The invention provides a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive
member such that even if abnormal grown portions called spherical protrusions 203
exist on the surface of the photosensitive member, they do not appear on images,
thus making it possible to considerably alleviate image defects. The method for
producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member including layers each constituted
by a non-single crystal material includes the steps of placing a substrate having
a conductive surface in a film forming apparatus capable of being airtight-sealed
under vacuum having evacuating means and raw material gas supplying means, and
decomposing at least a raw material gas by a high frequency power to form a first
layer constituted by at least a non-single crystal material on the substrate as
a first step; exposing the substrate with the first layer formed thereon to a gas
containing oxygen and water vapor as a second step; and decomposing at least a
raw material gas by a high frequency power in the film forming apparatus to form
on the first layer a second layer including an upper blocking layer constituted
by a non-single crystal material as a third step.