KEY TAKEAWAYS
- There is no single exam called the forensic psychology exam.
- The EPPP supports general psychologist licensure and is not forensic-specific.
- Licensing boards may add jurisprudence or oral examinations.
- ABPP forensic board certification has separate eligibility, written, work sample and oral review stages.
Forensic psychology certification requirements depend on the credential being pursued. The EPPP is used for psychologist licensure, local exams test jurisdictional rules, and the ABPP forensic process examines advanced specialty competence. An academic certificate belongs to a fourth, separate category.
What exam is required for forensic psychology?
A future licensed psychologist first follows the examination rules of the state, territory or province where practice is intended. All 66 ASPPB member jurisdictions require the EPPP, while some also require a jurisprudence exam or an oral examination.
The EPPP is not a forensic specialty test. It examines broad professional psychology knowledge and applied skills that support safe general practice.
ABPP board certification in forensic psychology comes later. It uses credential review, a written examination, review of the psychologist's work and an oral examination to evaluate advanced specialty competence.
“The exam only makes sense after the credential is named. Licensure, academic study and specialty certification do not test the same competence.”
Credential distinction used throughout this guide
Which forensic psychology certification requirements apply?
Four credentials are often described with the same words. They have different issuers, purposes and consequences.
| Credential | What is assessed | Who controls it | What it provides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic certificate | Course learning through assignments or program exams | College or university | An academic award, not a practice license |
| EPPP | Broad professional psychology knowledge and applied skills | ASPPB develops the exam; boards determine use | One component of jurisdictional licensure |
| Jurisprudence or oral exam | Local law, ethics, rules or professional judgment | State, territorial or provincial board | A jurisdiction-specific licensing requirement |
| ABPP forensic certification | Advanced forensic knowledge, work quality and professional judgment | ABPP and the American Board of Forensic Psychology | Postdoctoral specialty board certification |
The complete forensic psychology certification guide explains how these credentials fit into one pathway. Students comparing university awards should use the graduate certificate decision guide instead.
Is the EPPP a forensic psychology certification exam?
No. The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology supports licensing decisions across professional psychology. It is not designed only for forensic psychologists.
ASPPB currently describes the EPPP as a two-part exam. Part 1 Knowledge covers foundational psychological knowledge, while Part 2 Skills focuses on applying psychology in real-world practice situations.
A candidate must confirm which part or parts the intended jurisdiction requires. Eligibility, sequencing, passing standards, score transfer and retake rules are also controlled through current official policies.
| Part | Primary focus | What candidates should verify |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 Knowledge | Foundational knowledge across major professional psychology domains | Board approval, current handbook, content areas and scheduling rules |
| Part 2 Skills | Applied decision-making in professional practice situations | Whether the jurisdiction requires it and when it may be taken |
ASPPB has announced future changes to the EPPP structure. Candidates should use the handbook and licensing board instructions in effect when they apply rather than relying on an older study guide.
The forensic psychologist license requirements guide places the EPPP beside education and supervised experience. The supervised-hours guide explains why accepted experience also varies.
What additional exams can a licensing board require?
Several jurisdictions require a jurisprudence exam covering the laws and rules that govern psychology practice. Some also use an oral examination.
These exams may address record keeping, confidentiality, reporting duties, informed consent, scope of practice, supervision and disciplinary rules. The content is local, so a preparation course for one jurisdiction may not fit another.
- 01
Choose the intended jurisdiction
A license application cannot be planned accurately without knowing which board controls it.
- 02
Open the board's current application
Record required exams, eligibility, deadlines, approved vendors and supporting documents.
- 03
Read the laws named by the board
Use official statutes, regulations and candidate materials rather than an unofficial summary alone.
- 04
Check changes before scheduling
Fees, formats, remote options and passing rules can change between graduation and application.
What are the ABPP forensic psychology certification requirements?
ABPP forensic board certification is an advanced credential. It is not the first step after a bachelor's degree and does not replace jurisdictional licensure.
Current specialty requirements include organized doctoral education and training in professional psychology with an internship. They also require postdoctoral supervised practice and experience in forensic psychology.
- A qualifying professional psychology doctoral program and internship.
- Postdoctoral supervised practice and specialty experience.
- At least 100 hours of qualifying specialized forensic training after the doctorate.
- Either 1,000 direct forensic hours accumulated over at least five years, or an accepted formal full-time forensic postdoctoral program of at least 2,000 hours.
- ABPP's general credential and licensure requirements.
ABPP lists limited substitutions and waivers for particular backgrounds. Candidates should not assume that legal education, another board certification or general clinical work automatically satisfies the forensic experience standard.
Those still building competence should review forensic psychology courses and training. The doctoral program guide explains how professional psychology preparation differs from a shorter specialty course.
How does the ABPP forensic psychology exam work?
The board process evaluates more than test recall. It examines credentials, knowledge, actual work and the candidate's ability to explain professional decisions.
- 01
Credential review
ABPP verifies general professional requirements while the specialty board reviews forensic eligibility.
