PA Psychology Law (PPLE) Exam Study
Questions and Answers Graded A+ 2026
Act 31 -Correct Answer ✔-Law that mandates continuing education in child abuse
recognition.
We need at least 2 hrs as condition of licensure renewal and 3 hrs as prereq for
licensure
Act 74 -Correct Answer ✔-Law that mandates CE in suicide prevention
We need 1 hr as condition of licensure renewal
Privileged Communication Law -Correct Answer ✔-Supplemented to the rules
concerning release of information in courts, allowing patients of psychologists to
withhold information from courts under some circumstances
Professional Psychology Practice Act (1972) -Correct Answer ✔-This Act recognizes the
practice of psychology to affect the public safety and welfare, and sets forth regulations
to protect the public from unprofessional, unauthorized and unqualified conduct.
Psychologists must possess a valid, unexpired, unrevoked, and unsuspended licensed
issued under this act to practice.
The Rost Decision -Correct Answer ✔-Reiterates the standards for privileged
communications for psychologists, and clarifies that it usually requires a court order, not
a subpoena from an attorney, to release information in court
Impaired Professionals -Correct Answer ✔-Defined as active addiction, or mental or
physical incompetences.
W/ "substantial evidence," psychologists are mandated to report other psychologists
who they know to be impaired (and not in active tx) or who are diverting controlled
substances.
Chapter 49 of the Pennsylvania Code -Correct Answer ✔-Where all regulations of state
agencies are located.
Code of Ethics (APA v. PA State Board) -Correct Answer ✔-The Code of Ethics in PA
does not overtly contradict the 2017 APA Ethics Code; APA Ethics Code is more
specific and concrete.
PA Psychology Code of Ethics (INTRO COMMENTS) -Correct Answer ✔-Applies Code
of Ethics to students and trainees in psychology
,The Board lacks the power to discipline those who are not licensed, it does state that
violations of the ethics code "may be regarded by the Board as evidence of
unacceptable moral character".
Principle 2 - representation of nonpsychological academic degrees -Correct Answer ✔-
Applies to psychologists with terminal masters' degrees or with doctoral degrees in
other fields
may represent degree earned if they "specify the discipline in which each particular
degree was earned."
e.g Jane, MA licensed psychologist, PHD (public health)
Principle 3 - Application of APA standards and guidelines -Correct Answer ✔-The
standards of the APA apply to all licensed psychologists in PA.
Principle 4 - Public statements: Group ads; Public announcements; Personal growth
groups; accurate announcements -Correct Answer ✔-gives more specificity on
advertisements than is found in the APA Ethics Code.
Record Keeping Guidelines ($41.57) -Correct Answer ✔-Retain for 5 years following last
professional contact. Abide by other regs, if longer period is required by State, Federal
law, or institutional requirements.
Continuing Education ($41.59) -Correct Answer ✔-30 contact hours (3 CEUS) per year
Biennium -Correct Answer ✔-The period of Dec 1 to Nov 30 of odd numbered years
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (a-d, objectivity, integrity, data usage) -Correct Answer
✔-a. objectivity and integrity of work
b. research topics and methods, analysis and reporting
c. clarify expectations about use of data, maintain objectivity, and best practices in data
collection
d. prevent distortion or suppression of findings
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (e-h, broad sense of liability, professional obligations,
and guardian against misuse) -Correct Answer ✔-e. as members of gov and other orgs,
psychologists remain accountable to highest standards of field
f. as owners, psychologists retain full professional liability
g. as teachers, psychologists recognize primary obligation to help others acquire
knowledge and skill
h. as practitioners, bear social responsibility, remain alert to misuse of their influence on
others
, Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (I, computerized assessments) -Correct Answer ✔-i.
as professionals using computerized assessments, or computer-generated data,
psychologist is:
1. legally and ethically responsible for psychological assessment, generation and use of
data as service to public
2. responsible for results
3. results provided to non-psychologist according to current standards of
noncomputerized assessments.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (a, standards and limitations) -Correct Answer ✔-a. the
maintenance of high standards of professional competence is responsibility shared by
psychologists in the interest of the public and profession; recognize boundaries of
competence and limitations of techniques. Provide services only for which they are
qualified. Take all precautions to protect welfare of clients. Maintain knowledge of
current info on services rendered.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (b, c, qualifications, policing) -Correct Answer ✔-b.
discourages the practice of psychology by unqualified persons and assists public in
identifying psychologists competent to give dependable service; attempt to rectify
competence issues in others informally, then formally thru Board. c. psychologists are
licensed by the Board, following qualified supervision, and licensing exams.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (d, self-representation) -Correct Answer ✔-d.
psychologists accurately represent their competence, education, training, and
experience. Educational qualifications are obtained from institutions accredited by
regional accrediting association approved by the Commission on Recognition of
Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA); Degrees earned from foreign colleges and unis
may be represented only if determined to be equivalent by an agency acceptable to the
Board, subject to Board approval; representations of other degrees must be specified
clearly.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (e-I, teaching and continuing education) -Correct
Answer ✔-e. as teachers, psychologists provide accurate, current, and scholarly
instruction; f. psychologists participate in continuing educations and remain informed of
new professional knowledge; h. psychologists using data from test results must have
knowledge of psychological and educational tests.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (I, personal problems) -Correct Answer ✔-i.
psychologists recognize that personal problems and conflicts may interfere with
professional effectiveness, refrain from activities in which personal probelsm may affect
practice. Seek assistance, if needed.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (a, general standards and limitations) -
Correct Answer ✔-a. moral, ethical, and legal standards of bx are personal to some
Questions and Answers Graded A+ 2026
Act 31 -Correct Answer ✔-Law that mandates continuing education in child abuse
recognition.
