4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on AAFP: So, You Wanna Be a Board-Certified Forensic Psychologist, Huh? is presented by Lori Hauser, PhD, ABPP in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program prepares participants for board certification in forensic psychology. It begins by describing how the specialty of forensic psychology differs from other specialties and highlights the benefits of board certification. It walks participants through the application process in detail, using example examination questions, review templates, and scoring rubrics to reduce the mystique of the process. Common pitfalls encountered by candidates are explored, and strategies for avoiding them are discussed. The salient texts, domains, and resources for preparing for the board examination are highlighted, with specific emphasis on the relevant case law. Techniques for improving reports are highlighted to improve candidates’ overall work product and ability to defend it at orals.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe at least three (3) benefits of acquiring board certification in forensic psychology
  • 2 Describe the four (4) steps involved in board certification in forensic psychology and the parameters that govern each step
  • 3 Describe at least one (1) common pitfall encountered by candidates at each step of the process and how to avoid it
  • 4 Describe at least three (3) ways to create a more solid work product for the defense at orals

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for psychologists specializing in forensic or clinical psychology who are preparing for board certification in forensic psychology. It is tailored for professionals seeking to build foundational skills in legal and forensic assessment, report writing, and the application of case law.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychological Assessors
    • Court Consultants
    • Expert Witnesses

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who are preparing for board certification in forensic psychology.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic psychology or the board certification process who seek foundational knowledge about the specialty, its distinctions, and the benefits of certification.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some exposure to forensic psychology or initial experience with the board certification process who wish to deepen their understanding of application steps, common pitfalls, and effective preparation strategies.

    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic psychology or prior attempts at board certification who are focused on refining their work product, mastering oral defense techniques, and staying current with case law and best practices.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply these skills at the interface of mental health and the legal system in structured, high-stakes, standards-driven environments. Their work centers on independent evaluations, rigorous documentation, and defensible opinions, with frequent collaboration with legal stakeholders under tight ethical and procedural requirements.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Courthouses and court clinics (criminal and civil)
    • Forensic hospitals and secure psychiatric units
    • Jails, prisons, and community corrections
    • Private forensic practices and multidisciplinary clinics
    • Government agencies (e.g., attorney general, public defender, child protective services)
    • Law enforcement and threat assessment units
    • Academic medical centers and university training clinics
    • Immigration and juvenile justice systems
Presented By

Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP

Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist employed at Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. There, she oversees the competency restoration service and conducts forensic evaluations – competency, as well as general and sexual violence risk management – for the hospital. She is the Practice Sample Review Chair for the American Board of Forensic Psychology, is the Treasurer for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, and previously represented Forensic Psychology on the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology. Dr. Hauser also provides training and consultative services, both nationally and internationally, to practitioners and investigators in the areas of interviewing and credibility assessment, risk / threat assessment, and cognitive bias, as well as competency evaluation and restoration.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Forensic Psychology as a Specialty
    -Distinctions from other specialties
    -Benefits of board certification

  • Application and Examination Process
    -Step-by-step walkthrough of the application
    -Sample examination questions, templates, and scoring rubrics

  • Common Pitfalls and Avoidance Strategies
    -Challenges faced by candidates
    -Practical approaches to overcome them

  • Study Materials and Core Content Areas
    -Key texts, domains, and preparation resources
    -Emphasis on relevant case law

  • Improving Written Work and Oral Defense
    -Techniques for enhancing forensic reports
    -Preparing to defend work during oral examinations

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.