PA Psychology Law Exam (PPLE) –
Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination
Study Guide and Practice Questions
Section 1: Professional Psychologists Practice Act
cx cx cx cx cx
1. What is the primary purpose of the Professional Psychologists Practice Act?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) To increase the number of practicing psychologists in Pennsylvania
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
B) To protect the public safety and welfare by regulating the practice of psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
C) To establish fee schedules for psychological services
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) To define the scope of insurance reimbursement for psychological treatment
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The Professional Psychologists Practice Act recognizes that the practice of psychology aff
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ects public safety and welfare. Its purpose is to regulate and control the profession in the public inter
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
est, protecting the public from unprofessional, improper, unauthorized, and unqualified practice .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
2. In what year was the Professional Psychologists Practice Act originally enacted?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 1965
cx
B) 1972
cx
C) 1980
cx
D) 1990
cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The Professional Psychologists Practice Act was enacted in 1972 (P.L.136, No.52). This act
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
established the framework for psychological licensure and regulation in Pennsylvania .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
3. According to the Practice Act, the practice of psychology involves the application of est
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ablished principles of: cx cx
A) Medical diagnosis and treatment only
cx cx cx cx cx
B) Social work and counseling theories
cx cx cx cx cx
C) Learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relationships
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) Psychiatric medication management
cx cx cx
Correct Answer: C cx cx
,Rationale: The Practice Act defines the practice of psychology as the application of established princ
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
iples of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relationships to problems of perso
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
nality evaluation, group relations, and behavior adjustment .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
4. Which of the following is included in the legal definition of the "practice of psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
" in Pennsylvania?
cx cx
A) Prescribing psychiatric medications
cx cx cx
B) Counseling and the use of psychological methods with persons or groups having adjustment
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
problems
C) Performing medical procedures
cx cx cx
D) Providing occupational therapy services
cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The practice of psychology includes counseling and the use of psychological methods wit
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
h individuals or groups experiencing adjustment problems in work, family, school, and personal rela
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
tionships, as well as measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, and emotions .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
5. Which of the following is an exemption from licensure under the Professional Psycholo
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
gists Practice Act?
cx cx
A) Providing psychological services in a private practice
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
B) Simple acts of persuasion or suggestion by one person to another
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
C) Conducting psychological testing for employment purposes
cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) Providing therapy to clients for a fee
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Exemptions include simple acts of persuasion or suggestion, persons licensed to practice
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
healing arts, qualified members of other recognized professions, volunteers in crisis situations, certai
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
n government-
cx
employed psychologists, social psychologists, faculty members, students/interns, I/O psychologists,
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
and those presenting research .
cx cx cx cx
6. The Professional Psychologists Practice Act grants the State Board of Psychology the po
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
wer to: cx
A) Prescribe medications
cx cx
B) Regulate the practice of psychology through licensure, registration, certification, and discipline
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
,C) Set insurance reimbursement rates
cx cx cx cx
D) License medical doctors
cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The State Board of Psychology is responsible for regulating the practice of psychology thr
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ough licensure, registration, certification, and discipline of those engaged in psychological practice i
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
n Pennsylvania .
cx cx
Section 2: Licensure Requirements cx cx cx
7. To be eligible to take the licensure examinations in Pennsylvania, an applicant must hav
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
e obtained:
cx
A) A master's degree in psychology
cx cx cx cx cx
B) A doctoral degree in psychology or a field related to psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
C) A bachelor's degree with 5 years of experience
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) A medical degree
cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Applicants must have obtained a doctoral degree in psychology or a field related to psych
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ology and completed all educational degree requirements to be eligible for licensure examinations .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
8. What are the two examinations required for psychology licensure in Pennsylvania?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) EPPP and CPLEE
cx cx cx
B) EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) and PPLE (Pennsylvania Psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx c
Law Examination)
x cx
C) NCE and NCMHCE
cx cx cx
D) GRE Psychology Subject Test and EPPP
cx cx cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Applicants must obtain a passing score on both the Examination for Professional Practice
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
in Psychology (EPPP) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) to qualify for licen
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
sure . cx
9. How many post-doctoral hours are required to be eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 1000 hours
cx cx
B) 1750 hours
cx cx
, C) 2000 hours
cx cx
D) 3000 hours
cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The PPLE requires 1750 post- cx cx cx cx cx
doctoral hours to be eligible for licensure. These hours must be completed under appropriate superv
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ision . cx
10. What is the minimum number of hours a post-
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
doc must work each week to count toward total post-doctoral hours for licensure?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 10 hours
cx cx
B) 15 hours
cx cx
C) 20 hours
cx cx
D) 30 hours
cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Post- cx
doctoral hours must be at least 15 hours per week to count toward the total required for licensure. T
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
he maximum that can count per week is 45 hours .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
11. How many hours of pre-doctoral internship experience are required?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 750 hours
cx cx
B) 1000 hours
cx cx
C) 1500 hours
cx cx
D) 2000 hours
cx cx
Correct Answer: C cx cx
Rationale: The pre- cx cx
doctoral internship requires 1500 hours of experience. At least 375 of these hours must be in direct p
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
atient contact . cx cx
12. Before beginning the pre-
cx cx cx cx
doctoral internship, doctoral students must complete at least how many hours of clinical c
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ontact?
