Massachusetts Psychology Jurisprudence Practice Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales
Question 1: Under Massachusetts law (262 CMR), what is the minimum number of
supervised postdoctoral hours required for psychology licensure?
A. 1,000 hours
B. 1,500 hours
C. 1,750 hours
D. 2,000 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1,750 hours
Rationale: Massachusetts 262 CMR 2.04 requires applicants for licensure as a
psychologist to complete at least 1,750 hours of supervised postdoctoral experience in
psychological services, completed within a period of not less than 12 months.
Question 2: According to Massachusetts regulations, how long must a psychologist
retain patient records after the last professional contact?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7 years
,Rationale: 262 CMR 3.05 requires psychologists to maintain patient records for at least
seven years from the date of last professional contact. For minors, records must be kept
until seven years after the patient reaches age 18.
Question 3: Under Massachusetts law, which of the following is a mandatory reportable
condition for psychologists?
A. Client suicidal ideation
B. Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or disabled person
C. Client admission of past criminal behavior
D. Client relationship conflict
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or disabled person
Rationale: Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 119, c. 19A, c. 19C) mandates that psychologists
report reasonable cause to believe that a child, elder, or person with a disability is being
abused or neglected.
Question 4: What is the continuing education requirement for psychology license
renewal in Massachusetts?
A. 10 hours every 2 years
B. 20 hours every 2 years
C. 30 hours every 2 years
D. 40 hours every 2 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 20 hours every 2 years
,Rationale: 262 CMR 2.06 requires licensed psychologists to complete at least 20 hours
of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including at
least 3 hours in ethics or law.
Question 5: Under Massachusetts regulations, when may a psychologist disclose
confidential information without client consent?
A. When requested by a family member
B. When required by law or court order
C. When the psychologist believes disclosure is helpful
D. When the client misses an appointment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. When required by law or court order
Rationale: 262 CMR 3.02 permits disclosure without consent only when mandated by
law (e.g., mandatory reporting, court order, imminent danger), consistent with ethical
and legal standards.
Question 6: What is the minimum educational requirement for licensure as a
psychologist in Massachusetts?
A. Master's degree in psychology
B. Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology from an accredited program
C. Bachelor's degree with supervised experience
D. Certificate in counseling
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology from
an accredited program
, Rationale: 262 CMR 2.02 requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a program
accredited by APA, CPA, or regionally accredited institution with psychology as the
primary focus.
Question 7: Under Massachusetts law, what must a psychologist do when terminating
services with a client?
A. Provide written notice and reasonable opportunity for transfer of care
B. End services immediately without explanation
C. Refer only if client requests
D. No specific requirements
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Provide written notice and reasonable opportunity for transfer
of care
Rationale: 262 CMR 3.04 and APA Ethics Code 10.10 require psychologists to provide
pretermination counseling and appropriate referrals when terminating services, except
where precluded by client conduct or safety.
Question 8: Which of the following constitutes "unprofessional conduct" under
Massachusetts psychology regulations?
A. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
B. Engaging in sexual intimacy with a current client
C. Obtaining informed consent
D. Documenting treatment appropriately
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Engaging in sexual intimacy with a current client
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales
Question 1: Under Massachusetts law (262 CMR), what is the minimum number of
supervised postdoctoral hours required for psychology licensure?
A. 1,000 hours
B. 1,500 hours
C. 1,750 hours
D. 2,000 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1,750 hours
Rationale: Massachusetts 262 CMR 2.04 requires applicants for licensure as a
psychologist to complete at least 1,750 hours of supervised postdoctoral experience in
psychological services, completed within a period of not less than 12 months.
Question 2: According to Massachusetts regulations, how long must a psychologist
retain patient records after the last professional contact?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7 years
,Rationale: 262 CMR 3.05 requires psychologists to maintain patient records for at least
seven years from the date of last professional contact. For minors, records must be kept
until seven years after the patient reaches age 18.
Question 3: Under Massachusetts law, which of the following is a mandatory reportable
condition for psychologists?
A. Client suicidal ideation
B. Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or disabled person
C. Client admission of past criminal behavior
D. Client relationship conflict
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or disabled person
Rationale: Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 119, c. 19A, c. 19C) mandates that psychologists
report reasonable cause to believe that a child, elder, or person with a disability is being
abused or neglected.
Question 4: What is the continuing education requirement for psychology license
renewal in Massachusetts?
A. 10 hours every 2 years
B. 20 hours every 2 years
C. 30 hours every 2 years
D. 40 hours every 2 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 20 hours every 2 years
,Rationale: 262 CMR 2.06 requires licensed psychologists to complete at least 20 hours
of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including at
least 3 hours in ethics or law.
Question 5: Under Massachusetts regulations, when may a psychologist disclose
confidential information without client consent?
A. When requested by a family member
B. When required by law or court order
C. When the psychologist believes disclosure is helpful
D. When the client misses an appointment
CORRECT ANSWER: B. When required by law or court order
Rationale: 262 CMR 3.02 permits disclosure without consent only when mandated by
law (e.g., mandatory reporting, court order, imminent danger), consistent with ethical
and legal standards.
Question 6: What is the minimum educational requirement for licensure as a
psychologist in Massachusetts?
A. Master's degree in psychology
B. Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology from an accredited program
C. Bachelor's degree with supervised experience
D. Certificate in counseling
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology from
an accredited program
, Rationale: 262 CMR 2.02 requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a program
accredited by APA, CPA, or regionally accredited institution with psychology as the
primary focus.
Question 7: Under Massachusetts law, what must a psychologist do when terminating
services with a client?
A. Provide written notice and reasonable opportunity for transfer of care
B. End services immediately without explanation
C. Refer only if client requests
D. No specific requirements
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Provide written notice and reasonable opportunity for transfer
of care
Rationale: 262 CMR 3.04 and APA Ethics Code 10.10 require psychologists to provide
pretermination counseling and appropriate referrals when terminating services, except
where precluded by client conduct or safety.
Question 8: Which of the following constitutes "unprofessional conduct" under
Massachusetts psychology regulations?
A. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
B. Engaging in sexual intimacy with a current client
C. Obtaining informed consent
D. Documenting treatment appropriately
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Engaging in sexual intimacy with a current client
