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Pursuing Psychology Degrees
Learn how to become a psychometrist
Psychometrists are testing experts that specialize in the administration and scoring of neuropsychological, cognitive, developmental and related tests. If you’re interested in psychology and enjoy working one-on-one with clients with different needs, this career may be right for you. Read on to learn what’s involved in becoming a psychometrist along with the types of opportunities and rewards this career provides.
What is a psychometrist?
A psychometrist works under the direction of a clinical psychologist or clinical neuropsychologist to provide information from tests that relate to a client’s diagnosis, as well as their educational, surgical and treatment plans. They can also provide evaluations on important aspects of a client’s personality and their eligibility for specific jobs.
“Psychometry is a balance between building and maintaining rapport with a client, managing the testing environment to foster optimal performance from the client and administering psychological assessments in a standardized manner. Psychometrists have to flex between these three areas to match the needs of the client and the assessment,” says LaVaughn V. Jeter, MS, MA, CSP, Director of Psychometry at LifeStance Health, Inc., and President of the National Association of Psychometrists.
“Psychometry is a balance between building and maintaining rapport with a client, managing the testing environment to foster optimal performance from the client and administering psychological assessments in a standardized manner.”
LaVaughn V. Jeter
The tests administered by a psychometrist are comprehensive and detailed. Evaluations can be relatively brief or last as long as six to eight hours, allowing a psychometrist to see just one or two patients a day. After testing, a psychometrist performs standardized scoring of the tests and writes detailed behavioral observations for evaluation by the supervising psychologist. A psychometrist may also perform administrative duties that can involve scheduling, billing, and coding of procedures.
Why become a psychometrist?
A career as a psychometrist may appeal to you if you want to work in a unique position that involves one-on-one client interactions that can impact a client’s well-being.
“Prospective students should consider psychometry if they enjoy working with people and like to be challenged. Psychological testing is a novel situation for most and can be intimidating. Psychometrists help clients feel comfortable in this new situation while collecting reliable and valid data that the psychologist uses to inform diagnosis and treatment,” says Jeter.
Becoming a psychometrist can allow for a wide range of experiences with many different types of clients. “Psychometry is also a good field to get into if you want to gain clinical experience and learn about other positions in psychology. Working very closely with a psychologist, one can learn first-hand about their experience and perspective,” says Jeter. “Being a psychometrist is its own career, but if you are interested in becoming a psychologist, it teaches valuable clinical skills that can be applied in that career as well.”
Psychometrist vs. psychometrician
While they sound closely related, the roles of psychometrist and a psychometrician are distinct. Though their titles sound closely related, a psychometrist and a psychometrician do not work together. However, they both contribute to the same outcomes in different ways.
A psychometrician is typically a PhD-level professional who specializes in test design and statistical analysis. They concentrate on the development of psychological tests, scales, and measures. They may also administer or apply and interpret these types of evaluations.
Psychometrists are bachelor or master’s-level professionals, with an education in psychology or a related field. They administer and score the psychological and neuropsychological test measures developed by a psychometrician.
Key steps to become a psychometrist
Earn a bachelor’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement to become a psychometrist. While undergraduate degrees in psychometry do not exist, a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related social science can give you the foundation you need to start your career as a psychometrist.
Look for coursework in math and statistics to supplement your psychological expertise. Complete a practicum or internship to experience the ways that your academic knowledge can be applied in clinical situations. An internship can also help you gain skills you will need when you begin working.
Earn a graduate degree.
Contact your state board of psychology to determine whether you need a master’s degree to practice psychometry in your state. Earning a master’s degree in psychometry or psychology can expand your knowledge and skills, while also giving you an edge in the job market, it may not be necessary in your state.
If it’s optional, consider the value of a master’s degree versus considerations such as time, cost, and your career goals. If starting a job as soon as possible is your goal, you may be able to earn an advanced degree part-time while you work as a psychometrist.
Obtain a license or meet requirements to practice in your state.
