NCGE NEWS Autumn 2013
Post Primary
Psychometric Testing update Certification of competence in psychometric testing: An update and clarification from the Psychological Society of Ireland
I am grateful to have been invited to address some
to BPS certification, not least because the BPS does
issues of relevance and concern to guidance
not have formal jurisdiction in Ireland and so its ability
counsellors, regarding competence in psychometric
to meaningfully ‘regulate’ practice is limited.
testing and to set out the current and future work of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) in this
The PSI Register of Guidance Counsellors
area.
Many guidance counsellors will already be aware that, since 2004, following an agreement between
Why the need to certify competence in psychometric testing?
representatives of five Initial Training Courses in Guidance, PSI has held a Register of Guidance Counsellors and has issued registered guidance
It is now widely accepted that psychological testing
counsellors with a Certificate of Competence in
is an important skill and must be carried out in a
the administration and interpretation of specified
manner which is seen to be safe and effective for the
psychometric tests. It is fair to say that, to date, this
service user. Since joining PSI in 2012, I have been
Register has had limited traction and PSI is considering
aware of a growing desire among statutory bodies
changes to the present system to benefit registrants
for an Irish register of competence in psychological
and to promote greater uptake (see below).
testing. The emerging consensus is that certification is not only good for the service user but, through
I am aware that there has been some misunderstanding
recognition of a test user’s competence, a code of
of the relationship of the Register of Guidance
conduct, ongoing CPD and registration, it is also
Counsellors to other registers of test competence,
good for the professional delivering the service.
most notably concerning eligibility of registrants for certification at European Federation of Psychologists’
Internationally, psychological testing is certified
Associations (EFPA) Level 1/2. It is important to note
by psychological professional bodies. The PSI
that, under current arrangements, membership of
does not currently operate a full register of test
the PSI Register of Guidance Counsellors does NOT
competence in Ireland and individuals wishing to
automatically allow registrants to be certified as Level
certify their competence have done so through the
1/2 competent.
British Psychological Society’s (BPS) register based on Level A or A/B training. I am aware that some
New developments
guidance counsellors in Ireland have undergone this
In response to such limitations, and to the demand
training and, although valuable, there are limitations
for formal registration of test competence, during the
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