Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is a psychologist? A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology and is licensed as a psychologist, a clinical psychologist or a school psychologist. They have specialized training which focuses on the relationship between the body and mind with training in the biological basis of behavior. They are experts in psychotherapy and testing. He or she must have completed an internship in health service as well as a year of supervised experience following the doctoral degree. Many psychologists are credentialed by the National Register. What is the difference between a psychologist and a social worker or a counselor?

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There is a big difference. Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology, are licensed, and have completed advanced supervised experience including a year of internship and year of supervised experience after obtaining their doctorate. Counselors and licensed social workers typically have a master's degree, less supervised advanced experience and may be licensed at bachelors or master's level.

What is the National Register?

The National Register is a nonprofit organization that was created by national professional organizations more than 30 years ago to provide important services to the public, psychologists, and the healthcare community. The National Register recognizes doctoral-level psychologists who meet stringent requirements for education, internship, and experience as health care professionals. It is the leading source of information on nationally credentialed psychologists in the United States. The National Register is recognized by the National Committee on Quality Assurance as the reliable source of credentials verification for psychologists. At this time, 41 of 62 state and provincial licensing boards use the National Register to verify the credentials of psychologists applying for a second license. This is helps in assisting psychologists to provide services across state lines. Hospitals, health care organizations, and insurance companies turn to the National Register to verify the credentials of psychologists.

The National Register also provides consumers with a free service - the findapsychologist.org website. This service provides important information about the psychologists' education, training, and expertise, as well as which state(s) they are licensed in.

What is the importance of credentialing?

Credentialing is voluntary. This means that these psychologists have sought to demonstrate that they meet professional criteria that go beyond the diverse requirements of state, provincial, or territorial licensing boards. To be credentialed, a psychologist must have met these more rigorous and national criteria for practice.

Amongst the requirements for credentialing, psychologist must be licensed at the independent practice level, hold an acceptable doctoral degree in psychology, complete a qualified internship, and advanced post-doctoral training. The National Register monitors their psychologists' adherence to professional ethics and state codes of conduct to ensure the highest professional integrity and protection of the public. Practicing psychologists consider it an accomplishment and an honor to achieve National Registrant status. Today, more than 12,000 psychologists participate in the National Register.