Requirements

REQUIREMENTS

1. Completion of a clinically based doctorate in psychology from an institution that was accredited by one of the recognized US regional accrediting bodies of the Commission of Higher Education, or an education institution approved and adopted by the Board of the Academy of Medical Psychology.

2. Completion of a post-doctoral master’s degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology, or certificate program in Clinical Psychopharmacology that has been approved by the Board. The Accreditation Committee of the Academy of Medical Psychology (AMP) must accredit the program (AMP) or the ABMP Board of Directors must vote to accept the program as equivalent to the requirements for accreditation by the AMP.

Alternatives

2a. Completion of a medical doctorate (MD), awarded by a medical school from which graduates have been licensed to practice in at least one of the United States or at least one of the provinces of Canada. Psychologists with MD degrees are eligible for ABMP certification after they are one year post MD assuming they had their doctoral degree in psychology first, or the completion of a post doctorate two year graduate program in Medical Psychology approved by the board.

2b. Possession of a license to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. Psychologists with MSN (APN) degrees are eligible for ABMP certification after they are one year post APN training and licensure assuming they had their doctoral degree in psychology first, or the completion of a post doctorate two year graduate program in Medical Psychology approved by the board.

2c. Possession of a license to prescribe medication as a “Prescribing Psychologist” or as a “Medical Psychologist” or as otherwise allowed by law and as overseen by a State or Provincial Board of Psychology.

2d. Graduation from the DoD Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project.

3. Completion of a fellowship/internship of at least 1,500 hours in Medical Psychology* or its equivalent. The ABMP Board of Directors must vote upon the acceptability of the experience in Medical Psychology of the applicant. The training experience in Medical Psychology shall be considered to be acceptable for purposes of eligibility for ABMP Diplomate status if the fellowship/internship was completed under the auspices of a program accredited by the Academy of Medical Psychology (AMP) Board. The submission of a letter by a physician or other prescribing healthcare professional documenting collaboration on patient care of at least one year that includes collaboration on the recommendation of medications shall meet the requirements of the completion of a fellowship

Alternative

3a. Has completed a 1500 hour, minimum of 300 cases, supervised Preceptorship/Residency in Medical Psychology involving providing psychological diagnoses of mental disorders, substance use disorders, and the psychological and life-style aspects of chronic and psychologically related physical disorders; the treatment planning and treatment and case management of these disorders, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. The requirement for completion of a 1,500 hour fellowship/internship/residency may be waived at the discretion of the board for those applicants who meet the criteria for 2a, 2b, 2c or 2d above

4. Achievement of a passing grade on any of the following written examinations:

a) Achieve a score of 70% on the American Board of Medical Psychology’s Written Examination in Medical Psychology.

b) Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP)

c) The International College of Prescribing Psychologists (ICPP) Exam in Psychopharmacology, until such time as the ABMP Board of Directors determines that this examination is no longer acceptable as an alternative. The ABMP Board of Directors will give at least a one-year notice of this vote, if taken and passed.

5. Passing review of 2 clinical work samples.

6. Passing the oral examination in Medical Psychology.