Psychology's self-regulation and the setting of professional standards

Abstract This article presents three certification mechanisms, providing a historical introduction and a status report on each, and then relates each as a form of assessment of competence with differences in level and scope. Key national organizations that play a major role in designation or accreditation of psychology programs or in the credentialing of individual psychologists are profiled. The article concludes with a recommendation for an international regulatory council in psychology to deal with interorganizational issues in the profession.