History
The Academy was founded in 1978 in response to needs for a membership organization for psychologists who have earned board certification in Forensic Psychology from the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP), which is a member board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). ABPP is the organization recognized by the profession of psychology as the grantor of Board Certification in specialty areas of applied psychology. Board Certification in psychology is similar to Board Certification in the field of medicine, indicating a standard of practice appreciably higher than that of state licensure. The American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP) is responsible for establishing, promoting, and revising as necessary the standards for the practice of forensic psychology. ABFP is also responsible for examining and certifying as ABFP Specialists those applicants who qualify under the standards established by the ABFP Board.
Fellows: Leaders in the Profession
Board certified forensic psychologists, who are automatically eligible to become Fellows of the Academy, are frequently found in leadership positions in the profession. They include some of the most prominent leaders in Forensic Psychology. They may be engaged in research, training, or forensic practice in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, universities, medical schools, correctional facilities, the military, clinics, and independent practice.
