Pennsylvania Psychology Law Exam
Study Questions and Answers 2026
What is the purpose of the Professional Psychologists Practice Act? -Correct
Answer ✔--Protect the public safety and welfare
-Regulate and control in the public interest
-Protect the public from unprofessional, improper, unauthorized and unqualified
practice of psychology
-Protect the public from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice
psychology
Practice of Psychology -Correct Answer ✔--Counseling and the use of
psychological methods with persons or groups with adjustment problems in the
areas of work, family, school, and personal relationships
-Measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, and emotions
-Offering services as a psychological consultant.
Definition of Practice of Psychology -Correct Answer ✔-The application of
established principles of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional
relationships to problems of personality evaluation, group relations, and behavior
adjustment. The application of said principles includes, but is not restricted to,
counseling and the use of psychological methods with persons or groups with
adjustment problems in the areas of work, family, school, and personal
relationships; measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, and
emotions, and offering services as a psychological consultant.
Definition of Psychological Methods -Correct Answer ✔-Application of principles
of learning and motivation in an interpersonal situation with the objectives of
modification of perception and adjustment, and requiring highly developed skills
in the disciplines, techniques, and methods of altering through learning processes,
attitudes, feelings, values, self-concept, personal goals and adaptive patterns
,Definition of Psychological Consulting -Correct Answer ✔-Interpreting or reporting
upon scientific fact or theory in psychology, rendering expert psychological
opinion, psychological evaluation, or engaging in applied psychological research
Definition of Measurement and Testing -Correct Answer ✔-Psychological
assessment and evaluation of abilities, attitudes, aptitudes, achievements,
adjustments, motives, personality dynamics and/or other psychological attributes
of individuals, or groups of individuals by means of standardized measurements or
other methods, techniques or procedures recognized by the science and
profession of psychology
Exemptions from Professional Psychologists Practice Act -Correct Answer ✔-(1)
Simple acts of persuasion or suggestion by one person to another, or to a group.
(2) Persons licensed to practice any of the healing arts in this Commonwealth
(3) Qualified members of other recognized professions (e.g., clergy, drug and
alcohol abuse counselors, mental health counselors)
(4) Volunteers providing services in crisis or emergency situations.
(4) Person employed as a psychologist by a Federal, State, county, or municipal
agency, or other political subdivisions
(5) Social Psychologists
(6) Member of the faculty or staff of a duly accredited university, college, hospital
or State-approved nonpublic school
(7) Student, intern or resident in psychology, pursuing a course of study in a duly
accredited university, provided that such practice and use of title constitute a part
of his supervised course of study, and he is designated by such titles as
"psychology intern," "psychology trainee," or other title clearly indicating such
training status.
(8) People conducting or presenting research or other scientific information
regarding psychology
(7) People meeting minimum qualifications for licensure on temporary assignment
in the Commonwealth
(8) I/O Psychologists
(9) Clerical or administrative employe in the performance of duties incidental to
and necessary to the work of a psychologist
,(10) School Psychologists
(11) Psychologist licensed under this act employing and supervising postdoctoral
individuals completing the experience requirement for licensure who shall be
designated as "psychology interns," "psychology residents" or "psychological
trainees."
(12) Psychologist licensed under this act employing professional employes with
graduate training in psychology.
How many people are on the Board? -Correct Answer ✔-9 - 8 are appointed by
the governor with approval of the Senate. The ninth is the Commissioner of
Professional and Occupational Affairs. 2 members are representatives of the
public at large. 6 members are licensed psychologists, representing broad areas of
psychology
How long must people be residents of PA before serving on the Board? -Correct
Answer ✔-3 years
How long are the terms of service for Board members? -Correct Answer ✔-4 years
or until a successor has been appointed. Not longer than 4 years, 6 months. If
replacing a board member, serve for the remainder of that member's term. 2 term
limit.
How many Board members are needed for a quorum? -Correct Answer ✔-A
majority. Must be physically present to participate in Board business, unless
suspended.
Who are the Board officers? -Correct Answer ✔-Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary -
all elected by the Board annually. Secretary does not need to be a Board member.
What is the per diem for Board members participating in Board business? -Correct
Answer ✔-$60 plus amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with
Commonwealth regulations.
, Number of consecutive meetings missed for a Board Member to forfeit seat -
Correct Answer ✔-3 - unless the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational
Affairs, upon written request from the member, finds that the member should be
excused from a meeting because of illness or the death of a family member.
Number of mandated trainings a public member must miss to forfeit seat -Correct
Answer ✔-2 - unless the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs,
upon written request from the public member, finds that the public member
should be excused from a meeting because of illness or the death of a family
member.
Number of annual Board meetings -Correct Answer ✔-6, with additional meetings
as needed
Powers of the Board -Correct Answer ✔-(1) To pass upon the qualifications and
fitness of applicants for licenses and reciprocal licenses
(2) To adopt and revise rules and regulations requiring applicants to pass
examinations relating to their qualifications as a prerequisite to the issuance of
license.
(3) To adopt and, from time to time, revise such rules and regulations and policies
not inconsistent with the law as may be necessary to carry into effect the
provisions of this act. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited
to, standards for professional practice and a code of ethics for psychologists in the
State.
(4) To examine for, deny, approve, issue, revoke, suspend, restrict, limit and renew
the licenses of psychologist applicants pursuant to this act and to conduct
hearings in connection therewith.
(5) To conduct hearings upon complaints concerning violations of the provisions of
and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act and cause the
prosecution, impose civil penalties and enjoin any such violations.
(6) To employ, with the approval of the Commissioner of Professional and
Occupational Affairs, a professional credentials evaluator to review applications.
(7) To waive examination and grant a license in cases deemed exceptional by the
board and in accordance with board regulations.
