PA PSYCHOLOGY LAW EXAM (PPLE)WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Act 31 - 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 - ANSWER-Law that mandates CE in suicide prevention
We need 1 hr as condition of licensure renewal
Privileged Communication Law - 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) - 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 - 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 - 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 - ANSWER-Where all regulations of state agencies are located.
Code of Ethics (APA v. PA State Board) - 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) - 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 - 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 - 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 - ANSWER-gives more specificity on advertisements than is found in the APA Ethics
Code.
Record Keeping Guidelines ($41.57) - 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) - ANSWER-30 contact hours (3 CEUS) per year
Biennium - ANSWER-The period of Dec 1 to Nov 30 of odd numbered years
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (a-d, objectivity, integrity, data usage) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - ANSWER-a. moral,
ethical, and legal standards of bx are personal to some degree, except where they may compromise
fulfillment of professional responsibilities, or reduce trust in psychology as a field; be aware of impact
of public bx of colleagues.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (b, awareness of values bias as teachers) - ANSWER-b. as
teachers, psychologists are aware that personal values affect instructional materials and recognize
and respect diverse attitudes of students.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (c, as employees/employers, statement on inhumane,
illegal, unjustifiable actions, or unlawful discrimination) - ANSWER-c. as employees or employers,
psychologists do not condone inhumane or illegal or unjustifiable actions, or unlawful
discriminatatory practices.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (d, professional role to uphold legal and civil rights) -
ANSWER-d. in professional roles, psychologists avoid action that will violate or diminish the legal and
civil rights of clients or anyone who might be affected by their actions.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (e, as practitioners and researchers) - ANSWER-e. as
practitioners and researchers, psychologists act in accord w/ APA standards and guidelines related to
practice and to the conduct of research with humans and animals; adhere to relevant laws and
institutional regs; whenever these are in conflict, commit to resolve; remain involved in development
of laws/regs to best serve public interest.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (a, informed choice, accurate, objective, and scientifically
acceptable content) - ANSWER-a. public statements, announcements, and promo activities must
provide sufficient info for the consumer/public to make informed judgements/choices; must
accurately and objectively represent prof qualifications, affiliations, and functions; statements must
be based on scientifically acceptable findings and techniques, and recognition of any
limitations/uncertainties of the evidence.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (b, must hold licensure to list as "psychologist") - ANSWER-b. only
psychologists licensed by state boards may be listed as a psychologist; if licensed in another state,
must prove to board in writing their current licensure in another state and compliance with $41.52
(relating to licensure in other states).
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (c, group, association, and corporate practice designation) -
ANSWER-c. Groups offering psychological services may list themselves under the heading
"psychologists-group, association and corporate practice" if they are licensed psychologists
responsible for the delivery of the services.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (d, announcements/advertising of professional services must
include) - ANSWER-d. when announcing or advertising prof services, list name, relevant academic
degrees, date, title and level of certification or licensure, diplomate status, professional
membershipstatus, address, phone, office hours, brief listing of the type of services offered, fee info,
languages spoken, and policies re: third party payments. Additional info can be listed if not prohibited
by other ethical principles.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (e, "personal growth groups") - ANSWER-e. announcements of
personal growth groups must provide clear statement of the purpose, nature of expeirences to be
provided. Education, training, and experience of the psychologist are appropriately identified.
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Act 31 - 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 - ANSWER-Law that mandates CE in suicide prevention
We need 1 hr as condition of licensure renewal
Privileged Communication Law - 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) - 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 - 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 - 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 - ANSWER-Where all regulations of state agencies are located.
Code of Ethics (APA v. PA State Board) - 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) - 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 - 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 - 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 - ANSWER-gives more specificity on advertisements than is found in the APA Ethics
Code.
Record Keeping Guidelines ($41.57) - 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) - ANSWER-30 contact hours (3 CEUS) per year
Biennium - ANSWER-The period of Dec 1 to Nov 30 of odd numbered years
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (a-d, objectivity, integrity, data usage) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - 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) - ANSWER-a. moral,
ethical, and legal standards of bx are personal to some degree, except where they may compromise
fulfillment of professional responsibilities, or reduce trust in psychology as a field; be aware of impact
of public bx of colleagues.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (b, awareness of values bias as teachers) - ANSWER-b. as
teachers, psychologists are aware that personal values affect instructional materials and recognize
and respect diverse attitudes of students.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (c, as employees/employers, statement on inhumane,
illegal, unjustifiable actions, or unlawful discrimination) - ANSWER-c. as employees or employers,
psychologists do not condone inhumane or illegal or unjustifiable actions, or unlawful
discriminatatory practices.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (d, professional role to uphold legal and civil rights) -
ANSWER-d. in professional roles, psychologists avoid action that will violate or diminish the legal and
civil rights of clients or anyone who might be affected by their actions.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (e, as practitioners and researchers) - ANSWER-e. as
practitioners and researchers, psychologists act in accord w/ APA standards and guidelines related to
practice and to the conduct of research with humans and animals; adhere to relevant laws and
institutional regs; whenever these are in conflict, commit to resolve; remain involved in development
of laws/regs to best serve public interest.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (a, informed choice, accurate, objective, and scientifically
acceptable content) - ANSWER-a. public statements, announcements, and promo activities must
provide sufficient info for the consumer/public to make informed judgements/choices; must
accurately and objectively represent prof qualifications, affiliations, and functions; statements must
be based on scientifically acceptable findings and techniques, and recognition of any
limitations/uncertainties of the evidence.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (b, must hold licensure to list as "psychologist") - ANSWER-b. only
psychologists licensed by state boards may be listed as a psychologist; if licensed in another state,
must prove to board in writing their current licensure in another state and compliance with $41.52
(relating to licensure in other states).
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (c, group, association, and corporate practice designation) -
ANSWER-c. Groups offering psychological services may list themselves under the heading
"psychologists-group, association and corporate practice" if they are licensed psychologists
responsible for the delivery of the services.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (d, announcements/advertising of professional services must
include) - ANSWER-d. when announcing or advertising prof services, list name, relevant academic
degrees, date, title and level of certification or licensure, diplomate status, professional
membershipstatus, address, phone, office hours, brief listing of the type of services offered, fee info,
languages spoken, and policies re: third party payments. Additional info can be listed if not prohibited
by other ethical principles.
Ethics Principle 4: Public Statement (e, "personal growth groups") - ANSWER-e. announcements of
personal growth groups must provide clear statement of the purpose, nature of expeirences to be
provided. Education, training, and experience of the psychologist are appropriately identified.
