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Idaho Psychologist — Requirements & Free Practice

US-ID · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Conditional Psychologist License

One-year conditional license that the Board may issue instead of denying licensure because of a relevant criminal conviction.

Licensing authority: Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners · Application information

Conditional initial licensure after criminal conviction review
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Board discretion
In lieu of denial because of a relevant criminal conviction, the Board may grant a one-year conditional license after considering section 67-9411 factors.
Initial qualifications
Meet the ordinary education, experience, application, and examination requirements; the conditional license addresses the criminal-conviction issue.
Probation
Comply with the probationary conditions imposed by the Board; failure results in revocation and denial of a full unrestricted license.
Reinstatement within five years after failure to renew
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Document compliance with timely-renewal requirements and any other division reinstatement requirements; pay the reinstatement fee and other required amounts.
Discretion
The division may reinstate under section 67-2614(9); this is not automatic reinstatement after discipline.
Lapse
Canceled for failure to renew no more than five years earlier.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Psychology licenses require 30 hours per two calendar years, including four laws-and-ethics hours; prescriptive credentials require an additional 30 psychopharmacotherapy hours per two years under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.06.
Military service
Section 67-2606 maintains a qualifying military-service license in good standing without renewal during service and for six months afterward; section 67-9416(5) provides continuing-education waivers or partial waivers during active duty.
Out of state residence
Section 67-9416(3)-(4) permits qualifying nonresident licensees to satisfy home-state continuing education, while retaining pre-July 1, 2024 Idaho-specific requirements; subsection (9) preserves conflicting compact requirements.
Renewal application
Submit the approved renewal application and fees and confirm compliance with applicable maintenance requirements, including payment of amounts due or compliance with a payment arrangement.
Status
The statutory one-year probation and conversion/revocation rule in section 67-9411(3) controls; general renewal does not extend that probation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Psychologist License

Idaho license to practice psychology. Examination, endorsement, universal licensure, and qualifying military pathways have distinct applicant conditions.

Licensing authority: Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners · Application information

