ABPP Forensic Psychology
ABPP Board Certification in Forensic Psychology
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The ABPP Forensic Psychology board certification is a specialty credential offered by the American Board of Professional Psychology, an organization whose stated mission is to serve the public by promoting quality psychological services through examination and certification of professional psychologists engaged in specialty practice. It is intended for licensed psychologists who already practice in forensic settings and who wish to have their competence in that specialty examined and publicly recognized; ABPP maintains a specialist directory that the public can use to verify certification. Because ABPP publishes only general application requirements at the organizational level, candidates should treat the specialty board itself as the authority on the specific assessment, treatment, legal-ethical, and consultation and testimony competencies it evaluates, and on its examination procedures. Preparation therefore combines deep, current knowledge of forensic assessment instruments and report writing, intervention with justice-involved populations, the legal and ethical framework governing forensic roles, and the practical demands of consultation and expert testimony. Study should be organized around those four competency areas, anchored in statutes, case law, and professional guidelines relevant to your jurisdiction, and rehearsed through mock oral examination practice with colleagues. This page offers original practice material and orientation only; it is independent of ABPP, is not affiliated with or endorsed by ABPP, and does not reproduce ABPP examination content. Verify all procedural details directly with ABPP and the Forensic Psychology specialty board before applying.
What you'll study
About ABPP Forensic Psychology preparation
What is ABPP forensic psychology board certification?
It is a specialty certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology for psychologists engaged in forensic practice. ABPP describes its mission as serving the public by promoting quality psychological services through examination and certification of professional psychologists in specialty practice. It is a peer-reviewed credential distinct from state licensure, not a license to practice.
Who should pursue it?
Licensed psychologists with substantial, documented forensic experience who want their specialty competence examined and publicly recognized. ABPP maintains a public specialist directory that consumers and attorneys can use to verify certification status. Candidates without a meaningful forensic caseload should build that experience first, since the examination assumes applied competence rather than textbook familiarity.
What does the exam cover?
Expect coverage across four competency areas: forensic assessment, forensic treatment and intervention, legal and ethical foundations, and consultation, testimony, and professional practice. Confirm the specialty board's current competency description and examination format with ABPP directly, because organizational-level pages do not publish specialty-specific item counts, time limits, or scoring rules.
How long is the exam and what is the passing score?
Those details are not published on the ABPP organizational pages used for this page, so no figures are stated here. Specialty boards revise formats and scoring periodically. Request the current candidate handbook from the Forensic Psychology specialty board and plan around the procedures described there rather than secondhand accounts.
What happens if I fail? Can I retake it?
ABPP does not publish a general retake policy on its organizational pages, so the specialty board is the authority. Ask about the number of permitted attempts, waiting periods, fees, and whether feedback is provided before you apply. Knowing the reapplication rules in advance helps you decide whether to attempt now or delay and strengthen your preparation.
How should I sequence my studying?
Start with legal and ethical foundations, since role boundaries, privilege, and informed consent shape every other domain. Then work through forensic assessment and intervention, which supply most of your concrete case material. Finish with consultation and testimony, practicing oral explanations of your reasoning. Integrate mock oral exams throughout rather than saving them for the final weeks.
Why do candidates struggle with the oral or testimony component?
Common failure modes are defending opinions rather than explaining reasoning, drifting outside the scope of the referral question, and being unable to articulate the limits of an instrument or method. Examiners probe the basis for conclusions, so practice stating what your data do and do not support, and acknowledge uncertainty plainly instead of overclaiming.
Is this page affiliated with ABPP?
No. This is independent study material produced by a separate platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and it does not reproduce ABPP examination content. Use it for orientation and practice only, and rely on ABPP and the specialty board for official requirements, fees, and procedures.