A) 250 hours
cx cx
B) 450 hours
cx cx
Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination
Study Guide and Practice Questions
Section 1: Professional Psychologists Practice Act
cx cx cx cx cx
1. What is the primary purpose of the Professional Psychologists Practice Act?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) To increase the number of practicing psychologists in Pennsylvania
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
B) To protect the public safety and welfare by regulating the practice of psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
C) To establish fee schedules for psychological services
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) To define the scope of insurance reimbursement for psychological treatment
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The Professional Psychologists Practice Act recognizes that the practice of psychology aff
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ects public safety and welfare. Its purpose is to regulate and control the profession in the public inter
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
est, protecting the public from unprofessional, improper, unauthorized, and unqualified practice .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
2. In what year was the Professional Psychologists Practice Act originally enacted?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 1965
cx
B) 1972
cx
C) 1980
cx
D) 1990
cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The Professional Psychologists Practice Act was enacted in 1972 (P.L.136, No.52). This act
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
established the framework for psychological licensure and regulation in Pennsylvania .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
3. According to the Practice Act, the practice of psychology involves the application of est
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ablished principles of: cx cx
A) Medical diagnosis and treatment only
cx cx cx cx cx
B) Social work and counseling theories
cx cx cx cx cx
C) Learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relationships
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) Psychiatric medication management
cx cx cx
Correct Answer: C cx cx
,Rationale: The Practice Act defines the practice of psychology as the application of established princ
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
iples of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relationships to problems of perso
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
nality evaluation, group relations, and behavior adjustment .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
4. Which of the following is included in the legal definition of the "practice of psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
" in Pennsylvania?
cx cx
A) Prescribing psychiatric medications
cx cx cx
B) Counseling and the use of psychological methods with persons or groups having adjustment
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
problems
C) Performing medical procedures
cx cx cx
D) Providing occupational therapy services
cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The practice of psychology includes counseling and the use of psychological methods wit
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
h individuals or groups experiencing adjustment problems in work, family, school, and personal rela
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
tionships, as well as measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, and emotions .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
5. Which of the following is an exemption from licensure under the Professional Psycholo
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
gists Practice Act?
cx cx
A) Providing psychological services in a private practice
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
B) Simple acts of persuasion or suggestion by one person to another
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
C) Conducting psychological testing for employment purposes
cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) Providing therapy to clients for a fee
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Exemptions include simple acts of persuasion or suggestion, persons licensed to practice
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
healing arts, qualified members of other recognized professions, volunteers in crisis situations, certai
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
n government-
cx
employed psychologists, social psychologists, faculty members, students/interns, I/O psychologists,
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
and those presenting research .
cx cx cx cx
6. The Professional Psychologists Practice Act grants the State Board of Psychology the po
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
wer to: cx
A) Prescribe medications
cx cx
B) Regulate the practice of psychology through licensure, registration, certification, and discipline
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
,C) Set insurance reimbursement rates
cx cx cx cx
D) License medical doctors
cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The State Board of Psychology is responsible for regulating the practice of psychology thr
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ough licensure, registration, certification, and discipline of those engaged in psychological practice i
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
n Pennsylvania .
cx cx
Section 2: Licensure Requirements cx cx cx
7. To be eligible to take the licensure examinations in Pennsylvania, an applicant must hav
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
e obtained:
cx
A) A master's degree in psychology
cx cx cx cx cx
B) A doctoral degree in psychology or a field related to psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
C) A bachelor's degree with 5 years of experience
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
D) A medical degree
cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Applicants must have obtained a doctoral degree in psychology or a field related to psych
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ology and completed all educational degree requirements to be eligible for licensure examinations .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
8. What are the two examinations required for psychology licensure in Pennsylvania?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) EPPP and CPLEE
cx cx cx
B) EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) and PPLE (Pennsylvania Psychology
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx c
Law Examination)
x cx
C) NCE and NCMHCE
cx cx cx
D) GRE Psychology Subject Test and EPPP
cx cx cx cx cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Applicants must obtain a passing score on both the Examination for Professional Practice
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
in Psychology (EPPP) and the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) to qualify for licen
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
sure . cx
9. How many post-doctoral hours are required to be eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 1000 hours
cx cx
B) 1750 hours
cx cx
, C) 2000 hours
cx cx
D) 3000 hours
cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: The PPLE requires 1750 post- cx cx cx cx cx
doctoral hours to be eligible for licensure. These hours must be completed under appropriate superv
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ision . cx
10. What is the minimum number of hours a post-
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
doc must work each week to count toward total post-doctoral hours for licensure?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 10 hours
cx cx
B) 15 hours
cx cx
C) 20 hours
cx cx
D) 30 hours
cx cx
Correct Answer: B cx cx
Rationale: Post- cx
doctoral hours must be at least 15 hours per week to count toward the total required for licensure. T
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
he maximum that can count per week is 45 hours .
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
11. How many hours of pre-doctoral internship experience are required?
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
A) 750 hours
cx cx
B) 1000 hours
cx cx
C) 1500 hours
cx cx
D) 2000 hours
cx cx
Correct Answer: C cx cx
Rationale: The pre- cx cx
doctoral internship requires 1500 hours of experience. At least 375 of these hours must be in direct p
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
atient contact . cx cx
12. Before beginning the pre-
cx cx cx cx
doctoral internship, doctoral students must complete at least how many hours of clinical c
cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx cx
ontact?
A) 250 hours
cx cx
B) 450 hours
cx cx
