The purpose of licensing and certification tests is to protect the public. This purpose determines test content, difficulty of the items, test format, use of test scores in decision making, and ways of setting standards. Currently being explored are methods to ensure continued competence, and legal considerations related to antidiscrimination…

Examines the role of government agencies, professional standards, and federal and state legislation in: (1) determining the quality of ability tests; (2) resolving imbalances and conflicts among participants in the testing process; and (3) defining fairness and due process. (Author/GC)