How to Find a Neuropsychologist

Not everyone who calls themselves a neuropsychologist has completed specialty training. Here is what to look for — and why it matters.

What is a clinical neuropsychologist?

Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty formally recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1996. The most current training guidelines in the field — the Minnesota Conference Guidelines — define the specialty as follows (Stringer et al., 2025).

Clinical neuropsychology “applies principles of assessment and intervention based upon the scientific study of human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system. The specialty is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of brain-based relationships and the application of such knowledge to human problems.”

— Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology (CoSPP, 2012), as cited in Minnesota Conference Guidelines (2024).

In practice, a clinical neuropsychologist conducts comprehensive evaluations of how the brain is functioning — assessing memory, attention, language, processing speed, executive functioning, and other cognitive abilities — to help diagnose neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, guide treatment, and inform critical decisions about care, education, and rehabilitation.

Why licensure alone doesn’t tell the whole story

When searching for a neuropsychologist, many people assume that a state psychology license is all they need to verify. In reality, states license individuals as psychologists — not as “neuropsychologists.” The title “neuropsychologist” is not a protected, state-regulated credential in most jurisdictions. This means that technically, any licensed psychologist could call themselves a neuropsychologist without ever completing formal specialty training (Hannay et al., 1998).

Because states do not define or regulate the neuropsychologist title, they entrust specialty credentialing to professional board-certifying organizations. These bodies establish the training requirements, competency standards, and oversight that ensure someone calling themselves a neuropsychologist has actually completed the education and supervised experience the specialty requires (American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology [ABCN], n.d.-a).

Required training: what the field’s guidelines actually specify

The standards for specialty training in clinical neuropsychology were first established by the 1997 Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology and have since been updated by the 2022 Minnesota Conference, whose guidelines were finalized in 2024–2025 (Hannay et al., 1998; Stringer et al., 2025). Both sets of guidelines agree on the core requirement: training must be cumulative across three levels, with a two-year postdoctoral fellowship as the essential capstone.

The most important thing to know: Both the Houston Conference Guidelines and the Minnesota Guidelines require a two-year full-time postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology before a psychologist is considered to have completed specialty training (ABCN, n.d.-a; Hannay et al., 1998; Stringer et al., 2025). This fellowship comes after completing a doctoral degree and a clinical internship — meaning the full training pathway can span six to eight years, or more. A psychologist who has not completed this fellowship has not met the specialty training standard, regardless of what they call themselves.

Board certification: the gold standard for verifying specialty competence

Because state licensing boards do not regulate the neuropsychologist title, board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) — specifically through its American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) — is the most reliable way to confirm that a neuropsychologist has completed the required specialty training and demonstrated competence through a rigorous, independent peer-review process (ABCN, n.d.-b).

ABCN board certification is explicitly designed to mirror medical board certification. Just as physicians must demonstrate specialty competence beyond basic medical licensure through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), board-certified neuropsychologists complete a four-step peer-review process through ABPP/ABCN that goes well beyond what a state psychology license requires (ABCN, n.d.-b).

The ABPP/ABCN certification process

Obtaining board certification in clinical neuropsychology through ABPP/ABCN involves four sequential stages, each evaluating different dimensions of training, knowledge, and clinical competence (ABCN, 2018; ABCN, n.d.-c).

1. Credentials review — Verification of doctoral degree, APA- or CPA-approved internship, state licensure, and completion of a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology consistent with the Houston Conference Guidelines. This confirms the candidate received appropriate education, training, and supervised clinical experience before proceeding (ABCN, n.d.-a; ABCN, n.d.-c).
2. Written examination — A comprehensive 100-item examination covering Neuropsychological Assessment, Clinical Neuropsychology, Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Behavioral Neurology, and General Clinical Psychology, assessing breadth of knowledge across the specialty. Written exam pass rates generally fall between 65–80% (ABCN, n.d.-b; ABCN, n.d.-c).
3. Practice sample (work sample) submission — The candidate submits two de-identified clinical cases typical of their practice, each including an original neuropsychological report, test score summary with normative data, and raw data. Three board-certified specialists review the work, and an affirmative decision by two of the three is required before the candidate may proceed ((ABCN, n.d.-c; Be Ready for ABPP in Neuropsychology [BRAIN], n.d.-a).
4. Oral examination — A three-part examination conducted by a panel of board-certified neuropsychologists, evaluating: (a) the candidate’s clinical reasoning and conclusions from their practice samples; (b) ethical analysis of a clinical vignette and professional development; and (c) a “fact-finding” exercise requiring real-time differential diagnosis. A favorable decision by two of three examiners is required to award certification. Oral exam pass rates typically exceed 80% (ABCN, n.d.-b; BRAIN, n.d.-b).

