Fair Access to Tests

NBFE adopts the position that all licensed mental health professionals (i.e., counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists) should have fair and equal access to psychological tests and should be permitted to administer and interpret such tests provided that the evaluator is appropriately trained on the administration of each test utilized.  Below, you will find a collection of letters and reports pertinent to this issue that we have collected from NBFE members across the country.

NBFE Analysis and Position Paper on Licensed Counselors and Psychological Tests (August 2016; revised June 2017)

Social Security Administration clarifies that evaluations (including testing) from counselors and social workers can be accepted for disability cases, including evaluation of intellectual disorders (September 2016)

Florida's Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling declares that Florida statutes are clear about the ability of licensed professionals to administer and interpret psychological tests (September 2016)

Email from Pearson Clinical, a major psychological test distributor, indicating that graduates of NBFE's Testing/Assessment course likely meet qualifications for Level C psychological tests (2016)

Letter from Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. (PAR), a major psychological test distributor, documenting that graduates of NBFE's Testing/Assessment course meet qualifications for Level C psychological tests (2015)

Request for a declaratory statement on counselors and testing issued by Michael Holler, LMHC to Florida's 491 Board (June 2016) 

Press release from Fair Access Coalition for Testing (FACT) on counselors and testing in Kentucky (October 2015)

Report on whether LMHCs in Florida can administer and interpret psychological tests created by Dr. Carlos Zalaquett of University of South Florida and Dr. Stephen Giunta of Troy University (2013)

Restricted test list law repealed in Indiana (July 2007)

Letter from American Counseling Association to Alabama Board of Examiners on counselors and testing (February 2005)

Letter from Florida's Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling on issue of whether counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists may administer and interpret psychological tests (February 2000)