Requirements to Apply for Board Certification in Psychotherapy

Must have registered with the American Board of Psychotherapy, prior to accruing the 50 CEU hours required for certification.
Must be a member of the American College of Psychotherapy and have a minimum of 50 hours of CEU education obtained from approved providers, experts, and presenters of that organization or a pre-approved provider, or approved accredited college or institution.
Must have a master’s or doctoral degree from a nationally accredited college or university, in psychology, counseling, related medical, or mental health field.
Accreditation – This is a term, used in the United States, to describe the process whereby an accepted accrediting body accredits colleges and universities. The accrediting bodies listed below are recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as having permission to accredit schools, colleges, and universities. If you have any concerns about your school, college or university’s accreditation, you may access and search the data bases for these organizations listed above. Your undergraduate and graduate degrees must be obtained from a college or university accredited by one of these organizations listed below to apply for Board Certification by the American Board of Psychotherapy also.

• the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA)
• the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA)
• the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS)
• the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU)

Given our commitment to excellence, Accreditation and Degrees will be confirmed by our Certification Committee.
Must present a copy of your degrees, your license to practice, certification by the governing body of your professional function, or be located where licensure is not required for you to practice psychotherapy.
Must be licensed, if required to do so, and have a minimum of five years of professional experience and not currently required to be under the supervision of another professional.
Applicant must have had a minimum of three years of psychotherapy, personally, and sign an affidavit attesting to that fact, identifying the therapist, and their credentials. (not required until you apply for certification)
Must maintain a minimum of 20 clock hours (of CEU’s) every two years, of courses approved by the American College of Psychotherapy but delivered by the Experts or any Approved Provider.
If this in problematic, because of disability, distance, or reasonable unavailability, you may submit a request for extended approval of CEU’s, for which you will need approval prior to taking the course requested, or request special consideration for online coursework.
Must have no ethics violations, disciplinary actions or sanctions by your professional licensure body, any professional organization of which you have been a member, and never have been convicted of a felony by law enforcement.
Must present three letters of recommendation attesting to your professional competence offered by another licensed professional who has a current professional relationship with you.
Must be governed by a professional organization that has a code of ethics and a disciplinary board with whom you are in good standing.
Must carry professional liability insurance.
Must be involved in providing psychotherapy or the presentation of psychoeducational information that is within the scope of your practice, training, licensure, or certification.
Must complete and pass a competency test to be given following the completion of your contact hours. A reading list will be provided as a study guide.
Must have completed during graduate education or CEU hours, a course in General Modalities of Psychotherapy, Ethics, and Diagnosis, prior to your application and be able to provide evidence of your participation. (such as course receipt or transcript)
You must remain a member, in good standing, of the American College of Psychotherapy in good standing, for an additional 2 year period following your registration with the American Board of Psychotherapy.

Documentation Checklist

_____ Affidavit of personal experience of psychotherapy
_____ Copy of earned degrees
_____ Copy of License
_____ Copy of Letters of Recommendation
_____ Copy of Professional Insurance
_____ Documentation verifying attendance at approved CEU events you attended

Requirements

The requirements for the distinction of “Specialist” are to have completed<

  1. To have completed 65 hours, beyond Diplomate Status, in the area of the specialty sought.
  2. These CEU hours may be completed at any time after becoming Board Certified in Psychotherapy.
  3. These hours must be acquired from a provider listed of the Approved Provider List of the American College of Psychotherapy. (If there are hardships, considerations will be given.)
  4. During this period you must remain a member in good standing with the American College of Psychotherapy.
  5. Following the completion of these hours, you will be required to pay a testing fee of $ 150.00 for a test over the material related to your specialty. Again, a reading list to prepare you for the test will be provided.
  6. You may have four attempts annually to successfully complete your test for Board Certification. Should your application be rejected or you fail to successfully complete the test, we will refund your testing fee less$ 50.00 for scoring and handling.
  7. Having successfully completed the test, you may purchase a certificate of Specialty, in your area, for an administrative fee and the cost of the certificate. ( $ 75.00 )

Documentation Required

  • Copy of earned degrees
  • Copy of License
  • Copy of Letters of Recommendation
  • Copy of Professional Insurance
  • Documentation verifying attendance at approved CEU events you attended