What board certification means for patients

Board certification is a voluntary credential, but it carries significant meaning. A neuropsychologist who holds ABPP/ABCN certification has not only completed the full training pathway — including the two-year postdoctoral fellowship — but has also demonstrated competence to a panel of peers through an examination process that evaluates diagnostic accuracy, scientific reasoning, the quality of clinical work, and ethical practice (ABCN, n.d.-b).

This matters because neuropsychological evaluations inform high-stakes decisions: diagnoses of dementia or traumatic brain injury, eligibility for special education services, return-to-work or return-to-sport clearances, and legal proceedings. The rigor of board certification helps ensure that the neuropsychologist making these determinations has been independently vetted by peers in the specialty.

When looking for a neuropsychologist, ask: “Are you board certified in clinical neuropsychology through ABPP/ABCN?” — or verify credentials directly at the ABPP directory (https://abpp.org/find-a-psychologist/). Board certification confirms that a neuropsychologist completed the two-year postdoctoral fellowship and successfully passed a comprehensive, multi-stage peer-review examination.

What to ask when searching for a neuropsychologist

Not all neuropsychologists have the same depth of training, areas of expertise, or commitment to ongoing professional development. The following questions can help you evaluate whether a prospective neuropsychologist has the background most likely to meet your clinical needs.

1. Did your doctoral training include coursework and supervised clinical experience in neuropsychology?

Specialty training in clinical neuropsychology ideally begins at the doctoral level, where trainees complete foundational coursework in brain-behavior relationships alongside supervised clinical rotations in neuropsychological assessment, such as practicums, clerkships, or pre-internship placements.

2. Was your internship accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)?

Clinical internship is the second required level of training in clinical neuropsychology. Accreditation by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association ensures that the internship program met established standards for supervised training in the general practice of professional psychology.

3. Did you complete a two-year, full-time postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. Both the Houston Conference Guidelines and the Minnesota Guidelines require a two-year full-time postdoctoral fellowship specifically in clinical neuropsychology as the capstone of specialty training. A psychologist who has not completed a clinical neuropsychology fellowship, regardless of their doctoral training or internship experience, has not met the specialty training standard for clinical neuropsychology. This question alone can help you distinguish a specialty-trained neuropsychologist from a general psychologist who uses the title.

4. Are you board certified in clinical neuropsychology?

Board certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and its American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) is the most reliable independent verification that a neuropsychologist has completed the required training and demonstrated competence through a rigorous peer-review process, including a written examination, practice sample review, and oral examination (ABCN, n.d.-b; ABCN, n.d.-c). You can verify a neuropsychologist’s board certification status at any time through the ABPP online directory.

5. In what clinical domains do you have the most experience?

Clinical neuropsychology is a broad specialty. As a result, neuropsychologists may develop particular expertise in areas such as dementia and memory disorders, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, pediatric and neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder), multiple sclerosis, stroke, or forensic neuropsychology, among others. Asking about a neuropsychologist’s primary clinical experience helps ensure that their expertise aligns with your specific referral question or clinical concerns.

6. Do you have any research experience or peer-reviewed publications?

While clinical neuropsychologists vary in the extent to which they might engage in research, and board certification does not require an active research program, familiarity with the neuropsychology literature and a history of scholarly engagement can reflect a deeper engagement with the scientific foundations of the specialty. A neuropsychologist who has published peer-reviewed work, presented at professional conferences, or served as faculty in a neuropsychology training program (e.g., pre-internship/practicum, internship, or fellowship) is often deeply embedded in the current literature and state of the science.

7. How do you maintain clinical competence over time?

The field of neuropsychology and related disciplines (neurology, behavioral neurology, geriatric psychiatry) are rapidly evolving, with a host of new publications about how the brain functions weekly. Competence does not end after one completes fellowship or board certification. For neuropsychologists, ongoing professional development means staying current with evolving research, assessment tools, diagnostic standards, and best practices. As such, ask a prospective neuropsychologist about their continuing education. For example, have they attended neuropsychology conferences, completed continuing education coursework specifically in clinical neuropsychology, served as faculty or as a clinical supervisor in a neuropsychology training program (e.g., pre-internship/practicum, internship, or fellowship), or engaged in peer consultation. A commitment to lifelong learning is a hallmark of quality specialty practice.

No single answer to any of these questions should be taken in isolation. Taken together, however, they give you a meaningful picture of a neuropsychologist’s training background, areas of expertise, clinical competence, and ongoing professional engagement, and can help guide you toward the neuropsychologist most likely to meet your clinical needs.

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