A license or registration for psychometrists is only required in a few states, but it’s critical to your career to understand the requirements where you plan to practice. Contact your board of psychology for current criteria and requirements.
Get a job as a psychometrist.
Consider your interests and preferred work environment when seeking your first job. Do you prefer to work with clients across the lifespan or concentrate on one age group? Are you interested in a specific diagnosis or type of psychological conditions?
Most psychometrists work in hospitals and clinics. Consider those options to begin your career and experience a wide range of clients and conditions. You may also find opportunities in schools, government agencies, businesses, and private practice.
Apply for professional certification.
When you’ve accrued the appropriate education and experience, consider applying for the Certified Specialist in Psychometry (CSP) credential. The CSP is the only professional certification specifically for psychometrists. Having this credential proves that you’ve demonstrated your mastery of the professional standards for psychometry knowledge and skills. Complete continuing education requirements to maintain your credential and expand your expertise.
Keep your skills current and grow your career.
Consider joining the National Association of Psychometrists (NAP). Membership in a professional organization is a great way to keep abreast of changes in the field of psychometry. Engaging with members and organizational resources can often provide opportunities for mentorship, career growth, and education.
Educational requirements
Academic requirements
The minimum educational requirement needed to become a psychometrist in most states is a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, behavioral health, or a related field. It is uncommon to find an undergraduate degree in psychometry.
To prepare for a career as a psychometrist, take time to investigate and understand the educational requirements for becoming a psychometrist in the state in which you want to practice. Contact your state board of psychology directly to get accurate and current requirements. “Most psychometrists hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or a related field,” Jeter says. “A psychometrist is one of the few jobs you can do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.”
Master’s degree: advantages and options
While psychometrists come from many different educational backgrounds, earning a master’s degree in psychology, psychometry, school psychometry, or educational psychometry can provide a valuable educational background for this career. You may also be able to pursue a broader master’s degree in psychology or education, where you may have the option to complete a concentration in psychometry or school psychometry as a specialty.
Having a master’s degree in a related field can give you an advantage when looking for a job. It can also prepare you to be productive much faster. “Even though one can be employed as a psychometrist with a bachelor’s in psychology, most bachelor’s programs do not prepare someone to become a psychometrist because there isn’t much coursework on psychological and neuropsychological assessment. These types of courses usually occur in graduate programs,” says Jeter. “There is usually a fair amount of on-the-job training that has to be completed before someone with an undergraduate degree and no psychometry experience can work directly with clients.”
Certification
Certification is awarded by a professional industry trade group after you have met certain professional requirements. These criteria may involve a level of education, a set number of professional hours worked, and/or passing an exam specific to the certification that is awarded. Earning certification is proof that you have met a certain set of professional criteria and proven your knowledge by passing an exam.
“Becoming professionally certified as a psychometrist would establish that you have the knowledge and ability to perform the duties of a psychometrist proficiently. Benefits of certification can include promotion, increase in wages and better prospects/outcomes when job searching. The certification also requires continuing education to foster professional growth and development,” says Jeter.
The only professional certification specific to the field of psychometry is the Certified Specialist in Psychometry (CSP) offered by the Board of Certified Psychometrists (BCP). You must meet one of the following sets of criteria to sit for the CSP exam:
For psychometrists with a bachelor’s degree:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university AND
- A minimum of 3,000 hours of testing, scoring and associated administrative experience earned under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or neuropsychologist or the equivalent
For psychometrists with an advanced degree:
- A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university with documented coursework in a related field AND
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of testing, scoring and associated administrative experience earned under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, neuropsychologist or the equivalent
To maintain the CSP credential, you must obtain a minimum of 20 CEU hours every two years. Of these CEU hours, at least three must be in ethics. The remaining hours must be earned in ethics, psychological, psychometry, neuropsychological, neurological or mental health fields.
