Explores issues related to testing and certification of social workers and discusses the National Association of Social Workers' experience in the assessment of competence. Explores formulation of definitions, determination of standards, and construction of quality instruments. (JAC)

Reviews the lessons learned by professional psychology when it adopted the strategy of statutory regulation, freedom of choice, control of its own training and its national organization, and future strategies for Medicare and eventually for the enactment of universal health care. Claims these lessons are important to the professions following…

Presents questions and discusses issues related to the accreditation standards and standards revision process of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Presents selected recommendations for improving the standards and revision process, with special emphasis on the need for a democratic approach. (Author)

Responds to the questions and concerns raised in the previous article by Engels that relate to the accreditation procedures and standards revision process of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Notes articles such as Engels' must consider CACREP Board's activities, decision, and interpretations.…

Discusses how counselors face demands throughout their careers for information from various sources including licensure boards, employers, managed care companies, courts of law, graduate schools, and professional associations. Suggests items for collection and organization in a working portfolio and gives examples of how counselors may use these…

Describes the collaborative efforts of the National Career Development Association, National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee, and Career Development Training Institute at Oakland University, which resulted in the emergence and recognition of the important role of career development facilitators (CDFs). Summarizes the development of…

Counselor education, through its formal organization (ACES), is in the process of examining its standards for program accreditation used for the past decade. This discussion examines current educational forces, as a basis for a new look at the standards for counselor preparation. Outcomes of counselor education should be considered in performance…

A participant evaluation of an inservice training program (August, 1974) conducted by Memphis State University for the professional staff of the Tennessee Division of Vocational Rehabilitation indicated summarization and interpretation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to be the most beneficial topic to most of the participants. (EA)

This report summarizes the impact of federal programs on individual counselors, including suggestions on advocating to improve the programs' recognition of professional mental health counselors. These are all separate programs, formulated under their own laws, regulations, and agencies.

Investigated the opinions of both psychologists and counselors relative to the services that a counselor licensure law for private practice would allow. Responses to a questionnaire (N=202) indicated that counselors and psychologists have similar attitudes regarding the inclusion of psychotherapy in a counselor licensing law. (RC)

Presents demographic information for 621 survey respondents and examines the data reported by 230 American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) members in private practice. More counselors in private practice held advanced degrees and were certified or licensed than those who were not; the majority worked part-time. (Author/RC)

This article presents results and recommendations of the ACES Licensure Commission study on the licensing of counselors. (Author)

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the major knowledge domains and job functions required for rehabilitation counseling practice in today's rapidly changing practice environment. Results revealed seven job functions and six knowledge domains. Participants' ratings of the importance of job functions and knowledge domains and…

Argues counseling has clearly reached status to be considered a profession. Presents criteria that historically have been outlined to define a profession, including specialized training, ethical standards, and strong identity with field as a profession. Discusses areas for concern and suggests need to clarify behaviors that individual counselors…

Assessed nationally certified counselors' perceptions of the relevance of elements of the National Board for Certified Counselors examination to their work as counselors. Findings support the validity and appropriateness of the examination in regard to perceived relevance and demonstrate lack of differentiation on the basis of respondent…