Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
**Question 1.** Under the Professional Psychologists Practice Act, which of the following best defines
“practice of psychology”?
A) Any activity that involves the diagnosis of mental disorders.
B) The provision of any counseling service to adults.
C) The application of psychological knowledge for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or
consultation.
D) Teaching psychology at a university.
Answer: C
Explanation: The Act defines “practice of psychology” as the application of psychological knowledge for
assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or consultation, not merely teaching or generic counseling.
**Question 2.** The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology is primarily responsible for which of the
following?
A) Granting medical licenses.
B) Regulating the practice of psychology and enforcing disciplinary actions.
C) Setting tuition rates for psychology graduate programs.
D) Conducting research on mental health trends.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Board’s core functions are to regulate psychology practice, promulgate rules, and
enforce discipline.
**Question 3.** Which act requires psychologists to report suspected child abuse in Pennsylvania?
A) Act 31
B) Act 74
C) Mental Health Procedures Act
D) Act 52
Answer: A
, Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
Explanation: Act 31 specifically mandates reporting of suspected child abuse by professionals, including
psychologists.
**Question 4.** The mandatory continuing education (CE) hour on suicide prevention is required by
which statute?
A) Act 31
B) Act 74
C) The Professional Psychologists Practice Act
D) The Mental Health Procedures Act
Answer: B
Explanation: Act 74 requires psychologists to complete one hour of suicide prevention CE biennially.
**Question 5.** To be eligible for licensure, a psychologist must graduate from a program accredited by
which organization?
A) American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
B) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
C) American Counseling Association (ACA)
D) National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Answer: A
Explanation: The Act requires a doctoral degree from an APA- or CPA-accredited program.
**Question 6.** How many post-doctoral supervised hours are required for licensure in Pennsylvania?
A) 500–750 hours
B) 1,000–1,250 hours
C) 1,500–1,750 hours
D) 2,000–2,250 hours
Answer: C
Explanation: The Board mandates 1,500–1,750 supervised post-doctoral hours.
, Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
**Question 7.** The biennial renewal period for a Pennsylvania psychologist’s license runs from:
A) January 1 to December 31 of even-numbered years.
B) July 1 to June 30 of odd-numbered years.
C) December 1 to November 30 of odd-numbered years.
D) March 1 to February 28 of even-numbered years.
Answer: C
Explanation: Licenses are renewed from December 1 to November 30 of odd-numbered years.
**Question 8.** Which of the following CE topics is NOT mandated by Pennsylvania law?
A) Ethics (3 hours)
B) Child Abuse Reporting (2 hours)
C) Cultural Competence (2 hours)
D) Suicide Prevention (1 hour)
Answer: C
Explanation: The law specifies ethics, child-abuse reporting, and suicide prevention; cultural competence
is not mandated.
**Question 9.** If a psychologist wishes to place their license on “inactive” status, which of the
following is required?
A) Completion of a forensic psychology specialization.
B) Submission of a written request to the Board and payment of the inactive-status fee.
C) Publication of a notice in a professional journal.
D) A minimum of five years of continuous practice.
Answer: B
Explanation: Inactive status is achieved by filing a request and paying the associated fee.
**Question 10.** Under Principle 1 of the PA Code of Ethics, a psychologist is primarily responsible for:
A) Maximizing profit for the practice.
B) Maintaining objectivity and integrity in professional services.
, Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
C) Ensuring all clients receive the same treatment plan.
D) Delegating all ethical decisions to supervisors.
Answer: B
Explanation: Principle 1 emphasizes objectivity and integrity in services.
**Question 11.** A psychologist’s liability for the negligent acts of a supervised intern falls under which
ethical principle?
A) Principle 2 – Competence
B) Principle 3 – Moral & Legal Standards
C) Principle 5 – Confidentiality
D) Principle 1 – Responsibility
Answer: D
Explanation: Principle 1 holds psychologists accountable for services rendered by subordinates.
**Question 12.** Which of the following best illustrates a violation of Principle 2 – Competence?
A) Referring a client to a specialist when the case exceeds the psychologist’s expertise.
B) Using an unvalidated assessment tool on a client.
C) Disclosing client information to a family member with consent.
D) Advertising services on a personal blog.
Answer: B
Explanation: Employing an unvalidated tool exceeds competence; referral would be appropriate, not a
violation.
**Question 13.** According to Principle 3, a psychologist’s personal conduct can affect:
A) Their eligibility for research grants.
B) The public’s trust in the profession.
C) The cost of malpractice insurance.
D) The number of CE credits required.
