Free Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination (PPLE) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Pennsylvania clinician offers paid psychological testing to the public. Which entity does Act 52 identify as the licensing board?

   1. A. State Board of Psychology
   2. B. Department of Human Services
   3. C. Department of Education
   4. D. State Board of Medicine

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 2 states: "Board" means the State Board of Psychology in the Department of State. The State Board of Psychology is therefore the named licensing board.

   Reference: Act of Mar. 23, 1972,P.L. 136, No. 52 Cl. 63 - PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PRACTICE ACT — Section 2, definition of Board

2. 2For Chapter 41 child-abuse rules, who is a child?

   1. A. An individual under 16
   2. B. An individual under 18
   3. C. An individual under 21
   4. D. A dependent under 25

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 41.1 defines child as "An individual under 18 years of age."

   Reference: Pennsylvania Code — § 41.1, Child

3. 3Which Pennsylvania statutory practice category covers the paid use of recognized methods to assess aptitudes?

   1. A. Psychological consulting
   2. B. Measuring and testing
   3. C. Psychological methods
   4. D. Teaching of psychology

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 2 defines measuring and testing as "the psychological assessment and evaluation of abilities, attitudes, aptitudes, achievements, adjustments, motives, personality dynamics" using recognized methods. Aptitude assessment fits that definition.

   Reference: Act of Mar. 23, 1972,P.L. 136, No. 52 Cl. 63 - PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PRACTICE ACT — Section 2, practice of psychology

4. 4Which Chapter 41 defined term means impairment of physical condition or substantial pain?

   1. A. Recent act or failure to act
   2. B. Serious mental injury
   3. C. Bodily injury
   4. D. Serious physical neglect

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 41.1 defines bodily injury as "Impairment of physical condition or substantial pain."

   Reference: Pennsylvania Code — § 41.1, Bodily injury

5. 5A psychologist encounters a client's health problem outside the psychologist's competence. What does Act 52 require?

   1. A. Continue treatment without consultation
   2. B. Transfer every psychological service to a physician
   3. C. Assist the client in obtaining professional help for the outside problem
   4. D. Wait until the client independently requests a referral

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 3(2) says the psychologist "shall assist his client in obtaining professional help for all relevant aspects of his problem that fall outside the boundaries of the psychologist's own competence." A referral or other assistance is required.

   Reference: Act of Mar. 23, 1972,P.L. 136, No. 52 Cl. 63 - PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PRACTICE ACT — Section 3(2)

6. 6A clinician needs the Pennsylvania unit that receives suspected-child-abuse reports around the clock. Which unit is it?

   1. A. ChildLine
   2. B. The Psychology Board
   3. C. The county coroner
   4. D. The Department of Education

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 41.1 defines ChildLine as the unit operating a "24-hour a day Statewide toll-free telephone system for receiving reports of suspected child abuse."

   Reference: Pennsylvania Code — § 41.1, ChildLine

7. 7An unlicensed clergy member performs counseling consistent with clerical training and ethics. How does Act 52 treat that work?

   1. A. It is always prohibited psychology practice
   2. B. It is allowed only after Board registration
   3. C. It requires supervision by a psychologist
   4. D. It may fall within the recognized-profession exemption

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Section 3(3) preserves work of a psychological nature by "qualified members of other recognized professions" when consistent with their training and ethics. Clergy are expressly included.

   Reference: Act of Mar. 23, 1972,P.L. 136, No. 52 Cl. 63 - PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PRACTICE ACT — Section 3(3)

8. 8A minor has a legal guardian. Who is treated as the client/patient for decisions under Chapter 41?

   1. A. The referring school
   2. B. The insurer
   3. C. The treating psychologist
   4. D. The legal guardian

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Section 41.1 provides that for individuals with legal guardians, "the legal guardian shall be the client/patient for decisionmaking purposes."

   Reference: Pennsylvania Code — § 41.1, Client/patient

9. 9A federal-agency employee uses the title psychologist only within the normal functions of that position. Which rule controls?

   1. A. Federal-employment exemption
   2. B. Supervised-training exemption
   3. C. Recognized-profession exemption
   4. D. Internal-corporate-use exemption

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 3(4) states that the act does not limit psychology practice or official-title use by a person "employed as a psychologist by a Federal agency" when part of the position's normal function.

   Reference: Act of Mar. 23, 1972,P.L. 136, No. 52 Cl. 63 - PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS PRACTICE ACT — Section 3(4)

10. 10For a minor's confidential therapeutic communications, whom does Chapter 41 treat as the client/patient?

    1. A. The person actually receiving the service
    2. B. Only the legal guardian
    3. C. The payer
    4. D. The referral source

    Answer: A

    Explanation: Section 41.1 says the person actually receiving services is the client/patient for matters "such as confidential communications in a therapeutic relationship."

    Reference: Pennsylvania Code — § 41.1, Client/patient