Licensure.

Abstract

Lengthy efforts on the part of professional psychology to establish licensure have resulted in many inconsistencies among licensing laws. Efforts at standardization by licensure bodies through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards has led to a common licensing examination across the United States and Canada, and mechanisms facilitating mobility. Some continuing concerns are working against standardization. New issues of distance practice and an expanding scope of practice (e.g., prescription privileges) are just beginning to be faced. Globalization will require looking at licensure through a larger lens across state, provincial, and national borders.

The medical licensing examination debate

“…The Anglo-French model employed in Canada provides evidence that language should not be a barrier, and if a practitioner cannot cope with the language and cultural differences of the examination process they may not be equipped to cope with the local culture of Archer 2009). There is also an argument that additional layers of intrastate and interstate regulation involving certification, credentialing, and accreditation, interwoven with regulatory politics, makes it very complicated for practitioners and public alike (Rehm & DeMers 2006). Advocates of NLEs infer that the standards associated with the testing process are improved as a result of the logistics of staging large-scale examinations, which necessarily require the pooling of resources and expertise (Neumann & Macneil 2007;Lehman & Guercio 2013).…”

“…If fairly administered, NLEs should promote the movement of doctors, although some believe that such examinations do little to increase the mobility of health professionals (Cooper ; Philipsen & Haynes ; Archer ). There is also an argument that additional layers of intrastate and interstate regulation involving certification, credentialing, and accreditation, interwoven with regulatory politics, makes it very complicated for practitioners and public alike (Rehm & DeMers ).…”

The interstate delivery of psychological services: Opportunities and obstacles.

“…There have been attempts to address the problem of the interstate mobility of psychologists. The development of a model licensing law by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB, 2001; Rehm & DeMers, 2006; DeMers, VanHorne, & Rodolfa, 2008) is one step in that direction, as is the development of a Certificate of Professional Qualifications in Psychology (ASPPB, 2005). The revision of the existing state licensing laws using the ASPPB model would go a long way toward standardizing the licensing regulations.…”

Should Forensic Psychiatrists Conduct Psychological Testing?

“…During the post-World War II expansion of the field of clinical psychology, the emphasis on assessment remained a central focus, and to this day most training programs include psychological testing as a core component of their curriculum (Butcher, 2006). Psychologists still maintain recognition as practicing a unique field of mental health that is protected by licensing laws that limit the use of psychological testing by identifying well-qualified practitioners (Rehm & Demers, 2006). In many respects, the notion of psychological testing is synonymous with the practice of clinical and forensic psychologists who receive specific training in test construction and test utility.…”