Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology
What “board certified” means, the ABPP/ABCN four-stage process, and how to verify a clinician’s status.
What Does “Board Certified” Actually Mean?
Board certification in neuropsychology is a voluntary credential awarded by the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN), a specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). It is separate from and in addition to state licensure.
The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) has stated that board certification is not required for competent practice, but it is the clearest publicly verifiable evidence of advanced specialty competence. The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) strongly encourages board certification for practicing neuropsychologists.
The ABCN Four-Stage Process
| Stage | What It Involves | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application & Credential Review | Submit documentation of training, supervision, and licensure. ABCN reviews your training record against Houston Conference standards. | After licensure |
| 2. Written Examination | Multiple-choice exam covering neuroanatomy, neuropsychological assessment, psychopathology, ethics, and research methods. Recent pass rates: 65–80%. | After credential approval |
| 3. Practice Sample | Submit a de-identified neuropsychological evaluation report demonstrating competent clinical reasoning, appropriate test selection, and report writing. | After written exam |
| 4. Oral Examination | Live examination with ABCN examiners reviewing your practice sample and testing your clinical knowledge, ethical reasoning, and specialty expertise. | After practice sample approval |
Eligibility Requirements
- Doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in psychology from an APA-accredited program
- APA-accredited internship with substantial neuropsychology training (typically 40–50% neuro time)
- 2 years of full-time postdoctoral training in neuropsychology (APPCN-affiliated preferred)
- Current licensure as a psychologist
- Compliance with ABPP ethical standards
Verify a Clinician’s Board Certification Status
Both ABPP and AACN maintain searchable public directories of board-certified neuropsychologists.
ABPP Directory
The official ABPP directory lists all board-certified psychologists by specialty and location.
AACN Member Directory
AACN’s directory includes board-certified members and fellows of the academy.
Is Board Certification Worth It?
For most practicing neuropsychologists, the answer is yes — for these reasons:
- Credibility: It is the only publicly verifiable signal of advanced specialty training beyond licensure.
- Referral networks: Many hospital systems, VA facilities, and academic medical centers prefer or require board certification for neuropsychology positions.
- Legal and forensic work: Board certification significantly strengthens expert witness credibility.
- Professional identity: The process itself — especially the practice sample and oral exam — is a rigorous self-assessment of clinical competence.
The main cost is time and preparation effort. The written exam requires serious study, and the practice sample and oral exam require careful preparation. The financial cost is modest (ABPP fees are in the hundreds, not thousands).