• Why test?
• Who determines requirements for test administration?
• Why is fair access important?
• Who tests?
• What is FACT?
• What does FACT do?

Assessment instruments and their use are a specific component of the psychological, social, behavioral, educational, emotional and environmental assessment of an individual’s level of functioning in order to form a descriptive or diagnostic profile.  This is used as the basis for planning services such as treatment, education, resource services, developmental plans, and referral.

[top]

Test publishers have established guidelines for education, training and experience requisite for access to each assessment instrument they publish.  Note: Testing professionals should also reference their profession's ethical code(s) and state regulations prior to using a particular test or instrument.

[top]

The public access to assessment services through qualified professionals is essential in order to receive the benefits of treatment.

[top]

Mental health professionals often use test instruments in order to develop treatment plans, provide appropriate referrals, and assess treatment progress. Professional associations, regulatory boards or credentialing agencies whose constituencies use test instruments have established training, practice and ethical standards dealing specifically with professional competence in the use of assessments.

[top]

The Fair Access Coalition on Testing (FACT) is a non-profit corporation which was formed in February 1996 to educate such professionals not credentialed as psychologists who have been adversely affected by restrictions on assessment practices imposed by state psychology licensure boards. Such restrictions are the object of concern for diverse professional groups whose members utilize, and have an interest in protecting, the right to use psychological, educational, vocational, industrial or other assessment instruments.

[top]

FACT is a not for profit corporation that advocates for fair access to testing services for all appropriately trained professionals. Professionals can and have asked for assistance in a wide variety of situations where they believed that they were being denied access to testing instruments for which they were appropriately trained.  In such cases, FACT can swiftly organize coalitions of member organizations and/or effectively testify on behalf of the professionals whose testing rights are threatened.  In addition, FACT also monitors situations in individual states that involve fair access to testing.  Please see the National Pages for information on particular cases.  FACT also disseminates information regarding fair access.  Please see the Meetings/Conferences Page for minutes and attendees for past meetings.

[top]