100+ Free ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Practice Questions
Pass your ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Specialty Examination exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Brief alcohol screening for medical settings is best done via:
Explore More ABPP Professional Psychology Specialty Boards
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Exam
100
FREE Knowledge-Prep MCQs
OpenExamPrep ABPP CHP knowledge-base questions for oral-exam preparation
~3 hr
Oral Examination Length
ABCHP half-day oral examination
~20%
Biopsych + Behavior-Change Weight
Largest content domain across knowledge-prep distribution
~$875
2026 Total Fees Est.
Application + practice-sample review + oral examination per ABPP fee schedule
10 yr
MOC Cycle
ABPP Maintenance of Certification
Oral exam
Primary Delivery
Competency-based oral examination preceded by practice-sample review
ABPP CHP is a competency-based oral examination preceded by credentials and practice-sample review. The 2026 process emphasizes biopsychosocial framework (~20%), chronic pain and chronic disease psychology (~20%), oncology/cardiac/diabetes (~15%), weight/eating (~10%), CBT-I (~10%), integrated primary care (~10%), transplant evaluation (~5%), and ethics/professional issues in medical settings (~10%). Candidates must hold a doctoral psychology degree, current licensure, and postdoctoral specialty experience in clinical health psychology.
Sample ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ABPP Clinical Health Psychology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which framework best characterizes the foundational conceptual model of Clinical Health Psychology?
2Which behavior-change framework specifies stages of precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance?
3A patient says 'I know I should quit smoking, but I just enjoy it too much.' Which motivational interviewing technique is most appropriate first?
4Which intervention has the strongest evidence base as a first-line psychological treatment for chronic low back pain?
5On the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), which subscale captures the cognitive component 'I keep thinking about how much it hurts'?
6Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic pain primarily targets which process?
7A patient with chronic pancreatitis and pain is being evaluated for long-term opioid therapy. Which validated instrument best stratifies opioid misuse risk?
8Which adjustment to chronic illness framework emphasizes the iterative interplay of illness representations, coping, and outcomes?
9In oncology psychology, what is the most commonly used brief screen for distress endorsed by NCCN guidelines?
10Cancer-related fatigue is best managed psychologically with which combination?
About the ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Exam
The ABPP Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) Specialty Examination is administered by the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology under the umbrella of the American Board of Professional Psychology. The examination process includes three sequential stages: (1) credentials review (doctoral degree from APA/CPA-accredited program, current licensure, postdoctoral specialty training and experience); (2) practice-sample review (de-identified case material demonstrating competencies in assessment, intervention, consultation, and ethics in medical settings); and (3) a half-day oral examination assessing foundational competencies (ethics, individual and cultural diversity, professionalism, reflective practice, evidence-based practice) and functional competencies (assessment, intervention, consultation, research, supervision, and management). Content spans the biopsychosocial model, health behavior change, chronic disease and pain psychology (CBT-CP, ACT, biofeedback), oncology/cardiac/diabetes psychology, weight and eating, CBT-I for insomnia, integrated primary care behavioral health, transplant psychological evaluation, and ethics specific to medical settings (HIPAA, capacity, advance directives, SPIKES). The 100 practice questions in this bank prepare the knowledge base assessed throughout the oral examination and practice-sample discussion.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Half-day oral examination (~3 hours) after credentials and practice-sample review
Passing Score
Competency-based pass standard set by ABCHP examiners
Exam Fee
~$875 total (application + practice sample review + oral examination) (American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) / American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (ABCHP))
ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Exam Content Outline
Biopsychosocial Model & Health Behavior Change
Engel's biopsychosocial framework, biopsychosocial-spiritual extension, allostatic load (McEwen). Transtheoretical Model (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance), Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues, self-efficacy), Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura — self-efficacy, mastery experiences). Motivational interviewing (partnership, acceptance, compassion, evocation; OARS — open questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries; decisional balance; change talk vs sustain talk). USPHS 5 A's for tobacco (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange). Medication adherence — tailored, multicomponent behavioral interventions per Cochrane evidence. MBSR (Kabat-Zinn) and MBCT (Segal, Williams, Teasdale) for relapse prevention.
Chronic Disease & Pain Psychology
CBT for chronic pain (CBT-CP) endorsed by ACP/VA/DoD/IASP — cognitive restructuring of catastrophizing, behavioral activation, pacing/graded activity, relaxation. ACT for chronic pain — psychological flexibility (acceptance, defusion, present-moment, self-as-context, values, committed action). Pain Catastrophizing Scale subscales — rumination, magnification, helplessness. Fear-avoidance model (Vlaeyen & Linton). Fibromyalgia ACR 2016 criteria (WPI + SSS). Opioid risk stratification — ORT, SOAPP-R; CDC 2022 opioid prescribing guidance. Buprenorphine/naloxone for OUD with chronic pain. Biofeedback — frontalis EMG (Level A for tension-type headache), thermal for migraine, HRV at ~6 breaths/min (resonance frequency). Diaphragmatic breathing and PMR for parasympathetic activation. CBT for non-cardiac chest pain. Preoperative behavioral preparation. Preoperative depression and catastrophizing predict spine-surgery outcomes.
