Becoming a Psychometrist (Independent Practice) in

Issue 3 , Vol 2/2014
Becoming a Psychometrist (Independent Practice)
in South Africa!
Some individuals in South Africa would like to become Psychometrists
but have no idea how to achieve this and what the process is around
this. This article will briefly explain what a Psychometrist is and what is
needed to become a registered Psychometrist (Independent Practice)
under the Health Professions Counsel of South Africa (HPCSA).
1. What is a Psychometrist:
Psychometrists are directly involved in psychological testing. They are
permitted to use certain psychological assessments where they can
select, administer, score, interpret and report on. They can bill clients
for this service, provided that appropriate training has been obtained
and the necessary practical competencies have been developed for
the assessments used. Psychometrists registered as Independent
Practice may practice independently or work in organisations (Health
Professions Counsel of South Africa, 2010).
2. Studying to become a Psychometrist:
The University of Johannesburg, Department of Industrial Psychology
and People Management offers as course called, Programme
of Equivalence for the BA (Hons.) (Psych) degree in Practical
Psychometry. This programme is required before registration with the
HPSCA (University of Johannesburg, n.d).
The requirements that are needed for the programme are completion
of either your BA/BCOM (Hons.) in Industrial Psychology or BA (Hons.)
in Psychology. Furthermore, a course or a module in Psychological
Assessments is also required before applying for this programme.
2.1. Two-fold entrance procedure:
● 1ST Procedure: Individuals will be requested to write an entrance
exam that looks at the individual’s basic knowledge of assessments.
Those who do well here will be asked to proceed with the second
round of selection.
● 2nd Procedure: Individuals will be asked to complete certain
psychometric assessments as well as proceed with a panel
interview.
● The individuals CV, references and academic record will also be
taken into consideration before being accepted into this programme.
2.2. Length of Programme:
The programme runs twice a year and the individual will be expected
to complete a 6 months full time practicum. In this period, the individual
is required to attend certain lectures for learning purposes, as well as
work in an internship placement to gain the relevant experience needed
to become a Psychometrist (Independent practice) under the HPCSA.
3. Registration as a Psychometrist with the HPCSA:
a. ‘Successful completion of an accredited 4-year bachelor’s
degree in psychology (B Psych) or a qualification which has been
accredited by the Board as an equivalent to the B Psych degree,
which included substantive modules in psychometrics, testing and
assessment;
b. Successful completion of an approved fulltime practicum of 6 months
duration, or alternatively a part time practicum of 6 months duration
to be completed within a period of 12 months in a psychological
assessment environment under the guidance and supervision of a
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Issue 3 , Vol 2/2014
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registered Psychologist or Psychometrist registered in a category
independent practice. A supervising Psychologist or Psychometrist
should have 3 years of appropriate training and/or experience
within the relevant scope of practice;
c. Successful completion of the National Examination of the
Professional Board for Psychology. The examination will be
conducted on the 1st Wednesday of February, June and October
of each year;
d. The pass mark for the examinations is 70% and Psychometrists
are required to obtain a sub-minimum of 70% for the question on
ethics, in order to pass the examination;
e. Psychometrists currently registered in the category “supervised
practice” will be permitted to register in the category “independent
practice/private practice”, provided that they pass the Board’s
examination in this category’ (Health Professions Counsel of South
Africa, 2010).
• For more information on the Programme of Equivalence for the BA
(Hons.) (Psych) degree in Practical Psychometry at the University
of Johannesburg, please contact:
Mr Stephan Ferreira
Extra Curricular Programmes
Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management
Faculty of Management
Tel. +27 (0)11 559 2214
by Chantal Turner
Psychometrist - RCP Division
References:
Health Professions Counsel of South Africa.
(2010). Form 94: Health Professions Council
of South Africa, The Board for Psychology:
Training and Examination guidelines for
Psychometrists. Retrieved April 08, 2014,
from Health Professions Counsel of South
Africa website: http://www.hpcsa.co.za/board_
psychology_policy.php
University of Johannesburg. (n.d). BA (Hons.)
(Psych) degree in Practical Psychometry,
Retrieved April 08, 2014, from University of
Johannesburg website: http://www.uj.ac.za/en/
faculties/humanities/departments/psychology/
programmes/Postgraduate/Psychometry/
Pages/home.aspx

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