Essential skills and qualities
Having the following skills and qualities can help you succeed as a psychometrist:
Strong foundation in psychology
Whether you have a degree in psychology or a related field, you will need a solid foundation in the following subject areas to fulfill the responsibilities of a psychometrist:
- Principles of abnormal, child and developmental psychology
- Principles of psychology testing, measurement and evaluation
- Statistical analysis
- Principles of psychopathology
- Analytic and mathematical skills
Interpersonal and communication skills
A psychometrist must work to establish trust and a comfortable relationship with a client to facilitate the exam process. The approach can vary based on a client’s age and condition. A psychometrist needs the following interpersonal and communication skills to accomplish this:
- Effective communication skills that include talking and listening
- Empathy for the client’s perspective during the exam
- Cultural sensitivity when interacting with diverse populations
- Sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of mentally disabled clients
Analytical and problem-solving skills
A psychometrist can work with a wide range of assessments in a short period of time. To accurately score many types of diverse exams, psychometrists require:
- Knowledge of administration and scoring of a wide range of assessment methods
- The ability to analyze test data
- Familiarity with procedures for interpreting results
- Methodologies for drawing accurate conclusions that are passed to the supervising psychologist or neuropsychologist
Attention to detail and accuracy
The supervising psychologist or neuropsychologist formulates the conclusions regarding test results based on the psychometrist’s report. The results can play a key role in life-changing decisions related to a client’s diagnosis, treatment plan, eligibility for services, need for medical care and/or job worthiness. With so much depending on the results, a psychometrist must have the following strengths:
- Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
- Meticulous notetaking
- Precision in following the scoring standards for a specific test
- The ability to make conclusions without bias, discrimination, or other personal feelings about the client taking the exam
Practical experience and training
Practicum and internship opportunities
Your requirement to complete a practicum and/or internship can vary by institution or degree. These supervised clinical experiences give you a chance to apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting. They can help you make decisions about the type of position you want to pursue and provide valuable knowledge to a psychometrist entering the field with just an undergraduate degree. “An internship or volunteer experience with a psychologist that specializes in testing would be helpful during undergraduate study,” says Jeter.
Mentorship and professional development
Seeking and maintaining a relationship with a mentor can be invaluable to your career development. A mentor can provide you with professional support and guidance based on their professional experience. They can also offer a neutral perspective as you navigate decisions and challenges through the course of your career.
Professional development provides another way to continue to grow after your formal education ends. Participating in continuing education, professional organizations and industry conferences can help you remain competitive, stay current with industry trends and maintain professional knowledge and skills.
Career paths and settings
You will have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of career paths and work settings as a psychometrist. Common work environments include the following:
- Private practice
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Research
- Veterans Affairs and other government agencies
- Schools
Specializing as a psychometrist
As a psychometrist, you can choose to work for employers that specialize in areas that include:
- Neurological conditions
- Child development
- Educational assessment
- Neurodivergent assessment
- Pediatrics
- Adolescents
- Adults
- Older adults
- Memory loss
- Career-driven evaluation
“A psychometrist can specialize to the degree that the supervising psychologist specializes in their profession and client population,” says Jeter.
While specialization may appeal to some, many psychometrists work in hospitals or clinics where they have the chance to engage with a wide range of ages, abilities and symptom presentations in the same work environment.
Psychometrist salary and job outlook
The salary you earn as a psychometrist can vary based on your education, the state in which you practice, demand and work environment. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not report salary data specifically on psychometrists, the median annual salary for the broad category of psychologists is $92,740. This category includes a wide range of salaries in which the median annual salary for the lowest 10% of psychologists is $52,430 and the highest 10% earned more than $151,880.
The job outlook for this occupational category is promising, with projected growth of 6.1% through 2032, nearly twice the average projected growth rate for all occupations during that time.
Psychometrists are becoming an in-demand position. Their use has increased since 2006, when the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new set of professional billing codes for testing performed by a ‘supervised technician’ (psychometrist).