Answer: B
Ultimate Exam
**Question 1.** Under the Professional Psychologists Practice Act, which of the following best defines
“practice of psychology”?
A) Any activity that involves the diagnosis of mental disorders.
B) The provision of any counseling service to adults.
C) The application of psychological knowledge for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or
consultation.
D) Teaching psychology at a university.
Answer: C
Explanation: The Act defines “practice of psychology” as the application of psychological knowledge for
assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or consultation, not merely teaching or generic counseling.
**Question 2.** The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology is primarily responsible for which of the
following?
A) Granting medical licenses.
B) Regulating the practice of psychology and enforcing disciplinary actions.
C) Setting tuition rates for psychology graduate programs.
D) Conducting research on mental health trends.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Board’s core functions are to regulate psychology practice, promulgate rules, and
enforce discipline.
**Question 3.** Which act requires psychologists to report suspected child abuse in Pennsylvania?
A) Act 31
B) Act 74
C) Mental Health Procedures Act
D) Act 52
Answer: A
, Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
Explanation: Act 31 specifically mandates reporting of suspected child abuse by professionals, including
psychologists.
**Question 4.** The mandatory continuing education (CE) hour on suicide prevention is required by
which statute?
A) Act 31
B) Act 74
C) The Professional Psychologists Practice Act
D) The Mental Health Procedures Act
Answer: B
Explanation: Act 74 requires psychologists to complete one hour of suicide prevention CE biennially.
**Question 5.** To be eligible for licensure, a psychologist must graduate from a program accredited by
which organization?
A) American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
B) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
C) American Counseling Association (ACA)
D) National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Answer: A
Explanation: The Act requires a doctoral degree from an APA- or CPA-accredited program.
**Question 6.** How many post-doctoral supervised hours are required for licensure in Pennsylvania?
A) 500–750 hours
B) 1,000–1,250 hours
C) 1,500–1,750 hours
D) 2,000–2,250 hours
Answer: C
Explanation: The Board mandates 1,500–1,750 supervised post-doctoral hours.
, Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
**Question 7.** The biennial renewal period for a Pennsylvania psychologist’s license runs from:
A) January 1 to December 31 of even-numbered years.
B) July 1 to June 30 of odd-numbered years.
C) December 1 to November 30 of odd-numbered years.
D) March 1 to February 28 of even-numbered years.
Answer: C
Explanation: Licenses are renewed from December 1 to November 30 of odd-numbered years.
**Question 8.** Which of the following CE topics is NOT mandated by Pennsylvania law?
A) Ethics (3 hours)
B) Child Abuse Reporting (2 hours)
C) Cultural Competence (2 hours)
D) Suicide Prevention (1 hour)
Answer: C
Explanation: The law specifies ethics, child-abuse reporting, and suicide prevention; cultural competence
is not mandated.
**Question 9.** If a psychologist wishes to place their license on “inactive” status, which of the
following is required?
A) Completion of a forensic psychology specialization.
B) Submission of a written request to the Board and payment of the inactive-status fee.
C) Publication of a notice in a professional journal.
D) A minimum of five years of continuous practice.
Answer: B
Explanation: Inactive status is achieved by filing a request and paying the associated fee.
**Question 10.** Under Principle 1 of the PA Code of Ethics, a psychologist is primarily responsible for:
A) Maximizing profit for the practice.
B) Maintaining objectivity and integrity in professional services.
, Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination PPLE
Ultimate Exam
C) Ensuring all clients receive the same treatment plan.
D) Delegating all ethical decisions to supervisors.
Answer: B
Explanation: Principle 1 emphasizes objectivity and integrity in services.
**Question 11.** A psychologist’s liability for the negligent acts of a supervised intern falls under which
ethical principle?
A) Principle 2 – Competence
B) Principle 3 – Moral & Legal Standards
C) Principle 5 – Confidentiality
D) Principle 1 – Responsibility
Answer: D
Explanation: Principle 1 holds psychologists accountable for services rendered by subordinates.
**Question 12.** Which of the following best illustrates a violation of Principle 2 – Competence?
A) Referring a client to a specialist when the case exceeds the psychologist’s expertise.
B) Using an unvalidated assessment tool on a client.
C) Disclosing client information to a family member with consent.
D) Advertising services on a personal blog.
Answer: B
Explanation: Employing an unvalidated tool exceeds competence; referral would be appropriate, not a
violation.
**Question 13.** According to Principle 3, a psychologist’s personal conduct can affect:
A) Their eligibility for research grants.
B) The public’s trust in the profession.
C) The cost of malpractice insurance.
D) The number of CE credits required.
Answer: B
