| Initial Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
The purpose of the ABPN’s initial certification examination is to test the qualifications of candidates in child and adolescent psychiatry. Child and adolescent psychiatry entails having additional skills and training in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental, behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders of childhood and adolescence. New Certification Information |
Initial Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Certification Process: New Format and Timetable Announced September 2008
For residents who begin CAP training on or after July 1, 2010:
The CAP Part II (oral) examination will be eliminated. The CAP certification process will consist of a single computerized examination (CAP Certification Examination); first administration in 2012.
For residents who begin CAP training before July 1, 2010:
To become Board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, candidates must pass both the CAP Part I (computer-administered) and CAP Part II (oral) examinations.
Candidates who do NOT pass the CAP Part I examination in 2015* or before, or who do NOT complete the certification process by December 31, 2017, will be required to submit documentation of satisfactory performance in the evaluation of clinical skills completed by the current Program Director of an ACGME-accredited program as part of the ABPN credentialing process. In addition, such candidates will be required to pass the new CAP Certification Examination.
* Note: The 2015 CAP Part I examination will not be available for first-time takers. The current-format CAP Part I examination will be eliminated after 2015.
History and Statement of Principles
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc., in concurrence with the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties, established a Committee on Certification in Child Psychiatry in February 1959. This was done to officially establish the field of child psychiatry as a definite area of subspecialization in psychiatry and to provide a means of identifying the properly trained and experienced child psychiatrist as distinguished from those who claim proficiency in this field without adequate background and qualifications. In November 1987, the name of the Committee was changed to the Committee on Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
The actual mechanics of certification of qualified candidates and the establishment of basic policies have been delegated by the Board to the Committee, which operates under the supervision and in accordance with the policies of the Board. This Committee presently consists of six members certified in child and adolescent psychiatry by the Board, and one member certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. The Committee holds meetings each year for the purpose of examining candidates and transacting business.
Specific Requirements
Specific requirements for certification in child and adolescent psychiatry are described in detail in the Information for Applicants (IFA) publication. This publication and corresponding application are revised each year and are available as pdf files.
Additionally, the ABPN annually revises content outlines of topics that will be covered in each examination that is offered. These publications may be downloaded from the Content Outlines page. The ABPN also maintains core competencies outlines for its specialties and subspecialties.