Oncology, Cardiac & Diabetes Psychology
NCCN Distress Thermometer (≥4 triggers evaluation) plus 39-item problem list, IOM 'Cancer Care for the Whole Patient,' Commission on Cancer standards. Cancer-related fatigue — CBT-F plus graded activity (NCCN/ASCO Level 1). Anticipatory nausea — systematic desensitization, guided imagery, hypnosis. Survivorship care planning. Breast cancer hot flashes — MENOS CBT (Hunter) and hypnosis (Elkins). Cancer-related PTSD (DSM-5-TR). Type D personality (negative affectivity + social inhibition, Denollet). Post-MI depression as mortality predictor; AHA depression-screening recommendations. Phase II cardiac rehabilitation (AHA/AACVPR). ICD-related anxiety and shock fear. Heart failure self-care (Riegel — maintenance, monitoring, management). Diabetes distress (PAID, DDS-17), DSMES, CBT for hypoglycemia fear, depression-HbA1c bidirectional relationship.
Weight, Obesity & Eating
USPSTF B recommendation for intensive behavioral therapy (multicomponent IBT >12 sessions; CMS IBT for obesity in primary care). CBT for BED reduces binge frequency robustly; lisdexamfetamine FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe BED. FBT (Maudsley; Lock & Le Grange) for adolescent anorexia nervosa — three phases. FDA-approved anti-obesity medications — semaglutide, tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP dual agonist), naltrexone-bupropion, phentermine-topiramate, liraglutide, orlistat. Pre-bariatric psychological evaluation per ASMBS — readiness, untreated eating disorders, substance use, regimen adherence capacity. SCOFF (≥2 positive) brief eating-disorder screen.
Sleep & CBT-I
CBT-I first-line per AASM and ACP. Stimulus control (Bootzin) — bed only for sleep and sex, get out of bed if unable to sleep within ~20 minutes, fixed wake time, no daytime naps. Sleep restriction — initially limit TIB to actual sleep time, build sleep drive, expand as efficiency rises >85-90%. Cognitive therapy — challenge dysfunctional beliefs about sleep. Relaxation training (PMR, diaphragmatic breathing). Sleep hygiene as adjunct. Sleep restriction contraindications — bipolar disorder, untreated seizure disorder, occupational safety risks. Older adults — modified CBT-I (slower titration, fall risk, daytime sleepiness monitoring); Beers Criteria avoid chronic benzodiazepines and anticholinergic hypnotics. Measures — Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, STOP-BANG (OSA).
Integrated Primary Care & Behavioral Medicine
Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH; Robinson & Reiter) — embedded BHC, brief (15-30 min) same-day consults, generalist, population-health approach with warm handoffs. Collaborative Care Model (IMPACT; Unutzer) — care manager + consulting psychiatrist + measurement-based care + stepped care; CMS CoCM codes (99492-99494, G2214). SAMHSA-HRSA integration continuum — coordinated → co-located → integrated. Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) principles. Brief CBT components in primary care, behavioral activation for medically ill depression. USPSTF universal adult depression screening with PHQ-2/PHQ-9 when systems in place. AUDIT-C plus SBIRT for unhealthy alcohol use. Newest Vital Sign and REALM-SF health-literacy screens; teach-back communication. Measurement-based care — PHQ-9, GAD-7, BHM-20 (Behavioral Health Measure-20).
Transplant Evaluation
Validated structured assessments — SIPAT (Maldonado, 2012), TERS, PACT. Domains — psychological stability, readiness, social support, substance use, regimen adherence capacity, cognitive capacity. Liver transplant — typical 6-month abstinence policy for severe AUD, treatment engagement requirement. Lung transplant — documented tobacco abstinence required. Hepatic encephalopathy — defer formal neuropsychological testing until medical optimization; consider PHES, Number Connection Test for minimal HE. Pre-transplant findings inform postoperative behavioral support, not categorical denial.