Full licensure after successful conditional probation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Prior status
Hold the one-year conditional license issued under section 67-9411(3).
Successful probation
Successful completion of the probationary conditions requires the licensing authority to issue the full unrestricted license; failure causes revocation and denial.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement education and training
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Application
Complete application and statutory/Board fees are required.
Disciplinary history
No relevant criminal conviction and no revoked, suspended, or otherwise sanctioned license or certification under Idaho Code 54-2312.
Eppp part2 notice
The Board’s August 19, 2024 minutes state that it tabled decisions on EPPP changes; its public-comment notice describes a prospective January 2026 two-part change. The notice is a solicitation, not an Idaho adoption decision. The operative IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 names EPPP without a Part 2 requirement; this survey references the registered Part 1 version.
Exam implementation
IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 says: "Applicants will pass the National Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)." Section 54-2312 does not expressly exempt endorsement applicants from that rule; a previously passed currently offered examination remains a leaf under this contract.
Existing license
A United States or Canadian psychology regulatory board license or certification based on a doctoral degree is required.
Idaho law attestation
Certify under oath that Idaho psychology laws and rules and the APA code of ethics have been reviewed and will be followed.
Qualification
Meet section 54-2307(2) and Board endorsement, educational, and credentialing rules under section 54-2312(4)(b).
Licensure by endorsement professional qualification certificate
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Application
Complete application and statutory/Board fees are required.
Disciplinary history
No relevant criminal conviction and no revoked, suspended, or otherwise sanctioned license or certification under Idaho Code 54-2312.
Eppp part2 notice
The Board’s August 19, 2024 minutes state that it tabled decisions on EPPP changes; its public-comment notice describes a prospective January 2026 two-part change. The notice is a solicitation, not an Idaho adoption decision. The operative IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 names EPPP without a Part 2 requirement; this survey references the registered Part 1 version.
Exam implementation
IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 says: "Applicants will pass the National Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)." Section 54-2312 does not expressly exempt endorsement applicants from that rule; a previously passed currently offered examination remains a leaf under this contract.
Existing license
A United States or Canadian psychology regulatory board license or certification based on a doctoral degree is required.
Idaho law attestation
Certify under oath that Idaho psychology laws and rules and the APA code of ethics have been reviewed and will be followed.
Qualification
Hold a current Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology or a certificate of professional standing from a national credentialing entity approved by the Board by rule, under section 54-2312(4)(a).
Licensure by examination doctorate in psychology
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Application
Submit a complete application and required fees under Idaho Code 54-2307(4). Examination fees go directly to the national examining entity.
Criminal history
Satisfy the relevant-conviction standard in Idaho Code 54-2307(1), subject to section 67-9411.
Degree
Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited college or university under Idaho Code 54-2307(2)(a).
Education program
IDAPA 24.12.01.150 treats an APA-accredited doctorate as meeting its criteria; other professional-psychology programs must meet its training, curriculum, residency, practicum, and internship standards.
Eppp part2 notice
The Board’s August 19, 2024 minutes state that it tabled decisions on EPPP changes; its public-comment notice describes a prospective January 2026 two-part change. The notice is a solicitation, not an Idaho adoption decision. The operative IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 names EPPP without a Part 2 requirement; this survey references the registered Part 1 version.
Supervised experience
For psychology doctoral applicants, two years of acceptable supervised experience are required; one year may be predoctoral and one must be postdoctoral. IDAPA 24.12.01.200.01 defines each year as at least 1,000 hours over 12 to 36 months and requires at least one hour of weekly individual face-to-face supervision per 40 experience hours.
Waiver petition
Idaho Code 67-9415 permits a petition for waiver or variance subject to Board approval and conditions, but does not permit initial licensure without the statutory initial-license requirements.
Licensure by examination related field doctorate
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Application
Submit a complete application and required fees under Idaho Code 54-2307(4). Examination fees go directly to the national examining entity.
Criminal history
Satisfy the relevant-conviction standard in Idaho Code 54-2307(1), subject to section 67-9411.
Degree
Doctoral degree in a field related to psychology from an accredited college or university, with experience and training acceptable to the Board under Idaho Code 54-2307(2)(b).
Education program
IDAPA 24.12.01.150 treats an APA-accredited doctorate as meeting its criteria; other professional-psychology programs must meet its training, curriculum, residency, practicum, and internship standards.
Eppp part2 notice
The Board’s August 19, 2024 minutes state that it tabled decisions on EPPP changes; its public-comment notice describes a prospective January 2026 two-part change. The notice is a solicitation, not an Idaho adoption decision. The operative IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 names EPPP without a Part 2 requirement; this survey references the registered Part 1 version.
Supervised experience
The related-field route requires Board-acceptable experience and training; section 54-2307(2)(b) does not itself impose the precise two-year requirement in subsection (2)(a).
Waiver petition
Idaho Code 67-9415 permits a petition for waiver or variance subject to Board approval and conditions, but does not permit initial licensure without the statutory initial-license requirements.
New application after cancellation for more than five years
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Amounts due
Pay all amounts owed or establish compliance with a payment arrangement.
Competency
Meet division-determined competency requirements, which may include education, supervised practice, and an unspecified examination; practice elsewhere may be considered. The unspecified additional slot is a condition.
Current named exam
The currently offered registered examination identified for the corresponding new application remains a leaf; a prior passing result and the Board’s competency discretion are applicant conditions.
Lapse
Canceled more than five years; submit all forms and information and the fee required for a new application.
Reinstatement within five years after failure to renew
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Document compliance with timely-renewal requirements and any other division reinstatement requirements; pay the reinstatement fee and other required amounts.
Discretion
The division may reinstate under section 67-2614(9); this is not automatic reinstatement after discipline.
Lapse
Canceled for failure to renew no more than five years earlier.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Psychology licenses require 30 hours per two calendar years, including four laws-and-ethics hours; prescriptive credentials require an additional 30 psychopharmacotherapy hours per two years under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.06.
Military service
Section 67-2606 maintains a qualifying military-service license in good standing without renewal during service and for six months afterward; section 67-9416(5) provides continuing-education waivers or partial waivers during active duty.
Out of state residence
Section 67-9416(3)-(4) permits qualifying nonresident licensees to satisfy home-state continuing education, while retaining pre-July 1, 2024 Idaho-specific requirements; subsection (9) preserves conflicting compact requirements.
Renewal application
Submit the approved renewal application and fees and confirm compliance with applicable maintenance requirements, including payment of amounts due or compliance with a payment arrangement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Full licensure after universal limited scope practice
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Additional qualifications
Meet the additional education, training, and other requirements determined by the Board to qualify for the full Idaho scope.
Exam discretion
The existing examination that section 67-9409(4) permits the Board to require is EPPP under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01.
Prior status
Hold a limited license under section 67-9409(6).
Military, veteran, or spouse endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discipline disclosure
Disclose all current, pending, and subsequent disciplinary proceedings; the licensing authority may withhold, revoke, or condition the license.
Eligible person
Military member, former member discharged under honorable conditions, veteran, or spouse of such person.
Exam and application fee
Idaho Code 67-9406(4) prohibits requiring an examination or an application fee on the condensed military application.
Existing license
Validate current, valid, unrestricted licensure in another United States state, district, territory, military branch, or National Guard.
Processing
Use the condensed application; the procedure aims to grant endorsement within 15 business days when qualifications can be validated.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Universal licensure
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Competency
Demonstrate competency by Board-determined methods, submit an application and supporting documents, and undergo the ordinary background checks.
Exam discretion
Under section 67-9409(4), the Board may require all or part of its existing examination as needed to demonstrate competence; EPPP is identified by IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01.
Existing license
Current, valid, unrestricted licensure in another United States state, district, or territory.
Fees and maintenance
Pay ordinary licensing fees and satisfy applicable maintenance requirements.
Scope
The Board may grant a limited license when Idaho’s scope is broader, pending additional qualifications.
Universal work recognition
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Application
Complete an application and supporting materials and undergo ordinary background checks; pay the ordinary licensing fee.
Exam
Any required examination uses the same passing score as for ordinary applicants; the current psychologist rule identifies EPPP.
Experience
At least four years of work in the same profession with a similar scope, in a United States jurisdiction or the military where licensure was not required.

