What is a Psychometrist?
A Psychometrist is a professional who administers and scores psychological and neuropsychological tests under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or neuropsychologist. Psychometrists do not interpret psychological &/or neuropsychological measures unless licensed to do so. Training emphasizes extensive comprehension of test administration as well as efficient scoring in concert with providing detailed behavioral observations of the examinee.
A thorough neuropsychological test battery often assesses a variety of domains including (but not limited to): cognitive functioning, attention and concentration skills, language functioning, verbal and visuo-spatial abilities, academic/achievement performance, memory abilities, motor and sensory-motor integration, effort, executive functioning, and emotional status. A full neuropsychological evaluation often requires 6-8 hours to administer and score depending on the population and referral question.
Populations often assessed by Psychometrists include: head injury (TBI), neurological disorders (e.g., Epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, etc.), vascular (e.g., strokes), dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's), vocational, workman's compensation, forensic, competency, academic, and psychiatric. There is no age limit but it is important that the Psychometrist be trained for specific populations.
Certification is available for Psychometrists and is highly recommended as those who have earned the Certified Specialist in Psychometry (CSP) designation have met minimum levels of competencies through experience, education, supervision, and having passed a rigorous examination.
Tom Erickson, MA, CSP, NCC, LMHC - BCP President (2007-2010)
The Use of Psychometrists:
“Licensed providers utilize technicians (in a manner consistent with physicians) when conducting psychological and neuropsychological assessments. The use of psychology technicians in the supervised administration and scoring of psychological and neuropsychological tests is an accepted standard of practice in the field of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology” (c.f., Sweet et al., 2002, 2003). Supported by NAN, “this standard of practice is parallel to other doctoral level providers, including those in
medicine. The use of technicians helps maintain the objectivity of data collection, minimizes potential for bias associated with clinical judgment, as well as provides a reasonable extension of service, allowing for greater patient access to the health care provider, and, in some instances, providing an economical element to the service delivery.” (NAN Bulletin, Spring 2006, Vol. 21, No.1)
2006 NAN Position Paper: The use, education, training and supervision of neuropsychological test technicians (psychometrists) in clinical practice - Official Statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology (2006)
1999 NAN Position Paper: The Use of Neuropsychology Test Technicians in Clinical Practice - Official Statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology Approved 5/15/99
"The use of neuropsychology technicians (also referred to as “technicians, psychometrists, psychometricians and psychological assistants,” p. 23, Division 40 Task Force, 1989) in the supervised administration and scoring of the full range of neuropsychological tests and allied cognitive, psychological, and behavioral assessment procedures, can be traced to the late 1930s, and it has been an established standard of practice in the field of clinical neuropsychology for more than three decades (DeLuca, 1989). This practice is not unique to neuropsychology. Other doctoral level health care practitioners also routinely employ trained non-doctoral technical personnel (e.g., radiology and EEG technicians).
The use of neuropsychology technicians helps maintain the objectivity of data collection and minimizes potential for bias associated with clinical judgment. This practice maintains reliability and validity of test administration (DeLuca, 1989).
Standards of practice exist for the selection, training, supervision and utilization of
neuropsychology technicians (DeLuca, 1989; Division 40 Task Force, 1989, 1991). These
standards clearly indicate that the neuropsychology technician is trained “only for the
administration and scoring of psychological and neuropsychological tests” (p. 24, Division
40 Task Force, 1989) and observation/reporting of test behavior. Technician training and supervision, test selection, interpretation/analysis of test data, report-writing, and neuropsychological consultation are the sole responsibility of the neuropsychologist who is licensed to practice psychology or neuropsychology. “The professional relationship in clinical neuropsychology is between the patient and the . . . neuropsychologist” (p. 24, Division 40 Task Force, 1989). The neuropsychologist establishes and charges fees for services, and is “accountable for the quality of professional work” (p. 24, Division 40 Task Force, 1989).
This official statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology is consistent with previously published APA-Division 40 standards for education, training and supervision of non-doctoral neuropsychology technicians (Division 40 Task Force, 1989, 1991). These standards are endorsed and supported by the National Academy of Neuropsychology.The NAN Policy and Planning Committee"
APA Division 40 Position paper on the use of Psychometrists
Psychometrist, Psychometrician, Psychological Technician - What's in a Name?
For many decades psychometrists have worked in collaboration with psychologists administering and scoring psychological and neuropsychological measures. Some have referred to us as "technicians," "psychological technicians," "psychological associates," "psychometricians," etc. All of these terms are inaccurate.
Technicians work with machinery, while technologists work with people. Psychometricians are professionals involved in the design and analysis of testing programs and with theoretical issues having to do with testing models. Psychometrists are not psychometricians, and psychometricians are not psychometrists.
Our scope of practice focuses on the administration and scoring of psychological and neuropsychological measures in human subjects. The most consistent and accurate term for our profession is psychometrist. It is the preferred term we use and the one to be used by others.
Tom Erickson, MA, CSP, NCC, LMHC - BCP President (2007-2010)
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