Ethics & Professional Issues in Medical Settings
APA Ethics Code (2017) — Standard 2.01 Boundaries of Competence; 3.10 informed consent; 4.02 discussing limits of confidentiality; 4.05 disclosures; 9.02 use of assessments; 10.01 informed consent to therapy. HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR 164.508) — psychotherapy notes require specific authorization, separate from designated record set; routine TPO disclosures do not extend to psychotherapy notes. Capacity (Appelbaum-Grisso four components — understanding, appreciation, reasoning, expressing a choice); capacity vs competency. Advance directives — Five Wishes, POLST/MOLST, serious illness conversation guides. SPIKES protocol (Baile) for delivering bad news. Dignity therapy (Chochinov). Consultation-liaison (Lipowski/Caplan). APA Multicultural Guidelines and evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP). Confidentiality in shared-EHR integrated care. Mandated reporting for IPV, child abuse, elder abuse per jurisdiction.
How to Pass the ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Competency-based pass standard set by ABCHP examiners
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Half-day oral examination (~3 hours) after credentials and practice-sample review
- Exam fee: ~$875 total (application + practice sample review + oral examination)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Specialty Examination?
The ABPP Clinical Health Psychology Specialty Examination is the board certification process administered by the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (ABCHP) under the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). It is a competency-based credentialing pathway — not a stand-alone written multiple-choice exam. Candidates submit credentials demonstrating doctoral training, licensure, and specialty experience; complete a practice-sample review of de-identified case material; and pass a half-day oral examination in foundational and functional competencies (assessment, intervention, consultation, ethics, supervision, research, management) applied to physical health, illness, and the healthcare system.
Do these 100 MCQs replace the ABPP oral exam?
No. The 100 practice questions in this bank do not replace the ABPP oral examination or the practice-sample review. ABPP CHP uses credentials review, practice samples, and an oral examination — not a stand-alone written MCQ exam. These questions are knowledge preparation for the topics, frameworks, instruments, and ethical issues that come up in practice samples, oral examiner questions, and case discussions during the certification process.
Who is eligible for ABPP Clinical Health Psychology certification?
Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, EdD) from an APA- or CPA-accredited program (or equivalent ABPP-accepted pathway), current independent licensure as a psychologist, and postdoctoral specialty experience in clinical health psychology. A recognized formal training pathway (fellowship or supervised practice in health psychology) is generally expected. Verify current eligibility on the ABPP CHP specialty board page at abpp.org.
What does the oral examination cover?
The half-day oral examination assesses foundational competencies (ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, reflective practice, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary systems) and functional competencies (assessment, intervention, consultation, research and evaluation, supervision and teaching, management/administration, advocacy) as applied to clinical health psychology. Examiners draw on the candidate's submitted practice samples and present additional clinical vignettes spanning chronic disease, pain, oncology, cardiac, diabetes, weight, sleep, integrated care, transplant evaluation, and ethics in medical settings.
How much does ABPP CHP certification cost?
Application, practice-sample review, and oral examination fees total approximately $875 in current ABPP fee schedules (verify on abpp.org). Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is required every 10 years with continuing education and self-study components. Practice-sample resubmission or oral re-examination, if needed, incurs additional fees per ABPP policy.
How is the exam scored?
ABPP CHP uses a competency-based pass standard rather than a numeric cut score. Examiners evaluate the candidate's responses, integration of evidence, ethical reasoning, and case formulation against ABCHP competency rubrics. Outcomes are pass or non-pass; if non-pass, examiners typically provide developmental feedback identifying competency areas for further preparation.
What are the highest-yield study topics?
Highest-yield areas include: biopsychosocial model and behavior-change theories (TTM, HBM, TPB, SCT, MI); CBT-CP and ACT for chronic pain plus the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and fear-avoidance model; CBT-I components and contraindications (AASM, ACP); NCCN Distress Thermometer and cancer-related fatigue management; cardiac psychology (post-MI depression, cardiac rehab, ICD anxiety); diabetes distress measures (PAID, DDS-17) and DSMES; bariatric/weight evidence-based interventions and GLP-1 pharmacotherapy; PCBH and Collaborative Care models with CMS CoCM codes; SIPAT for transplant evaluation; HIPAA psychotherapy-note protections; APA Ethics Code 2.01 competence boundaries; capacity assessment via Appelbaum-Grisso; SPIKES bad-news protocol; advance directives; and APA Multicultural Guidelines plus EBPP.
How should I prepare?
Use a 12-18 month plan: (1) develop credentials and practice samples illustrating functional competencies; (2) deepen knowledge across the eight content areas (biopsychosocial, chronic pain, chronic disease, weight/eating, sleep, integrated care, transplant, ethics) using foundational texts (Belar & Deardorff; ABPP study guides), guidelines (NCCN, AHA, AASM, ACP, ASMBS, USPSTF), and APA Ethics Code; (3) drill MCQs for breadth (this 100-question bank) and read practice-sample examples; (4) complete several mock oral exams with experienced ABPP-CHP colleagues; (5) finalize and submit practice samples; (6) refine ethical reasoning and case-formulation language for the oral exam.