PA Psychology Law Exam (PPLE) EXAM Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Professional Psychology Practice Act (1972) 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 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 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 Where all regulations of state agencies are located.
Code of Ethics (APA v. PA State Board) 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) 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 Applies to psychologists with terminal masters' degrees or with doctoral
academic degrees 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 The standards of the APA apply to all licensed psychologists in PA.
guidelines
Principle 4 - Public statements: Group ads; Public gives more specificity on advertisements than is found in the APA Ethics Code.
announcements; Personal growth groups; accurate
announcements
,PA Psychology Law Exam (PPLE) EXAM Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Record Keeping Guidelines ($41.57) 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) 30 contact hours (3 CEUS) per year
Biennium The period of Dec 1 to Nov 30 of odd numbered years
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (a-d, objectivity, a. objectivity and integrity of work
integrity, data usage) 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 e. as members of gov and other orgs, psychologists remain accountable to
liability, professional obligations, and guardian against highest standards of field
misuse) 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 i. as professionals using computerized assessments, or computer-generated
assessments) 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 a. the maintenance of high standards of professional competence is
limitations) 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, b. discourages the practice of psychology by unqualified persons and assists
policing) 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) 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.
, PA Psychology Law Exam (PPLE) EXAM Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (e-I, teaching and e. as teachers, psychologists provide accurate, current, and scholarly
continuing education) 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) 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 a. moral, ethical, and legal standards of bx are personal to some degree,
standards and limitations) 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, b. as teachers, psychologists are aware that personal values affect instructional
awareness of values bias as teachers) materials and recognize and respect diverse attitudes of students.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (c, as c. as employees or employers, psychologists do not condone inhumane or
employees/employers, statement on inhumane, illegal, illegal or unjustifiable actions, or unlawful discriminatatory practices.
unjustifiable actions, or unlawful discrimination)
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (d, d. in professional roles, psychologists avoid action that will violate or diminish
professional role to uphold legal and civil rights) the legal and civil rights of clients or anyone who might be affected by their
actions.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (e, as e. as practitioners and researchers, psychologists act in accord w/ APA
practitioners and researchers) 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, a. public statements, announcements, and promo activities must provide
accurate, objective, and scientifically acceptable sufficient info for the consumer/public to make informed judgements/choices;
content) 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 b. only psychologists licensed by state boards may be listed as a psychologist;
licensure to list as "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).
Professional Psychology Practice Act (1972) 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 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 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 Where all regulations of state agencies are located.
Code of Ethics (APA v. PA State Board) 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) 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 Applies to psychologists with terminal masters' degrees or with doctoral
academic degrees 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 The standards of the APA apply to all licensed psychologists in PA.
guidelines
Principle 4 - Public statements: Group ads; Public gives more specificity on advertisements than is found in the APA Ethics Code.
announcements; Personal growth groups; accurate
announcements
,PA Psychology Law Exam (PPLE) EXAM Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Record Keeping Guidelines ($41.57) 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) 30 contact hours (3 CEUS) per year
Biennium The period of Dec 1 to Nov 30 of odd numbered years
Ethics Principle 1: Responsibility (a-d, objectivity, a. objectivity and integrity of work
integrity, data usage) 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 e. as members of gov and other orgs, psychologists remain accountable to
liability, professional obligations, and guardian against highest standards of field
misuse) 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 i. as professionals using computerized assessments, or computer-generated
assessments) 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 a. the maintenance of high standards of professional competence is
limitations) 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, b. discourages the practice of psychology by unqualified persons and assists
policing) 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) 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.
, PA Psychology Law Exam (PPLE) EXAM Questions with 100% Correct Answers
Ethics Principle 2: Competence (e-I, teaching and e. as teachers, psychologists provide accurate, current, and scholarly
continuing education) 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) 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 a. moral, ethical, and legal standards of bx are personal to some degree,
standards and limitations) 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, b. as teachers, psychologists are aware that personal values affect instructional
awareness of values bias as teachers) materials and recognize and respect diverse attitudes of students.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (c, as c. as employees or employers, psychologists do not condone inhumane or
employees/employers, statement on inhumane, illegal, illegal or unjustifiable actions, or unlawful discriminatatory practices.
unjustifiable actions, or unlawful discrimination)
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (d, d. in professional roles, psychologists avoid action that will violate or diminish
professional role to uphold legal and civil rights) the legal and civil rights of clients or anyone who might be affected by their
actions.
Ethics Principle 3: Moral & Legal Standards (e, as e. as practitioners and researchers, psychologists act in accord w/ APA
practitioners and researchers) 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, a. public statements, announcements, and promo activities must provide
accurate, objective, and scientifically acceptable sufficient info for the consumer/public to make informed judgements/choices;
content) 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 b. only psychologists licensed by state boards may be listed as a psychologist;
licensure to list as "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).
