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The Licensure Issue in Consulting and I-O Psychology: A Discussion Paper

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2017

Abstract

The Licensure of Consulting and Industrial–Organizational (I-O) Psychologists (LCIOP) Joint Task Force has been examining the controversial issue of licensing I-O and consulting psychologists since 2014. We argue that constructive engagement with licensure is important for setting the future direction of the laws and regulations that govern professional psychology. We review relevant background information, current pressures on regulators, and recent developments in this area. We outline recommendations for jurisdictions’ regulators as well the I-O and consulting psychology communities to consider, discuss, and possibly act on. Others are invited to join the constructive, sometimes vigorous discussions we have enjoyed within the LCIOP Joint Task Force.

Type
Focal Article
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology 2017 

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Footnotes

Licensure of Consulting and I-O Psychologists (LCIOP) Joint Task Force

Views expressed in this article are those of the Licensure of Consulting and Industrial– Organizational (I-O) Psychologists (LCIOP) Joint Task Force and have not been endorsed by members’ sponsor organizations. The content of this article represents the collective, negotiated perspective of the LCIOP Joint Task Force. The information, opinions, and recommendations expressed herein have not been endorsed by and do not represent official positions of the LCIOP Joint Task Force's sponsor organizations—the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the Society of Consulting Psychology (SCP), and the Canadian Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (CSIOP)—or of any related organization (e.g., American Psychological Association, Canadian Psychological Association). This article is intended to educate stakeholders on issues related to licensure of I-O and consulting psychologists and promote constructive discussion of the topic and the Joint Task Force's recommendations, which are subject to change. We hope this discussion article and the associated commentaries will be helpful to stakeholders, but the views expressed are in no way binding on any sponsor (or other) organization. The LCIOP Joint Task Force will produce a separate, final report for its sponsors. Also, individual members of the Joint Task Force retain diverse perspectives on this topic and may not necessarily agree with every aspect of the negotiated perspective contained herein.

Members of the LCIOP Joint Task Force: R. Blake Jelley (lead author), CSIOP, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and Faculty of Business, University of Prince Edward Island; Don L. Crowder, ASPPB, Peachtree City, Georgia; Judith S. Blanton, SCP and Blanton Consulting, Pasadena, California; Stephen T. DeMers, ASPPB; Mark S. Nagy, SIOP, Bowling Green, Ohio, and School of Psychology, Xavier University; Cindy Olvey, ASPPB and Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners, Phoenix, Arizona; Daniel A. Schroeder, ASPPB; Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Business, Edgewood College; and Organization Development Consultants, Inc., Brookfield, Wisconsin; Alex Siegel, ASPPB.

Thanks to those who provided feedback on previous versions of this article.

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