Study Questions and Answers 2026
What is the purpose of the Professional Psychologists Practice Act? -Correct
Answer ✔--Protect the public safety and welfare
-Regulate and control in the public interest
-Protect the public from unprofessional, improper, unauthorized and unqualified
practice of psychology
-Protect the public from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice
psychology
Practice of Psychology -Correct Answer ✔--Counseling and the use of
psychological methods with persons or groups with adjustment problems in the
areas of work, family, school, and personal relationships
-Measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, and emotions
-Offering services as a psychological consultant.
Definition of Practice of Psychology -Correct Answer ✔-The application of
established principles of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional
relationships to problems of personality evaluation, group relations, and behavior
adjustment. The application of said principles includes, but is not restricted to,
counseling and the use of psychological methods with persons or groups with
adjustment problems in the areas of work, family, school, and personal
relationships; measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, and
emotions, and offering services as a psychological consultant.
Definition of Psychological Methods -Correct Answer ✔-Application of principles
of learning and motivation in an interpersonal situation with the objectives of
modification of perception and adjustment, and requiring highly developed skills
in the disciplines, techniques, and methods of altering through learning processes,
attitudes, feelings, values, self-concept, personal goals and adaptive patterns
,Definition of Psychological Consulting -Correct Answer ✔-Interpreting or reporting
upon scientific fact or theory in psychology, rendering expert psychological
opinion, psychological evaluation, or engaging in applied psychological research
Definition of Measurement and Testing -Correct Answer ✔-Psychological
assessment and evaluation of abilities, attitudes, aptitudes, achievements,
adjustments, motives, personality dynamics and/or other psychological attributes
of individuals, or groups of individuals by means of standardized measurements or
other methods, techniques or procedures recognized by the science and
profession of psychology
Exemptions from Professional Psychologists Practice Act -Correct Answer ✔-(1)
Simple acts of persuasion or suggestion by one person to another, or to a group.
(2) Persons licensed to practice any of the healing arts in this Commonwealth
(3) Qualified members of other recognized professions (e.g., clergy, drug and
alcohol abuse counselors, mental health counselors)
(4) Volunteers providing services in crisis or emergency situations.
(4) Person employed as a psychologist by a Federal, State, county, or municipal
agency, or other political subdivisions
(5) Social Psychologists
(6) Member of the faculty or staff of a duly accredited university, college, hospital
or State-approved nonpublic school
(7) Student, intern or resident in psychology, pursuing a course of study in a duly
accredited university, provided that such practice and use of title constitute a part
of his supervised course of study, and he is designated by such titles as
"psychology intern," "psychology trainee," or other title clearly indicating such
training status.
(8) People conducting or presenting research or other scientific information
regarding psychology
(7) People meeting minimum qualifications for licensure on temporary assignment
in the Commonwealth
(8) I/O Psychologists
(9) Clerical or administrative employe in the performance of duties incidental to
and necessary to the work of a psychologist
,(10) School Psychologists
(11) Psychologist licensed under this act employing and supervising postdoctoral
individuals completing the experience requirement for licensure who shall be
designated as "psychology interns," "psychology residents" or "psychological
trainees."
(12) Psychologist licensed under this act employing professional employes with
graduate training in psychology.
How many people are on the Board? -Correct Answer ✔-9 - 8 are appointed by
the governor with approval of the Senate. The ninth is the Commissioner of
Professional and Occupational Affairs. 2 members are representatives of the
public at large. 6 members are licensed psychologists, representing broad areas of
psychology
How long must people be residents of PA before serving on the Board? -Correct
Answer ✔-3 years
How long are the terms of service for Board members? -Correct Answer ✔-4 years
or until a successor has been appointed. Not longer than 4 years, 6 months. If
replacing a board member, serve for the remainder of that member's term. 2 term
limit.
How many Board members are needed for a quorum? -Correct Answer ✔-A
majority. Must be physically present to participate in Board business, unless
suspended.
Who are the Board officers? -Correct Answer ✔-Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary -
all elected by the Board annually. Secretary does not need to be a Board member.
What is the per diem for Board members participating in Board business? -Correct
Answer ✔-$60 plus amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with
Commonwealth regulations.
, Number of consecutive meetings missed for a Board Member to forfeit seat -
Correct Answer ✔-3 - unless the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational
Affairs, upon written request from the member, finds that the member should be
excused from a meeting because of illness or the death of a family member.
Number of mandated trainings a public member must miss to forfeit seat -Correct
Answer ✔-2 - unless the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs,
upon written request from the public member, finds that the public member
should be excused from a meeting because of illness or the death of a family
member.
Number of annual Board meetings -Correct Answer ✔-6, with additional meetings
as needed
Powers of the Board -Correct Answer ✔-(1) To pass upon the qualifications and
fitness of applicants for licenses and reciprocal licenses
(2) To adopt and revise rules and regulations requiring applicants to pass
examinations relating to their qualifications as a prerequisite to the issuance of
license.
(3) To adopt and, from time to time, revise such rules and regulations and policies
not inconsistent with the law as may be necessary to carry into effect the
provisions of this act. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited
to, standards for professional practice and a code of ethics for psychologists in the
State.
(4) To examine for, deny, approve, issue, revoke, suspend, restrict, limit and renew
the licenses of psychologist applicants pursuant to this act and to conduct
hearings in connection therewith.
(5) To conduct hearings upon complaints concerning violations of the provisions of
and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act and cause the
prosecution, impose civil penalties and enjoin any such violations.
(6) To employ, with the approval of the Commissioner of Professional and
Occupational Affairs, a professional credentials evaluator to review applications.
(7) To waive examination and grant a license in cases deemed exceptional by the
board and in accordance with board regulations.