Utilizing a psychometrist to administer assessments allows a neuropsychologist more time to consult with clients. “Working with a psychometrist is advantageous for psychologists because they can see clients while you’re administering tests. Usually administering the tests involves seeing one or two clients a day, versus a clinician who can see a whole day’s worth of one-hour appointments while you’re testing,” says Jeter.
Navigating the licensing process
State-specific requirements
Licensure regulations for psychometrists vary by state. Contact your state board of psychology to learn about current educational and licensure requirements in the state in which you plan to practice.
Most states do not require that psychometrists obtain a license to practice. However, all states require that a psychometrist work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. The supervising psychologist is legally responsible for the psychometrist’s work.
Some states require that psychometrists be registered with the state board of psychology. A title such as Licensed Psychological Assistant (LPA) may be assigned to distinguish these professionals from licensed psychologists. An LPA often has the requirement of a master’s degree.
Examination requirements
It is not common for a psychometrist to have to complete examination requirements to practice. However, a few states require that LPAs take the Examination for Professional Practice Psychology (EPPP), administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
Part I of this comprehensive competency assessment consists of 225 multiple-choice questions related to foundational knowledge in psychology. Some states require completion of Part 2, a 170-multiple choice skills examination. Since this test is so widely used, there are many free and fee-based study guides, sample exams, and test preparation programs offered by the ASPPB and third-party vendors for this exam.
Continuing education
Continuing education involves seminars, conferences, courses, research and other forms of professional development and career enhancement. In states where psychometrists are licensed or registered, you may be required to complete continuing education to remain active. Continuing education may also be required to maintain professional certification.
Whether you pursue continuing education as a requirement or choice, doing so can help you advance existing skills, pursue new interests and remain current with changes in areas such as regulation, technology and research in psychometry.
Resources and additional information
Professional organizations are excellent resources for navigating every stage of your career. Whether you are a student, early career psychometrist or seasoned professional in the field, you can benefit from joining a professional organization. Members typically enjoy access to resources that provide professional, educational and social opportunities, including continuing education and job boards.
Professional organizations that address the interests of psychometrists include:
Professional associations
National Association of Psychometrists (NAP):
NAP is dedicated to improving educational standards for psychometrists, creating a professional network, establishing communication between related fields and promoting excellence in psychometry,” says Jeter. “Benefits of joining NAP as a professional member include professional support from other psychometrists, opportunities to further the field through committee and board membership, job postings, research opportunities and an annual conference.”
American Psychology Association:
The APA is the general worldwide membership organization for psychologists, other psychology professionals, and psychology students from all specialties.
Society for Clinical Neuropsychology
This professional organization focuses on the convergence of clinical practice,
scientific research, training and advocacy issues in neuropsychology.
Online resources and communities
Facebook:
National Association of Psychometrists
Board of Certified Psychometrists
Twitter/X:
National Association of Psychometrists
Board of Certified Psychometrists
LinkedIn:
National Association of Psychometrists
Board of Certified Psychometrists
Books and articles
American Psychologist: The flagship social science journal of the American Psychological Association
Board of Certified Psychometrists Practice Analysis
CSP Exam Handbook by the Board of Certified Psychometrists
Harvey PD. Clinical applications of neuropsychological assessment. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012 Mar;14(1):91-9.
Next steps
Being a psychometrist allows you to impact the well-being of clients by providing the data and assessment results that psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other professionals need to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. This career may be right for you if you’re looking for a role in which no two days are alike, and you enjoy the prospect of addressing a new set of circumstances with every client you encounter.
“Psychometry is not as easy as it may sound initially. It takes a lot of hard work, skill and practice to be an effective psychometrist. You can administer the same assessment five times a week and have a different experience every time. Lean into your support, other psychometrists and the supervising psychologists, when you need help,” says Jeter.
Published: April 2, 2024
With professional insight from:
LaVaughn V. Jeter, MS, MA, CSP
Director of Psychometry at LifeStance Health, Inc.; President of the National Association of Psychometristss