Please note that all responses refer to APA-accredited doctoral programs and internships.
Specialization begins at the doctoral level, continues throughout internship, and typically culminates in the completion of formal postdoctoral or post-licensure training in the specialty area. Each recognized specialty has outlined the minimum education and training requirements required in order to competently practice within that specialty.
Action steps
- review the APA-recognized specialties and ABPP Specialty Boards;
- decide if you want to practice in a specialty;
- review the specialty’s Education and Training Guidelinesopens in new window;
- review the specialty’s approved taxonomy;
- work with your mentor to develop an education and training plan that will prepare you to develop the specific competencies required for entry level practice in the specialty;
- take courses, conduct scholarly work, and complete clinical practica in the specialty;
- before choosing your practicum, internship, and post-doctoral training program, review each programs’ training brochure and talk to the training directors to determine if the specialty-specific training offerings match your needs;
- further develop your competencies in the specialty through internship;
- complete postdoctoral and/or post-licensure training in the specialty;
- seek recognition of your training and expertise as a specialist through a recognized board certification process.
The APA’s Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology (CRSSPP) reviews petitions from organizations requesting that APA formally recognize a new specialty in professional psychology. A recognized specialty is defined as an area of psychological practice that requires advanced knowledge and skills acquired through an organized sequence of education and training.
There are two recognition bodies for specialties—American Psychological Association and American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Specialty areas that are recognized by ABPP are available for Board Certification by licensed psychologists. Please refer to the hyperlinks below for a list and descriptions of the currently recognized specialties in professional psychology.
Competent practice in a specialty area requires advanced knowledge and skills, in addition to the broad and general professional psychology competencies required of all practicing psychologists. Each recognized specialty has outlined the minimum education and training experiences required to competently practice within that specialty. Though advanced education and training alone do not indicate competency, they are necessary in order to attain competencies in a specialty area.
Competent practice in a specialty area requires advanced knowledge and skills, in addition to the broad and general professional psychology competencies required of all practicing psychologists. Each recognized specialty has outlined the minimum education and training experiences required to competently practice within that specialty. The number of courses and specific content required by each specialty varies.
Competent practica in a specialty area requires advanced knowledge and skills, in addition to the broad and general professional psychology competencies required of all practicing psychologists. Each recognized specialty has outlined the minimum education and training experiences required to competently practice within that specialty. Each specialty varies with respect to the required number, type, and intensity of specialty training obtained through clinical practica.
Internship training programs accredited by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association must provide broad and general training. Students can complete training in a recognized specialty during their internship. The required percentage of time dedicated to specialty training at the internship level varies by specialty.
Advanced knowledge and skills, required of competent practice in recognized specialties, are developed via postdoctoral and/or post-licensure training. Each specialty has established specific requirements related to postdoctoral and/or post-licensure training. The duration of the postdoctoral and/or post-licensure training in the specialty, as well as the type and amount of clinical, scholarly, and research experiences required, varies by each specialty.
Each recognized specialty has developed, or is currently developing, an education and training taxonomy specific to their specialty. Each specialty has also defined the minimum knowledge and skills required of competent practice in the specialty. The taxonomy does not outline these competencies; rather, the taxonomy provides students a reliable way to evaluate the intensity of specialty-specific education and internship, and postdoctoral training programs. In this way, students can determine if programs offer specialty-specific training of a sufficient intensity that allows for the development of advanced competencies.