A History of Certification
From the beginning of the National Association of Psychometrists’ (NAP) inception, certification was a topic of interest and discussion. Certification was felt to be beneficial because it is a means whereby psychometrists can objectively and quantitatively define the minimum requirements necessary to competently perform our job. It is important for the advancement of our profession and serves to protect the public. For several years, however, the issue was tabled because the task was believed to be too daunting and too expensive to become a reality.
At the 2003 annual conference in Dallas, the certification committee was revitalized and a small team of volunteer subject matter experts (SME’s) committed to making certification a reality. Gerald Rosen, PhD was contacted as a consultant and he generously agreed to guide us through this process without compensation. In June 2004, the committee met in Philadelphia and under the guidance of Dr. Rosen and Kate McCarthy, Certification Committee Chairperson, the team conducted a psychometry practice analysis. The purpose was to delineate the tasks performed and knowledge routinely applied by psychometrists in the practice of our profession. Questions were posed regarding what we do, how we do it, and the relative importance of each task. Numerical weights were assigned to each task and knowledge area and then committee members returned home to write questions. Questions were then scrutinized by the peer review process, sent to Dr. Rosen for feedback, and then edited. Questions that passed muster were included in the examination question bank from which the examination questions will be selected.
Concurrent with item construction, committee subgroups began work on writing a candidate handbook, converting the items into the data bank, marketing the examination, and laying the groundwork for the application review process. Attention then shifted towards re-launching the organization website and the newsletter, both seen as crucial in generating interest and enthusiasm in certification.
The next chapter in certification history occurred on November 4, 2005 when the first group of applicants sat for the Certified Specialist in Psychometry examination. Thirty-eight individuals are the first to hold this distinguished title.
The Board of Certified Psychometrists (BCP) is still hard at work to make certification even more meaningful over time by statistically analyzing the exam for strengths and weaknesses, editing items and writing new ones, writing policies and procedures, a code of ethics, and marketing the exam.
At the 2003 annual conference in Dallas, the certification committee was revitalized and a small team of volunteer subject matter experts (SME’s) committed to making certification a reality. Gerald Rosen, PhD was contacted as a consultant and he generously agreed to guide us through this process without compensation. In June 2004, the committee met in Philadelphia and under the guidance of Dr. Rosen and Kate McCarthy, Certification Committee Chairperson, the team conducted a psychometry practice analysis. The purpose was to delineate the tasks performed and knowledge routinely applied by psychometrists in the practice of our profession. Questions were posed regarding what we do, how we do it, and the relative importance of each task. Numerical weights were assigned to each task and knowledge area and then committee members returned home to write questions. Questions were then scrutinized by the peer review process, sent to Dr. Rosen for feedback, and then edited. Questions that passed muster were included in the examination question bank from which the examination questions will be selected.
Concurrent with item construction, committee subgroups began work on writing a candidate handbook, converting the items into the data bank, marketing the examination, and laying the groundwork for the application review process. Attention then shifted towards re-launching the organization website and the newsletter, both seen as crucial in generating interest and enthusiasm in certification.
The next chapter in certification history occurred on November 4, 2005 when the first group of applicants sat for the Certified Specialist in Psychometry examination. Thirty-eight individuals are the first to hold this distinguished title.
The Board of Certified Psychometrists (BCP) is still hard at work to make certification even more meaningful over time by statistically analyzing the exam for strengths and weaknesses, editing items and writing new ones, writing policies and procedures, a code of ethics, and marketing the exam.
Kim Lindbergh, MS, CSP, LPT