We need at least 2 hrs as condition of licensure renewal and 3 hrs as prereq for
licensure
Act 74 -Correct Answer ✔-Law that mandates CE in suicide prevention
We need 1 hr as condition of licensure renewal
Privileged Communication Law -Correct Answer ✔-Supplemented to the rules
concerning release of information in courts, allowing patients of psychologists to
withhold information from courts under some circumstances
Professional Psychology Practice Act (1972) -Correct Answer ✔-This Act recognizes the
practice of psychology to affect the public safety and welfare, and sets forth regulations
to protect the public from unprofessional, unauthorized and unqualified conduct.
Psychologists must possess a valid, unexpired, unrevoked, and unsuspended licensed
issued under this act to practice.
The Rost Decision -Correct Answer ✔-Reiterates the standards for privileged
communications for psychologists, and clarifies that it usually requires a court order, not
a subpoena from an attorney, to release information in court
Impaired Professionals -Correct Answer ✔-Defined as active addiction, or mental or
physical incompetences.
W/ "substantial evidence," psychologists are mandated to report other psychologists
who they know to be impaired (and not in active tx) or who are diverting controlled
substances.
Chapter 49 of the Pennsylvania Code -Correct Answer ✔-Where all regulations of state
agencies are located.
Code of Ethics (APA v. PA State Board) -Correct Answer ✔-The Code of Ethics in PA
does not overtly contradict the 2017 APA Ethics Code; APA Ethics Code is more
specific and concrete.
PA Psychology Code of Ethics (INTRO COMMENTS) -Correct Answer ✔-Applies Code
of Ethics to students and trainees in psychology
,The Board lacks the power to discipline those who are not licensed, it does state that
violations of the ethics code "may be regarded by the Board as evidence of
unacceptable moral character".
Principle 2 - representation of nonpsychological academic degrees -Correct Answer ✔-
Applies to psychologists with terminal masters' degrees or with doctoral degrees in
other fields
may represent degree earned if they "specify the discipline in which each particular
degree was earned."
e.g Jane, MA licensed psychologist, PHD (public health)
Principle 3 - Application of APA standards and guidelines -Correct Answer ✔-The
standards of the APA apply to all licensed psychologists in PA.
Principle 4 - Public statements: Group ads; Public announcements; Personal growth
groups; accurate announcements -Correct Answer ✔-gives more specificity on
advertisements than is found in the APA Ethics Code.
Record Keeping Guidelines ($41.57) -Correct Answer ✔-Retain for 5 years following last
professional contact. Abide by other regs, if longer period is required by State, Federal
law, or institutional requirements.
Continuing Education ($41.59) -Correct Answer ✔-30 contact hours (3 CEUS) per year
Biennium -Correct Answer ✔-The period of Dec 1 to Nov 30 of odd numbered years
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (a-d, objectivity, integrity, data usage) -Correct Answer
✔-a. objectivity and integrity of work
b. research topics and methods, analysis and reporting
c. clarify expectations about use of data, maintain objectivity, and best practices in data
collection
d. prevent distortion or suppression of findings
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (e-h, broad sense of liability, professional obligations,
and guardian against misuse) -Correct Answer ✔-e. as members of gov and other orgs,
psychologists remain accountable to highest standards of field
f. as owners, psychologists retain full professional liability
g. as teachers, psychologists recognize primary obligation to help others acquire
knowledge and skill
h. as practitioners, bear social responsibility, remain alert to misuse of their influence on
others
, Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (I, computerized assessments) -Correct Answer ✔-i.
as professionals using computerized assessments, or computer-generated data,
psychologist is:
1. legally and ethically responsible for psychological assessment, generation and use of
data as service to public
2. responsible for results
3. results provided to non-psychologist according to current standards of
noncomputerized assessments.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (a, standards and limitations) -Correct Answer ✔-a. the
maintenance of high standards of professional competence is responsibility shared by
psychologists in the interest of the public and profession; recognize boundaries of
competence and limitations of techniques. Provide services only for which they are
qualified. Take all precautions to protect welfare of clients. Maintain knowledge of
current info on services rendered.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (b, c, qualifications, policing) -Correct Answer ✔-b.
discourages the practice of psychology by unqualified persons and assists public in
identifying psychologists competent to give dependable service; attempt to rectify
competence issues in others informally, then formally thru Board. c. psychologists are
licensed by the Board, following qualified supervision, and licensing exams.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (d, self-representation) -Correct Answer ✔-d.
psychologists accurately represent their competence, education, training, and
experience. Educational qualifications are obtained from institutions accredited by
regional accrediting association approved by the Commission on Recognition of
Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA); Degrees earned from foreign colleges and unis
may be represented only if determined to be equivalent by an agency acceptable to the
Board, subject to Board approval; representations of other degrees must be specified
clearly.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (e-I, teaching and continuing education) -Correct
Answer ✔-e. as teachers, psychologists provide accurate, current, and scholarly
instruction; f. psychologists participate in continuing educations and remain informed of
new professional knowledge; h. psychologists using data from test results must have
knowledge of psychological and educational tests.
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (I, personal problems) -Correct Answer ✔-i.
psychologists recognize that personal problems and conflicts may interfere with
professional effectiveness, refrain from activities in which personal probelsm may affect
practice. Seek assistance, if needed.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (a, general standards and limitations) -
Correct Answer ✔-a. moral, ethical, and legal standards of bx are personal to some