Limited Psychologist License

Limited-scope license available under military endorsement or universal licensure when Idaho’s scope is broader than the applicant’s existing licensed scope.

Licensing authority: Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners · Application information

Limited scope military endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Additional requirements
Additional education, training, and other Board-determined requirements apply; section 67-9406(5) permits a narrowly tailored examination to qualify for a full license, which is an unnamed slot on the separate conversion route.
Eligibility
Meet military endorsement eligibility and hold qualifying unrestricted licensure.
Scope difference
The Board may grant a limited license when Idaho’s scope is broader than the applicant’s prior licensed scope; practice remains restricted pending additional qualifications.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within five years after failure to renew
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Document compliance with timely-renewal requirements and any other division reinstatement requirements; pay the reinstatement fee and other required amounts.
Discretion
The division may reinstate under section 67-2614(9); this is not automatic reinstatement after discipline.
Lapse
Canceled for failure to renew no more than five years earlier.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Psychology licenses require 30 hours per two calendar years, including four laws-and-ethics hours; prescriptive credentials require an additional 30 psychopharmacotherapy hours per two years under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.06.
Military service
Section 67-2606 maintains a qualifying military-service license in good standing without renewal during service and for six months afterward; section 67-9416(5) provides continuing-education waivers or partial waivers during active duty.
Out of state residence
Section 67-9416(3)-(4) permits qualifying nonresident licensees to satisfy home-state continuing education, while retaining pre-July 1, 2024 Idaho-specific requirements; subsection (9) preserves conflicting compact requirements.
Renewal application
Submit the approved renewal application and fees and confirm compliance with applicable maintenance requirements, including payment of amounts due or compliance with a payment arrangement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Limited scope universal licensure
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Exam discretion
Section 67-9409(4) permits all or part of the Board’s existing examination to demonstrate competency; IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 identifies EPPP.
Existing license
Meet universal licensure eligibility with current valid unrestricted licensure outside Idaho.
Restricted scope
The Board may issue a license restricted to the prior licensed scope when Idaho’s scope is broader, until additional Board-determined education, training, and other requirements are met.

Provisional Certification of Prescriptive Authority

Supplementary provisional prescriptive credential for an Idaho-licensed psychologist, with physician supervision.

Licensing authority: Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners · Application information

Initial provisional prescriptive certification
Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists
Application
Submit the Board-approved complete application, supporting documents, and required fees.
Clinical training
Clinical experience sufficient for competent treatment of a diverse patient population, as determined by the degree-granting institution.
Doctorate
Accredited psychology doctorate from a United States Department of Education-approved regionally accredited institution.
Exam score
Pass the PEP; the passing score is determined by ASPPB under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.03.
Masters
Accredited clinical psychopharmacology master’s degree meeting section 54-2317(3), including at least two full-time equivalent didactic years, required biomedical preparation, and the specified basic-science, neuroscience, assessment, clinical-medicine, pharmacology, therapeutics, research, ethical, and legal curriculum.
Physician supervision
Supervision agreement with a qualifying licensed physician under section 54-2317(6); IDAPA 24.12.01.100.04 requires the agreed scope, consultation/emergency procedures, and at least four hours of one-to-one supervision per month and 48 per year.
Underlying license
Hold a current Idaho psychology license. That separately held credential is an applicant condition, not a new EPPP requirement of this supplementary certification.
New application after cancellation for more than five years
Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists
Amounts due
Pay all amounts owed or establish compliance with a payment arrangement.
Competency
Meet division-determined competency requirements, which may include education, supervised practice, and an unspecified examination; practice elsewhere may be considered. The unspecified additional slot is a condition.
Current named exam
The currently offered registered examination identified for the corresponding new application remains a leaf; a prior passing result and the Board’s competency discretion are applicant conditions.
Lapse
Canceled more than five years; submit all forms and information and the fee required for a new application.
Reinstatement within five years after failure to renew
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Document compliance with timely-renewal requirements and any other division reinstatement requirements; pay the reinstatement fee and other required amounts.
Discretion
The division may reinstate under section 67-2614(9); this is not automatic reinstatement after discipline.
Lapse
Canceled for failure to renew no more than five years earlier.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Psychology licenses require 30 hours per two calendar years, including four laws-and-ethics hours; prescriptive credentials require an additional 30 psychopharmacotherapy hours per two years under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.06.
Military service
Section 67-2606 maintains a qualifying military-service license in good standing without renewal during service and for six months afterward; section 67-9416(5) provides continuing-education waivers or partial waivers during active duty.
Out of state residence
Section 67-9416(3)-(4) permits qualifying nonresident licensees to satisfy home-state continuing education, while retaining pre-July 1, 2024 Idaho-specific requirements; subsection (9) preserves conflicting compact requirements.
Renewal application
Submit the approved renewal application and fees and confirm compliance with applicable maintenance requirements, including payment of amounts due or compliance with a payment arrangement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Senior Psychologist License

License available to qualifying psychologists with at least twenty years of doctoral-level licensure.

