The Candidate’s Path to ABGP
A phased breakdown of the process for board certification in Group Psychology — what you submit, who reviews it, and how long each step takes.
The ABGP is responsible for establishing criteria related to the definition, education, training, competencies, and the examination leading to certification as a specialist in Group Psychology.
Board certification assures the public and the profession that the group psychologist specialist has successfully completed the educational, training, and experience requirements of the specialty including an examination designed to assess the competencies required to provide quality services in group psychology.
This informative presentation by our past president, Dr. Sam James, is a great introduction to the application process and to understanding functional and foundational competencies. ABPP also describes the steps in applying.
-
Phase 1: Credentials review
Up to 3 months- Fill out both the Generic and Specialist applications online and forward them to the ABPP Central Office.
- Submit the application fee to the Central Office. Fees follow a sliding scale by career stage, from $125 to $25.
- The Executive Officer and Central Office staff verify your license, doctoral degree and program; the specialty board may also review specialty-specific requirements.
- Request that your original doctoral transcript be mailed or emailed ([email protected]) to the Central Office directly from your institution.
-
Phase 2: Group psychology review
Up to 2 months- When passed by the Central Office, you become a “Candidate”.
- Your application goes to the ABGP Exam Coordinator for a review of your group psychology education and experience.
- When passed by ABGP, your application returns to the Central Office.
- The ABGP Exam Coordinator makes sure you have a mentor.
-
Phase 3: Practice Sample & Professional Statement
$250 fee- The ABGP Exam Coordinator invites you to prepare a Practice Sample and a Professional Statement. Your mentor reviews both before submission.
- Submit the $250 Practice Sample fee directly to the Central Office.
-
Phase 4: Sample review
Up to 2 months- Send the Practice Sample and Professional Statement to the ABGP Exam Coordinator. If your sample includes a recording of a group therapy session, prepare six unedited copies compatible with Windows and Apple.
- The Exam Coordinator, with one additional board member, passes the materials or recommends revisions.
- Once passed, the Exam Coordinator tells the Central Office you are ready for the Oral Exam.
-
Phase 5: Oral examination
$450 fee- Submit the $450 Oral Exam fee to the Central Office.
- The ABGP Exam Coordinator selects a Committee Chair, who chooses two more members and arranges the date (scheduling may take up to two months).
- Your Committee meets with you for a four-hour collegial exam.
- The Central Office informs you of the results within the week.
Fees
Fees are paid to the ABPP Central Office online, are non-refundable and subject to change. Check the current ABPP certification fees before you pay.
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Application — Regular & Senior | $125 | Phase 1 |
| Application — Early Career Psychologist | $65 | Phase 1 |
| Application — Early Entry (pre-licensure) | $25 | Phase 1 |
| Practice Sample | $250 | Phase 3 |
| Oral Exam | $450 | Phase 5 |
Questions?
Questions about applications go to the ABPP Central Office, see contacts. Transcripts and payments go to [email protected].
Additional resources
The ABGP Exam Manual appendices include these forms:
- Form A — ABGP Board Certification Process
- Form B — Credential Review Results Form
- Form C — Group Psychology Application
- Form D-1 — Practice Sample Checklist
- Form D-2 — Senior Option Checklist
- Form E — Professional Statement Checklist
- Form F — Voluntary Consent Agreement
- Form G — Rating Grid for Oral Exam Competency Areas
- Form H — Practice Sample Review Results
For further and more complete information, consult the ABGP Exam Manual (PDF), the Professional Self Statement instructions and the Group Psychology document library on ABPP.
Have questions? We would be delighted to talk to you.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the ABGP — whether you are a graduate student or a late-career psychologist.