Free Oral Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Oral Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A person without a South Dakota psychologist license advertises independent clinical services using the title “psychologist.” What does South Dakota law require?

   1. A. A doctoral psychology degree without a South Dakota license or exemption
   2. B. Professional liability coverage without a South Dakota license or exemption
   3. C. A South Dakota psychologist license or a statutory exemption
   4. D. A registered business name without a South Dakota license or exemption

   Answer: C

   Explanation: SDCL 36-27A-10 states: “No person may represent himself as a psychologist, or engage in the practice of, or attempt to practice, psychology unless licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or exempted under the provisions of § 36-27A-2.” The advertisement therefore requires licensure or a statutory exemption.

   Reference: Codified Law 36-27A | South Dakota Legislature — SDCL 36-27A-10

2. 2After receiving a Board complaint and request for response, how much time does a psychologist have to submit a written response under the administrative rule?

   1. A. Ten days
   2. B. Twenty days
   3. C. Thirty days
   4. D. Sixty days

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The Board's complaint procedure states: “The licensee has 20 days to respond to allegations and concerns in writing to the Board office.” Therefore the response is due within twenty days of the Board's request.

   Reference: Complaint Procedures — Complaint Procedures—licensee response

3. 3How much continuing education must a South Dakota psychologist complete during each license-renewal period?

   1. A. One unit or ten contact hours
   2. B. Two units or twenty contact hours
   3. C. One and one-half units or fifteen contact hours
   4. D. Three units or thirty contact hours

   Answer: C

   Explanation: ARSD 20:60:10:03 states that a licensee “shall complete 1.5 education units during the annual licensure period,” and ARSD 20:60:10:01(4) defines a “Continuing education unit” as “ten contact hours.” Thus 1.5 units equal fifteen contact hours.

   Reference: Administrative Rule 20:60:10 | South Dakota Legislature — ARSD 20:60:10:01(4) and 20:60:10:03

4. 4A psychologist is asked to supervise a specialty in which she has neither education, training, nor experience. What does the exam-specified 2005 ASPPB Code require?

   1. A. Limit only direct practice, while allowing supervision in any requested specialty
   2. B. Limit practice and supervision to areas of proficiency gained through education, training, and experience
   3. C. Limit practice and supervision to specialties appearing on the office's public directory listing
   4. D. Limit only supervision, while allowing direct practice with informed client consent

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The 2005 Code states: “The psychologist shall limit practice and supervision to the areas of competence in which proficiency has been gained through education, training, and experience.” A disclaimer does not create competence.

   Reference: Asppb Code Of Conduct 2018 — page 1, incorporated April 2005 ASPPB Code; Rules of Conduct—Competence 1

5. 5A South Dakota psychologist has reasonable cause to suspect that a 16-year-old client has been abused. Is the psychologist a mandatory reporter?

   1. A. Yes, psychologists are expressly listed
   2. B. Only if the suspected perpetrator is a caregiver
   3. C. Only with the client's consent
   4. D. No, only medical physicians are listed

   Answer: A

   Explanation: SDCL 26-8A-3 applies when a listed professional “has reasonable cause to suspect that a child under the age of eighteen has been abused or neglected.” The same sentence lists psychologists and directs the listed professionals to report under §§ 26-8A-6 through 26-8A-8; client consent is not a prerequisite.

   Reference: Codified Law 26-8A | South Dakota Legislature — SDCL 26-8A-3

6. 6A psychologist reasonably suspects exploitation of a 70-year-old client. Is the psychologist within South Dakota's mandatory adult-reporting class?

   1. A. Only if appointed as guardian
   2. B. Only if working in a hospital
   3. C. No, exploitation is not reportable
   4. D. Yes, psychologists are expressly listed

   Answer: D

   Explanation: SDCL 22-46-9 expressly lists a “Psychologist” and requires reporting upon knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elder or adult with a disability.

   Reference: Codified Law 22-46 | South Dakota Legislature — SDCL 22-46-9

7. 7A psychologist located outside South Dakota proposes ongoing telehealth treatment to a patient located in South Dakota. Which licensing condition generally applies?

   1. A. No South Dakota license is needed when encrypted two-way video is used
   2. B. Only the patient's written consent is required when the professional remains out of state
   3. C. An unrestricted license in any other state is sufficient for ongoing South Dakota treatment
   4. D. The professional must be fully licensed in South Dakota or meet a statutory facility-employment exception

   Answer: D

   Explanation: SDCL 34-52-2 requires a health care professional treating a patient located in South Dakota through telehealth to be “fully licensed to practice in the state” subject to the stated facility-employment exception. Technology alone does not waive licensure.

   Reference: Codified Law 34-52 | South Dakota Legislature — SDCL 34-52-2

8. 8A psychologist licensed in another state plans occasional services in South Dakota without seeking South Dakota licensure. What is the statutory ceiling for the nonresident practice exemption?

   1. A. Ten consecutive days per year
   2. B. Twenty aggregate days per year
   3. C. Thirty calendar days per year
   4. D. Six months per year

   Answer: B

   Explanation: SDCL 36-27A-2 exempts nonresidents who render services “for a period which does not exceed an aggregate of more than twenty days during any one year,” subject to the other conditions. The ceiling concerns aggregate practice days, not one continuous visit.

   Reference: Codified Law 36-27A | South Dakota Legislature — SDCL 36-27A-2(4)

9. 9A psychologist claims all 15 renewal contact hours through independent reading. How many independent-reading hours may count at most?

   1. A. Three
   2. B. Five
   3. C. Seven and one-half
   4. D. Ten

   Answer: B

   Explanation: ARSD 20:60:10:03 states: “No more than five contact hours may be earned and reported from independent professional reading per annual licensure period.” Claiming all fifteen hours from reading exceeds that limit.

   Reference: Administrative Rule 20:60:10 | South Dakota Legislature — ARSD 20:60:10:03

10. 10How should a psychologist maintain competence in an established practice area?

    1. A. Periodic peer consultation without regard to current scientific standards
    2. B. Graduate training supplemented only after a licensing complaint
    3. C. Continuing education, consultation, or other procedures conforming to current knowledge
    4. D. Annual self-attestation based on the psychologist's original areas of training

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The 2005 Code requires maintaining current competency “through continuing education, consultation, and/or other procedures, in conformance with current standards of scientific and professional knowledge.” Initial training alone is not enough.

    Reference: Asppb Code Of Conduct 2018 — page 1, incorporated April 2005 ASPPB Code; Rules of Conduct—Competence 2