Licensing authority: Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners · Application information

Senior psychologist initial issuance
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Application
Submit a complete application and required fees.
Attestation
Certify under oath that Idaho psychology laws and rules and the APA code of ethics have been reviewed and will be followed.
Continuing education
Document compliance with the practice jurisdiction’s continuing education requirements for each of the five preceding calendar years.
Discipline
No disciplinary action within the preceding seven years and no voluntary surrender of a psychology license; no relevant criminal conviction.
Exam implementation
IDAPA 24.12.01.100.01 says: "Applicants will pass the National Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)." Section 54-2312A does not expressly exempt senior applicants from that rule; a previously passed currently offered examination remains a leaf under this contract.
Licensure history
Maintain a valid doctoral-based psychology license in the United States or Canada for at least 20 years.
Practice
Document psychology practice for five of the seven years immediately before application.
New application after cancellation for more than five years
EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)
Amounts due
Pay all amounts owed or establish compliance with a payment arrangement.
Competency
Meet division-determined competency requirements, which may include education, supervised practice, and an unspecified examination; practice elsewhere may be considered. The unspecified additional slot is a condition.
Current named exam
The currently offered registered examination identified for the corresponding new application remains a leaf; a prior passing result and the Board’s competency discretion are applicant conditions.
Lapse
Canceled more than five years; submit all forms and information and the fee required for a new application.
Reinstatement within five years after failure to renew
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Document compliance with timely-renewal requirements and any other division reinstatement requirements; pay the reinstatement fee and other required amounts.
Discretion
The division may reinstate under section 67-2614(9); this is not automatic reinstatement after discipline.
Lapse
Canceled for failure to renew no more than five years earlier.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Psychology licenses require 30 hours per two calendar years, including four laws-and-ethics hours; prescriptive credentials require an additional 30 psychopharmacotherapy hours per two years under IDAPA 24.12.01.100.06.
Military service
Section 67-2606 maintains a qualifying military-service license in good standing without renewal during service and for six months afterward; section 67-9416(5) provides continuing-education waivers or partial waivers during active duty.
Out of state residence
Section 67-9416(3)-(4) permits qualifying nonresident licensees to satisfy home-state continuing education, while retaining pre-July 1, 2024 Idaho-specific requirements; subsection (9) preserves conflicting compact requirements.
Renewal application
Submit the approved renewal application and fees and confirm compliance with applicable maintenance requirements, including payment of amounts due or compliance with a payment arrangement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge)

