to discuss the process and benefits of board certification and answer any questions you might have. We look forward to receiving your application and wish you all the best on this professional journey.
Emma V. Cole, PhD, ABPP, NCSP
President, American Board of School Psychology