American Board of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology Update

American Board of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology Update

By Daniel M. Cheron, PhD, ABPP
President, ABCCAP

Becoming a board-certified Specialist through the American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (ABCCAP) serves as an important professional step for psychologists. Clinical child and adolescent and pediatric psychologists work in many different settings with diverse populations. Certification through ABCCAP helps demonstrate competence in the field, enhances professional credibility, and signals commitment to high-quality, evidence-based care for children and adolescents.  These are important messages for both the public and the diverse array of professional collaborators.  ABCCAP Specialists have noted that board certification can help communicate their expertise to other disciplines.  This is especially true when interacting with the medical community, which has long held board certification as the benchmark for specialization.  Additionally, board certification is becoming the norm or even requirement for practice in certain systems.  For those working in multi-disciplinary settings, board certification with ABCCAP can also open doors to leadership opportunities, professional networking, and continuing education.

How to Begin the Certification Process
If you are not yet an ABCCAP Specialist, the journey to certification begins by applying through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), the parent organization of ABCCAP. Candidates must meet specific education and training requirements, submit a practice sample, and complete an oral examination. For psychologists who are considering certification, mentorship from current ABCCAP Specialists can provide valuable guidance throughout the process. More details on eligibility and application steps can be found at www.abpp.org.

Get Involved and Support the Specialty
Already certified? There are many ways to stay engaged! Board-certified Specialists can serve as mentors for candidates, participate as examiners in the certification process, or contribute to advocacy efforts that promote the value of board certification within pediatric psychology. ABPP is an APA-approved continuing education provider.  Specialists who serve on exam committees may even be able to fulfill all CE requirements for licensure renewals at no costs to the Specialist.  By staying involved, Specialists help shape the future of the field and support the next generation of psychologists in achieving excellence.

Board certification is more than a credential—it’s a professional commitment to the highest standards of care. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore the certification process today and join a growing community of experts dedicated to child and adolescent mental health.