Provider
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB); delivered by Pearson VUE at Pearson Professional Centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination; each item has three or four possible responses, only one of which is correct; the score is the number of correct responses. A French form (FEPPP) is available only to candidates whose licensing authorities legally require a French form.
Exam questions
225 items: 175 scored and 50 unscored pretest items
Time limit
4 hours and 15 minutes for completion of the exam items
Passing score
Scaled score (200-800 scale); ASPPB recommended passing scores of 500 for independent practice and 450 for supervised practice; each licensing authority sets its own passing standard
Exam fee
$600 USD exam fee per sitting plus $91.88 test sitting fee (English EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge))
Examination outline
  • Domain 1. Biological Bases of Behavior (10%)
    • KN1. Functional correlates and determinants of the neurobiological and genetic bases of behavior pertaining to perception, cognition, personality, and mood and affect in normal, acute and chronic neurobehavioral disease processes and disease comorbidities
    • KN2. Drug classification, mechanisms of action, and desired/adverse effects of therapeutic agents, drugs of abuse, and complementary or alternative agents
    • KN3. Results from major trials and general guidelines for pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and combined treatment of psychological disorders
    • KN4. Behavioral genetics, transmission and expression of genetic information and its modification, and the role and limitations of this information in understanding disorders
    • KN5. Applications of structural and functional brain imaging methods, electrophysiological methods, therapeutic drug monitoring methods, and genetic screening methodologies, and the evidence for their effectiveness
  • Domain 2. Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior (13%)
    • KN6. Major research‐based theories and models of intelligence and their application
    • KN7. Major research-based theories, models, and principles of learning and their application
    • KN8. Major research‐based theories and models of memory and their application
    • KN9. Major research‐based theories and models of motivation and their application
    • KN10. Major research-based theories and models of emotion and their application
    • KN11. Elements of cognition, including sensation and perception, attention, language, information processing, visual-spatial processing, executive functioning
    • KN12. Relations among cognitions/beliefs, behavior, affect, temperament, and mood
    • KN13. Influence of psychosocial factors on cognitions/beliefs and behaviors
  • Domain 3. Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior (11%)
    • KN14. Major research‐based theories and models of social cognition (e.g., person perception, development of stereotypes, prejudice)
    • KN15. Social interaction and relationships (e.g., attraction, aggression, altruism, organizational justice, verbal and non‐verbal communication, internet communication, mate selection, empathy)
    • KN16. Group and systems processes (e.g., school, work, and family systems, job satisfaction, team functioning, conformity, persuasion) and social influences on functioning
    • KN17. Major research‐based personality theories and models
    • KN18. Cultural and sociopolitical psychology (e.g., privilege, cross‐cultural comparisons, political differences, international and global awareness, religiosity and spirituality, acculturation)
    • KN19. Identity diversity and intersectionality (e.g., psychological impact of diversity on individuals, families, and systems)
    • KN20. Causes, manifestations, and effects of oppression
  • Domain 4. Growth and Lifespan Development (12%)
    • KN21. Normal growth and development across the lifespan
    • KN22. Influence of individual‐environment interaction on development over time (e.g., the relationship between the individual and the social, academic, work, community environment)
    • KN23. Major research‐based theories and models of development
    • KN24. Influence of diverse identities on development
    • KN25. Family development, configuration, and functioning and their impact on the individual across the lifespan
    • KN26. Life events that can influence the course of development across the lifespan
    • KN27. Risk and protective factors that may impact a developmental course (e.g., nutrition, prenatal care, health care, social support, socioeconomic status, abuse, victimization, and resiliency)
    • KN28. Disorders and diseases that impact the expected course of development over the lifespan
  • Domain 5. Assessment and Diagnosis (16%)
    • KN29. Psychometric theories, item and test characteristics, test construction and standardization procedures, reliability and validity, sensitivity and specificity, and test fairness and bias
    • KN30. Assessment theories and models (e.g., developmental, behavioral, ecological, neuropsychological)
    • KN31. Assessment methods and their strengths and limitations (e.g., self‐report, multi-informant reports, psychophysiological measures, work samples, assessment centers, direct observation, structured and semi‐structured interviews)
    • KN32. Commonly used instruments for the measurement of characteristics and behaviors of individuals and their appropriate use with various populations
    • KN33. Issues of differential diagnosis and integration of non‐psychological information into psychological assessment
    • KN34. Instruments and methods appropriate for the assessment of groups and organizations (e.g., program evaluation, needs assessment, organizational and personnel assessment)
    • KN35. Criteria for selection and adaptation of assessment methods (e.g., evidenced-based knowledge of assessment limitations, cultural appropriateness, trans‐cultural adaptation, and language accommodations)
    • KN36. Classification systems and their underlying rationales and limitations for evaluating client functioning; dimensional vs. categorical approaches to diagnosis
    • KN37. Factors influencing evidence-based interpretation of data and decision‐making (e.g., base rates, group differences, cultural biases and differences, heuristics)
    • KN38. Constructs of epidemiology and base rates of psychological and behavioral disorders
    • KN39. Major research-based theories and models of psychopathology
    • KN40. Measurement of outcomes and changes due to prevention or intervention efforts with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations
    • KN41. Use of technology in implementing tests, surveys, and other forms of assessment and diagnostic evaluation (e.g., validity, cost-effectiveness, consumer acceptability)
  • Domain 6. Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention and Supervision (15%)
    • KN42. Factors related to treatment or intervention decision-making (e.g., relevant research, matching treatment to assessment/diagnosis, matching client or patient with psychologist characteristics, knowledge and use of allied services, cost and benefit, readiness to change)
    • KN43. Contemporary research-based theories and models of treatment, intervention, and prevention
    • KN44. Treatment techniques and interventions and the evidence for their comparative efficacy and effectiveness
    • KN45. Methods and their evidence base for prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation with diverse and special populations
    • KN46. Interventions to enhance growth and performance of individuals, couples, families, groups, systems, and organizations
    • KN47. Research-based consultation models and processes
    • KN48. Research-based models of vocational and career development
    • KN49. Telepsychology and technology‐assisted psychological services
    • KN50. Healthcare systems, structures, and economics, and how these impact intervention choice
    • KN51. Approaches to health promotion, risk reduction, resilience, and wellness
    • KN52. Contemporary theories and models of supervision and their evidence base
  • Domain 7. Research Methods and Statistics (7%)
    • KN53. Sampling and data collection methods
    • KN54. Design of case, correlational, quasi‐experimental, and experimental studies
    • KN55. Analytic methods, including qualitative (e.g., thematic, phenomenological) and quantitative (e.g., probability theory; descriptive, inferential, and parametric statistics; meta-analysis; factor analysis; causal modeling)
    • KN56. Statistical interpretation (e.g., power, effect size, causation vs. association, clinical vs. statistical significance)
    • KN57. Critical appraisal and application of research findings (e.g., adequacy of design and statistics, limitations to generalizability, threats to internal and external validity, design flaws, level of evidence)
    • KN58. Evaluation strategies and techniques (e.g., needs assessment, process and implementation evaluation, formative and summative program evaluation, outcome evaluation, cost‐benefit analysis)
    • KN59. Considerations regarding community involvement and participation in research
    • KN60. Dissemination and presentation of research findings
  • Domain 8. Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues (16%)
    • KN61. Current ethical principles and codes for psychologists (APA, CPA)
    • KN62. Professional standards and relevant guidelines for the practice of psychology (e.g., standards for educational and psychological testing)
    • KN63. Laws, statutes, and judicial decisions that affect psychological practice
    • KN64. Identification and management of potential ethical issues
    • KN65. Models of ethical decision‐making
    • KN66. Approaches for continuing professional development
    • KN67. Emerging social, legal, ethical, and policy issues and their impact on psychological practice
    • KN68. Client and patient rights
    • KN69. Ethical issues in the conduct of research
    • KN70. Ethical issues in supervision
    • KN71. Ethical issues in technology-assisted psychological services
Examination sources

Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists

Provider
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB); administered on computer at Kryterion Testing Network centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination requiring recall of information, analysis, and judgment; offered in person at Kryterion test centers, not online
Exam questions
200 multiple-choice items: 150 scored and 50 experimental (pretest) items
Time limit
4 hours
Passing score
Criterion-referenced cut score set by a modified Angoff approach; the score is the number of items answered correctly represented as a percentage
Exam fee
$700 exam fee plus $125 test center fee
Examination outline
  • Content Area 1: Integrating Clinical Psychopharmacology with the Practice of Psychology — Refers to integrating clinical psychopharmacology with the practice of psychology (7.3%)
    • Knowledge of biopsychosocial variables as determinants of medication utilization and effects (e.g., age, gender, family history, patient belief systems/ culture, economics/ poverty, social support, current environmental circumstances).
    • Knowledge of limitations and benefits, patient perceptions (including help-seeking attitudes), and treatment expectations regarding psychopharmacological and psychological interventions as sole, additive, or interactive treatments for given disorders and functional impairments.
    • Knowledge of practitioner-patient partnership for case and medication management, including the impact on patient education, medication adherence, the effectiveness of treatment, adverse effects and response to side effects, and implications for the relationship when psychosocial and pharmacological interventions are utilized (e.g., ethnicity/culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic factors, religion, refugee status).
    • Knowledge of the development and implementation of a coherent and organized integrated treatment plan of psychosocial, cultural (including the participation of traditional healers when appropriate), and pharmacological interventions with attention to comorbidities, as well as evidence-based developments in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.
  • Content Area 2: Neuroscience — Refers to the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the nervous system and its interfaces with other major body systems. (6.7%)
    • Knowledge of cellular and molecular nervous system biology and regulatory processes (e.g., neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems, up and down-regulation, tolerance/cross-tolerance) needed to understand the pharmacological effect of medications.
    • Knowledge of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
    • Knowledge of neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity.
    • Knowledge of the major neuronal pathways and their functions, and associated messenger systems.
  • Content Area 3: Nervous System Pathology — Refers to disorders of the nervous system resulting in abnormal function or behavioral/ mood disruption. Includes biochemical, structural (congenital or acquired), or neurophysiological abnormalities and their impact on other body systems. (11.3%)
    • Knowledge of etiological factors and diagnosis of dementia, delirium, and other cognitive and neurological disorders.
    • Knowledge of etiological factors and diagnosis of chronic pain, including headache (e.g., migrainous vs. non-migrainous headache), neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia; and the role of the CNS in pain experience and management.
    • Knowledge of etiological factors and diagnosis of sleep disorders.
    • Knowledge of common idiopathic movement disorders, their etiological factors, signs, symptoms, and diagnosis (e.g., Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Tourette’s syndrome).
    • Knowledge of common iatrogenic or drug-induced movement disorders, their etiological factors, signs, symptoms, and diagnosis (e.g., extrapyramidal symptoms, dystonias, dyskinesias, akathisia, Dystonic Tremors (DTs)).
    • Knowledge of etiological factors and categories of seizure disorders.
    • Knowledge of traumatic brain injury and post-concussive or post-concussion syndrome and its impact on prescriptive decisions.
    • Knowledge of nervous system pathology (e.g., multiple sclerosis, infectious diseases, exposure to environmental neurotoxins, neoplasms, intellectual/developmental disabilities).
    • Knowledge of basic indications for neurodiagnostic imaging and testing (e.g., EEG, CT, MRI, neuropsychological).
  • Content Area 4: Physiology and Pathophysiology — Refers to normal physiology and pathophysiology across the life span, and their impact on psychological functioning and psychopharmacology. (16%)
    • Knowledge of indications for referral to other health care providers for assessment or treatment when organ system pathology is indicated.
    • Knowledge at a functional level of cardiovascular system physiology and pathophysiology across the life span (e.g., rhythm and rate disorders such as prolonged QT interval), and their relationship to psychopharmacology and psychopathology (e.g., blood pressure changes secondary to psychotropic medication; mitral valve prolapse related to panic disorder).
    • Knowledge at a functional level of pulmonary system physiology and pathophysiology across the life span, and their relationships to psychopharmacology and psychopathology (e.g., beta blockers and asthma, respiratory suppression with CNS depressants).
    • Knowledge of etiological factors and diagnosis of central nervous system vascular disorders (e.g., cerebral vascular accidents, transient ischemic attacks).
    • Knowledge at a functional level of renal/genitourinary system physiology and pathophysiology across the life span, and their relationships to psychopharmacology and psychopathology (e.g., the effect of psychotropic substances on urinary/sexual functioning; role in excretion of wastes and medications; valproic acid and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); lithium and renal functioning).
