Pipeline Trends in Certification and Licensure: Psychometric Implications

Session Type: Organized Discussion

Abstract

Like trends observed in higher education with more institutions moving to test-optional policies, licensing and certification programs, are seeing shifts in their student and/or candidate pipeline. These changes may be due to declining college enrollments or generational shifts in student sentiment, learning preferences, and priorities, deregulation and anti-credentialing (e.g., licensure, certification) movements, Covid-19, and economic issues such as increased costs, to name a few. These shifts are not necessarily (or even likely) to be driven by psychometrics-focused issues, but there may be some interaction – and the nature of the work of psychometricians on these exams will surely be impacted over time. This session highlights similarities and differences among three licensure and certification programs in distinct sectors – financial services, healthcare, and legal services. Presenters will summarize the trends observed in their programs' exam taking and performance. They will respond to questions about perceived drivers of these changes, the shorter and longer-term impacts to the respective professions, and what have been the actions and reactions to respond to these trends. The session will conclude with a discussant synthesizing how trends in these programs are being interpreted in the broader credentialing community and the implications for psychometric training programs and practitioners.

Sub Unit

• Individual Papers, Innovation Demonstrations, Coordinated Sessions, or Organized Discussions

Session Organizer

• Joshua Stopek, AICPA

Moderator

• Chad W. Buckendahl, ACS Ventures, LLC

Presenters

• Matthew Schultz, AICPA

• Rosemary Reshetar, National Conference of Bar Examiners

• Mengyao Zhang, National Conference of Bar Examiners

• Drew Weiner, National Conference of Bar Examiners

• Joshua Goodman, NCCPA