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

If one has been involved in the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) since its inception, as we have, one will have had several opportunities to reflect on the issue of licensing to regulate the practice of industrial and organizational psychology (IOP). Some find value in licensure, but the vast majority of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychologists do not. As the target article written by the Licensure of Consulting and Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychologists (LCIOP) Joint Task Force (2017) documents, there have been several policy statements made by SIOP leadership over the years. The essence of SIOP's policy is quite clear and consistent. Although SIOP does not support and will not promote the licensure of I-O psychologists, it does support a pathway to licensure for those who desire it, and is supportive of efforts to reduce the many barriers to licensure for those who desire it. It is our understanding that SIOP's participation in the LCIOP Joint Task Force was predicated on this long-standing policy.

The Licensure of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists: It's Déjà Vu All Over Again

Kozlowski

Chao

2017

The Licensure Issue in I-O Psychology: Are We Trying to Police the Police?

Riggio

Saggi

2017

Many industrial and organizational (I-O) and consulting psychologists who engage in practice of their profession, for example as “management consultants,” compete against consultants with a wide array of backgrounds and disciplinary degrees. Indeed, in consulting work, one of us has competed against practitioners with backgrounds in fields ranging from accounting (CPAs) to sociology, communication, anthropology, business administration, and even those with degrees in divinity.

Be Careful What You Wish For: An Insider's Perspective on Licensure of I-O Psychologists

Mueller¹,

Alonso

2017

At first blush, licensing industrial and organizational (I-O) psychologists seems like a worthy pursuit. The work we do is important, can affect many lives for better or worse, and (we believe) requires a high level of education, training, and competence. Given a deeper look, however, we believe that the Licensure of Consulting and I-O Psychologists (LCIOP) Joint Task Force (2017) review overestimated the benefits of licensure, which are substantially outweighed by the practical challenges associated with a licensure program. Our response to the LCIOP represents two perspectives that can inform the feasibility of such an undertaking: a view from the inside of a federation of regulatory boards and a view from the world of certification as an alternative approach for ensuring quality in a diverse, complex profession.