FACT – Fair Access Coalition on Testing

ALMHCA has become a member of FACT because of ongoing activities regarding various state psychology boards who have been attempting to pass legislation that would greatly limit access to most quality assessment instruments from Professional Licensed Counselors and all other mental health professionals other than licensed psychologists and psychiatrists.  For some years, these attempts have been rather benign because of the overall unfairness and absurdity of such proposed legislation and because of legal procedural errors…until recently.  In fact, the Indiana State Psychology Board (ISPB) adopted a rule restricting 237 tests. The Attorney General also approved the rule, but thankfully, the Indiana Governor vetoed the process.  Similar legislation is being written in Maryland, as well. Remember that any state psychology board can attempt to restrict the entire digest of assessment instruments anytime they please.  This is a VERY dangerous legislative area. 

 We have joined with FACT, which operates at the National Board of Certified Counselors headquarters, as they have been fighting this battle for some time.  Their mission statement follows: “To protect the rights of test professionals, who belong to coalition member organizations, to use tests for which they have demonstrated competence in administration and interpretation, from unreasonable restrictions by regulatory or legislative agencies”. FACT gives member organizations more "clout” when testing restrictions are threatened against its members.  They will provide immediate alerts to member organizations when attempts to restrict testing at federal or state level arise.  And FACT Task Forces (Advocacy and Ethics & Standards) can assist member organization committees with similar agendas (e.g., Legislative Affairs Committees, Governmental Affairs and Professional Standards) to accomplish mutual goals. We are in good company of those who are members and support their work.  Among those are:

ALMHCA raised these concerns with the Alabama Counseling Association because it was apparent that the issue effected many more counselors in many different settings, well beyond what might be associated with ALMHCA typical membership.  ALMHCA and ALCA had Gary Williams speak directly with Wendi Schweiger, Chair of FACT, about the issue.  From that meeting, ALMHCA and ALCA developed the following basic strategy… 

1. ALCA will also join FACT to establish a relationship in case we need to call on them quickly, so that we are on their informational email list and so that we might support their good work.
   

2. ALCA will make certain the AL Legislative Reading and Research Service has all the pertinent search words that would apply if legislation was introduced to limit testing (Appraisal, test, testing, assessment, etc.) 
   

3. ALCA will educate membership about the issue and why it is relevant to all Alabama counselors.  This will be accomplished through the Quarterly, List serve, conference attention and other strategies.
   
4. Re-educate our membership about ethical and responsible testing issues and strongly encourage them to behave in an ethical manner inn order to better protect the public’s interest and to potentially prevent someone from becoming “poster child” for incompetence in testing.

5. 
   Encourage membership to report ANY cease and desist letter regarding testing or ANY formal or informal pressure to not use assessments in practice.  For now, Chip Wood will follow with FACT and whoever may be a point person for our organization.
   

6. For now, ALCA will not create an official Board position or working committee regarding this issue.  We WILL be prepared to immediately form an action committee should the issue heat-up in our State or region.  A list of appropriate names has already been recommended to the ALCA Board.

If the issue of testing does not directly impact you, please do consider what such a ruling would do to our professional identity.  We simply cannot allow these kinds of unfair issues that make sweeping and unfavorable and inaccurate commentary about our profession and of our abilities go unnoticed.