  • Content Area 5: Biopsychosocial and Pharmacologic Assessment and Monitoring — Refers to a range of biopsychosocial (psychological, neurological, behavioral, physical, biomedical) and pharmacologic assessment techniques and procedures for baseline and ongoing evaluation of the individual’s physical and psychological health status as well as the assessment of therapeutic efficacy, adverse effects, contraindications for drug usage, drug interactions, and appropriateness for medication continuation, modification, or discontinuation. (6%)
    • Knowledge of individual and family history-taking procedures and psychological assessments that provide information relevant to prescribing (e.g., review of systems, dietary habits, mental status, behavioral observations, developmental history, social history, academic history, family medical and psychiatric history (including knowledge of diversity-related variations in the incidence/ prevalence of disorders), history of sexually transmitted disease and history of the general level of functioning).
    • Knowledge of basic physical and neurological examination procedures (e.g., history and physical examination (HPE); review of systems (ROS)) and variations in these procedures for special populations (e.g., ethnicity and estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR)).
    • Knowledge of appropriate laboratory tests and assessment procedures before prescribing particular medications (e.g., the implication of disease states, gender, ethnicity, sample timing, and potential effects of medications on those values) and ongoing during treatment (e.g., therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for lithium blood levels, white blood cell monitoring with clozapine use).
    • Knowledge of behavioral assessment methods (e.g., rating scales, direct observation of behaviors, parent/ teacher/self-report) at baseline and ongoing monitoring for therapeutic effectiveness, quality of life, and adverse effects of psychopharmacological agents (e.g., akathisia with antipsychotics and SSRIs; rating scales for ADHD; Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for cognitive function; Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale for global response to treatment).
  • Content Area 6: Differential Diagnosis — Refers to the use of comprehensive diagnostic information about a patient to establish an accurate diagnosis from among possible medical and psychological diagnoses to select appropriate treatment modalities and determine the appropriateness of referral to other health care providers. (10%)
    • Knowledge of medical disorders and their most common symptoms that may also present with psychological symptoms (e.g., ADHD versus PKU versus autism, anxiety versus Graves’ disease, dementia versus depression in the elderly; depression as a primary disorder vs. a prodromal sign of underlying cancer; personality changes in the elderly vs. dementia).
    • Knowledge of psychological signs and symptoms (e.g., mental status changes, memory dysfunction, depression, psychosis) secondary to substances of abuse, prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, most commonly used herbal remedies that have psychological effects, and dietary supplements.
    • Knowledge of the psychopharmacological treatment implications related to mental health disorders with multiple symptoms (e.g., one disorder with multiple symptoms vs. comorbid disorders with related symptoms: major depressive disorder with psychotic features vs. major depressive disorder and schizophrenia; anxious depression vs. anxiety disorder and dysthymia; bipolar vs. psychotic depression; behavioral health disorders and substance use disorders).
    • Knowledge of iatrogenic effects of medication versus primary symptoms of disease course (e.g., akathisia versus anxiety; anticholinergic effects versus dementia; medication-induced tremor versus idiopathic movement disorders).
  • Content Area 7: Pharmacology — Refers to the interactions of drugs with biophysiological systems; encompasses pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, and the epidemiology of various medications such as psychotropics, adjunctive agents, and other medications used in the practice of medicine, as well as substances of abuse, OTC products, and food and dietary supplements. The influence of cultural/ethnic factors, environmental factors, and responses of special populations are considered. (12.7%)
    • Knowledge of drug classifications for psychotropic and adjunctive medications (e.g., stimulants, sedatives, antidepressants, anticholinergics), major drug categories used to treat common medical disorders (e.g., antibiotics), OTC medications, herbals, and substances of abuse.
    • Knowledge of pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g., absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) and how each phase affects drug action (e.g., delayed-release preparations, routes of administration, area under the curve, lipophilicity and drug transit across membrane barriers, CYP enzymes, drug/drug and drug/food interactions, routes of clearance).
    • Knowledge of pharmacodynamic changes caused by medications (receptor up/down regulation; transcription).
    • Knowledge of the importance of biological half-life in determining steady state drug concentrations, dosing schedules, accumulation, and toxicity.
    • Knowledge of drug properties and characteristics (e.g., therapeutic index, therapeutic blood levels/ prescription doses, potency, bioavailability, efficacy, cognitive and behavioral manifestations of toxicity, dose response relationships).
    • Knowledge of types of drugs/receptor interactions (e.g., direct and indirect agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, competitive vs. non-competitive antagonism and agonism).
    • Knowledge of the relationship between neurotransmitters and their receptor targets and the behavioral effects of stimulation vs. inhibition (e.g., 5HT1A and anxiety, beta blockers and performance anxiety, D2 and psychosis; histamine and sedation; ACh and memory).