- 02
Written examination
Eligible forensic candidates complete a specialty written exam using current ABFP scheduling and preparation instructions.
- 03
Practice sample review
Candidates submit qualifying work that allows reviewers to examine professional reasoning and specialty competence.
- 04
Oral examination
The current forensic process culminates in a three-hour oral examination by three board-certified forensic psychologists.
ABPP states that forensic candidates have three years to complete the certification process after candidacy, subject to current policies and approved extensions. Scheduling and document rules should be confirmed directly with the board.
How should you prepare for forensic psychology exams?
Prepare for the exact exam named in the application. A broad EPPP course, a local law outline and ABFP specialty readings solve different problems.
| Exam | Start with | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| EPPP | Current ASPPB handbook, content areas and sample information | Old cutoffs, leaked items and guarantees |
| Jurisprudence exam | Board instructions, current law and official candidate materials | Using another jurisdiction's rules |
| ABFP written exam | Current guidelines, sample questions and suggested reading list | Assuming the reading list predicts every item |
| ABFP oral exam | Core competencies, oral guidelines and reasoned review of submitted work | Memorized answers that ignore case context |
ABFP says its suggested reading list is a guide rather than an exhaustive exam blueprint. Preparation should connect science, law, ethics, diversity, communication and professional judgment to the candidate's own area of practice.
What should you verify before paying for an exam?
A credential provider can describe an exam. Only the responsible licensing or specialty board can confirm whether it applies to a specific candidate.
- The exact credential and authority responsible for it.
- Education, internship, supervision and licensure prerequisites.
- The exam part or parts currently required.
- Application approval needed before scheduling.
- Current fees, deadlines, accommodations and retake rules.
- Whether a score or credential transfers to another jurisdiction.
- What the credential legally permits after completion.
Keep dated copies of board instructions and written responses. If a university says its program leads to licensure or certification, ask it to name the jurisdiction, credential and published outcome data.
Common questions about forensic psychology certification and exams
Is there one forensic psychology exam?
No. The EPPP supports general psychologist licensure, some jurisdictions add local law or oral examinations, and ABPP uses a separate examination process for advanced forensic specialty certification. An academic certificate may also include course assessments, but it is not a professional license.
What exam do you take to become a forensic psychologist?
A person seeking psychologist licensure generally completes the EPPP requirements adopted by the licensing jurisdiction. The jurisdiction may also require a jurisprudence or oral exam. Forensic specialty development comes through relevant training and experience, while ABPP board certification has its own later examination process.
Is the EPPP a forensic psychology exam?
No. The EPPP evaluates broad professional psychology knowledge and applied skills. It is used by psychology licensing boards and is not limited to forensic practice.
Do all states use the same psychology licensing exams?
All ASPPB member jurisdictions require the EPPP, but the part or parts required, eligibility rules, passing standards and additional jurisprudence or oral examinations must be confirmed with the intended licensing board.
Is ABPP board certification required to practice forensic psychology?
Not universally. Licensure and scope of practice are controlled by jurisdictional law. ABPP forensic board certification is an advanced specialty credential that demonstrates examined competence, but it does not replace a professional license.
What are the ABPP forensic psychology certification requirements?
Current requirements include qualifying doctoral professional psychology education with internship, postdoctoral supervised specialty experience, at least 100 hours of qualifying postdoctoral forensic training, and either 1,000 hours of direct forensic experience over at least five years or an accepted full-time forensic postdoctoral program of at least 2,000 hours. Applicants must also satisfy ABPP's general requirements.
What does the ABPP forensic psychology exam process include?
The current process includes credential review, a written examination, review of practice samples and a three-hour oral examination conducted by three board-certified forensic psychologists. Candidates should use the current ABFP document library and instructions because details can change.
Can a forensic psychology certificate replace the EPPP?
No. An academic certificate records focused study. It does not replace the EPPP, jurisdictional licensure or the experience and examination requirements for ABPP forensic board certification.
Primary sources
Exam, licensing and board-certification claims were checked against official ASPPB and ABPP information on August 21, 2026. Requirements can change, so confirm the current rule with the responsible authority before applying.
- Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. EPPP Exam Topics.
Explains the current two-part EPPP and the distinction between Part 1 Knowledge and Part 2 Skills.
- Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. EPPP Candidate Handbook.
Official source for application, scheduling, accommodations, exam content, results and retake procedures.
- Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Requirements to Practice.
Explains the role of jurisdictional boards, the EPPP and additional jurisprudence or oral examinations.
- American Board of Professional Psychology. Forensic Psychology.
Describes the forensic specialty credential, credential review, written examination, practice sample review and oral examination.
- American Board of Professional Psychology. Forensic Specialty Requirements.
Lists current doctoral, internship, postdoctoral training and direct forensic experience requirements.
- American Board of Professional Psychology. Application Steps.
Explains how credential review, written examination where required, practice samples and oral examination fit together.
- American Board of Professional Psychology. Forensic Psychology FAQs.
Provides current preparation guidance, deadlines, exam administration and practice sample information.