Assessing Competence Presenter Name Agency Assessing Competence Professional

Assessing Competence Presenter Name Agency

Assessing Competence § Professional Competence = Public Protection

What is Competence? § § Knowledge Skills / Ability Attitude Judgment

Why Is Competence Relevant to Regulation? Assures public safety Maintains profession’s reputation Peer capability Establishes practice standards üPoint of Entry üOngoing § Ensures quality § §

What Are Essential Competencies? § Foundation of Standards of Practice § Set day-to-day expectations for practice § Foundation for continuing professional development

Static or Dynamic Concept § Competence should evolve over time

When Do We Assess Competency? § Point of Entry § Competency “Check” (i. e. complaint) § Competency Continuance üQuality Assurance

How Is Competence Determined? Point of Entry

Considerations at Point of Entry § Academic Qualifications/Credentialing § Entrance Exams § Work experience/training, language assessments § Suitability to practice § Mutual Recognition Agreements § Prior Learning Assessments

Academic Qualifications / Credentialing § § Within same jurisdiction / outside Program content vs. “qualification” Difference in practice context Substantial Equivalence

Evolution in Entrance Exams § Paper and pen based testing § Computer and online testing § Virtual environments § Demonstration of practical skills

Key Considerations Process Must Be: § Fair § Objective § Impartial § Transparent

Key Considerations § The Board must ensure the exam is: üReliable üDefensible üSecure üAccessible üFree of Culture Bias

Key Considerations § Components of the test development process: üJob Analysis üTest Specifications üTest Development üPassing Standard üTest Administration üPost-Test Analysis

Denying Someone Entry to the Profession § § § Be transparent Follow the provisions of the law, policy etc… Advise applicant of appeal rights if any Be able to demonstrate why you “said no” Role of precedents Seek legal advice where necessary

How Is Competence Determined? Continuing Competence

On Going Competency Assessments § Personal Initiative / Self assessment § Voluntary Programs / Supports § Mandated Programs

Tools § § § Self assessments Continuing Education (CEU) Professional Portfolio Peer assessments Practice Review/Audits Recertification

Key Considerations § Multi disciplinary practice environments § Universal vs. specific standards for a profession § Principle driven or prescribed

Assessing Competence in an Ongoing Way Use of Standards of Practice ü“Rules” üUnwritten “rules” or “common understandings” üMinimum expectations üEvolve over time

Goal of Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives § Ensure professional remains current in their knowledge § Ensure professional engages in relevant “education” § Ensure ongoing mechanisms for “evaluation”

Embracing Technology Nothing Stays the Same § Tensions between the generations § Electronic records § Telepractice § International Differences

Competency Check § The Complaints Process üPublic’s redress for inappropriate conduct or incompetence üPractice behaviors assessed against standards üChange effected via • Support and remediation • Punishment

As a Board Member… § Ensure the criteria set by your organization related to entering the profession is defensible and valid § Ensure you have policies and procedures that are universally applied § Where deviating from the norm, seek legal advice and document, document

As a Board Member… § Know your organization’s policies and practices related to conflict of interest, bias and confidentiality § Keep abreast of current case law and learn from the experiences of others § When you are not sure, ask questions

As a Board Member… § Ensure that your tests / exams have been reviewed by testing experts § Be aware of research regarding the most effective forms of continuing competency assessment

Contact Information Name Title/Organization Address City, State & Zip Phone E-mail CLEAR 403 Marquis Ave. , Ste. 200 | Lexington, KY 40502 (859) 269 -1289 | www. clearhq. org