    • Knowledge of the mechanism of action of common therapeutic agents (e.g., receptor stimulation/inhibition; receptor up/down regulation; tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal).
    • Knowledge of the theoretical relationship between neurotransmitter systems and psycho-pathological conditions (e.g., serotonin and norepinephrine in depression, dopamine in psychosis and substance abuse; dopamine in Parkinson’s disease; acetylcholine in Alzheimer’s disease).
    • Knowledge of the factors (e.g., biological, ethnic, pharmacodynamic, genetic, pharmacokinetic) related to intra- and inter-individual responses to medications (e.g., variation of blood levels to the same dose across individuals, change in responsiveness within the same individual across administrations of same drug [e.g., pregnancy, obesity, age]).
    • Knowledge of drug-induced disease, dysfunction, and adverse reactions (e.g., hepatotoxicity, agranulocytosis, dystonias).
  • Content Area 8: Clinical Psychopharmacology — Refers to the application of pharmacology to the management of psychological/behavioral disorders. This includes indications, contradictions, dosing, adverse effects and toxicities of psychotropic and adjunctive medications, interactions with other medications (including other drugs used in medicine for recreational purposes, and available for OTC purchase) as well as the management of adverse reactions, overdoses, and toxicities. (16%)
    • Knowledge of indications and contraindications for various psychotropic medications, including use of multiple medications both on and off label.
    • Knowledge of decision-making strategies for psychotropic medication selection (e.g., risk-benefit analysis, practice guidelines, genetics, ethnicity, cost, pregnancy, disease status, limitations of current diagnostic systems [e.g., DSM, ICD]).
    • Knowledge of dosing, time course of therapeutic action, and adverse effects of medication based on patient factors (e.g., weight, gender, ethnicity, culture, age, trauma, pregnancy, concurrent disease).
    • Knowledge of dosing strategies (e.g., augmentation, titration, cross taper, discontinuation).
    • Knowledge of common signs and symptoms of drug toxicity and the management of adverse reactions to drugs (e.g., referral for appropriate medical care, use of appropriate medications).
    • Knowledge of the management of at-risk patients (e.g., relapse prevention, adherence, suicide prevention, patients seeking medication inappropriate or inconsistent with treatment plan).
    • Knowledge of potential adverse psychological and physiological signs of drugs used for common medical conditions (e.g., steroids, beta blockers, antibiotics, antivirals), OTCs, and herbals/dietary supplements.
    • Knowledge of psychological and physiological signs of common recreational substances and the management of intoxication or addiction, including strategies for assisted withdrawal, maintenance, and relapse prevention.
    • Knowledge of how to recognize and manage tolerance, cross-tolerance, dependence, and abstinence syndromes, sensitization/cross-sensitization with respect to specific medications.
    • Knowledge of the patient factors (e.g., culture, literacy, stage of change) that need to be considered when informing patients about drug utilization, risks, benefits, potential complications, and alternatives to pharmacotherapy.
  • Content Area 9: Research — Refers to the methodology, standards, and conduct of research on psychoactive substances. The knowledge base facilitates research design and implementation, accurate data interpretation and communication, effective utilization of findings, the accumulation of scientific knowledge, and the improvement of the practice of clinical psychology. (7.3%)
    • Knowledge of research designs and analytic techniques used in psychopharmacological research (e.g., open label, single vs double blind, random assignment, placebo control, drug washout, dose response relationships, intent-to-treat analyses, within-subject and group designs, concurrent administration of other drugs, FDA drug development process).
    • Knowledge of how to critically review clinical research data including non-evidence-based therapies and emerging research methodologies and use the information for making treatment decisions (e.g., Number needed to treat (NNT), Number needed to harm (NNH), Odds ratio (OR), Risk ratio (RR), effect size).
    • Knowledge of influential, non-industry sponsored multi-site research studies relating to psychopharmacology (e.g., CATIE, STAR-D, CUTLASS, MTA).
    • Knowledge of evidence-based research regarding complementary and alternative medicines (e.g., Omega-3, folate, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), St. John’s Wort, melatonin).
  • Content Area 10: Professional, Legal, Ethical, and Interprofessional Issues — Refers to the knowledge of ethics, standards of care, laws, and regulations relevant to the practice of psychology involving psychopharmacology. (6.7%)
    • Knowledge of relevant legal and ethical codes and standards that pertain to pharmacological practice; and laws and statutes for prescribing psychotropic medications (e.g., DEA regulations, telehealth).
    • Knowledge of practice guidelines and standards of care for prescribing psychotropic medications (including a relationship with referring psychologist).
    • Knowledge of patients’ rights related to medication treatments and therapy (e.g., informed consent, right to refuse treatment, right to treatment within the least restrictive environment, inappropriate psychotropic restraints, duty to warn, privileged communication, alternative decision maker, living will, durable power of attorney, advance directives).
    • Knowledge of ethical issues regarding relationships with pharmaceutical companies (e.g., acceptance of gifts and samples, revealing sources of funding and affiliations, interactions with pharmaceutical reps).
Examination sources