Becoming a Psychometrist

We often hear the question of how to become a psychometrist.  There are few, if any academic, programs specific to learning to become a psychometrist.  Historically, most have learned on-the-job after having earned a minimum bachelor's degree in a behavioral health field.  Increasingly, psychometrists hold a graduate degree such as a master's in a behavioral or educational field.  Today, most certified psychometrists hold a master's degree.  A few states require the psychometrist to hold a credential by passing the EPPP exam (KY and WY).  However, most states have not addressed minimum qualifications and do not have a requirement other than PhD supervision is required.  Several states require psychometrists to be registered with the state and may be assigned a title such as a Licensed Psychological Assistant (LPA), which typically requires holding a graduate degree.  In all states, psychometrists do not work independent of a licensed psychologist.  The PhD supervises the psychometrist and is ultimately, and legally, responsible for the work produced by the psychometrist. 

Most psychometrists, especially certified psychometrists, work within the field of neuropsychology assessing the brain-behavior relationship of patients with suspected cognitive conditions such as memory loss, neurological conditions, psychiatric conditions, etc.  Psychometrists work with all ages while some specialize working with certain age groups such as pediatrics, adolescents, adults and older adults.  Each psychometrist is expected to be knowledgeable and an expert in a varied toolbox of measures and is expected to be proficient in the administration and scoring of those measures.  Psychometrists typically do not interpret the data as that falls under the licensed psychologist's responsibility.  Face-to-face test administration varies significantly depending on the population, presenting referral question, and patient limitations, ranging from around 1-2 hrs to full-day evaluations.  Test administration and scoring accuracy is required as is the art of working with potentially cognitively impaired populations. 

Psychometrist vs. Psychometrician.  

A Psychometrician is typically a PhD-level professional whose area of expertise is in test design and statistical analysis.  While a Psychometrist is the professional who may be the end-user of neuropsychological and psychological test measures that may have been developed by the psychometrician.  Nathan Thompson, PhD provides an interesting analogy, where he describes the Psychometrician as the airplane designer & engineer, while the Psychometrist is the pilot flying the airplane.

Information about Psychometrists

What is a Psychometrist?

What is a Psychometrist? - use the NAP salary information for real-world salary information

What is a Psychometrist

How Do I Become a Psychometrist

Psychometrist: What They Do 

Psychometrist Outlook

Once you have earned the minimum number of hours of experience please enhance your psychometric career by becoming certified.  Psychometrist certification shows you have met the gold-standard by having met the minimum educational standards, at least 2000 hrs of experience, and passing the rigorous Certified Specialist in Psychometry (CSP) exam.  CSPs also earn significantly more than non-certified psychometrists (see NAP salary survey results).  Learn more on our FAQ page.