9 - Assessment Ethics

APA Ethics Code for Assessment

9.01 - Bases for Assessment

a) psychologists base their opinions on techniques and information to substantiate their findings

b) psychologists provide opinions on the psychological characteristics of individuals only after they conduct an evaluation

c) psychologists explain why they don’t evaluate an individual when they only perform a record review, consultation, or supervision 

9.02 - Use of Assessments

a) psychologists administer, score, interpret, etc. in appropriate manners based on research

b) psychologists use assessment instruments that are valid and reliable with the population that it’s being used on (if not, they describe strengths and limitations on them)

c) psychologists use assessment methods that are appropriate to an individuals language and competence (unless alternative languages are relevant to the assessment issues)

9.03 - Informed Consent in Assessments

a) psychologists gain informed consent for assessments and evaluations (except for when it is required through the court, when it is implied, or when it looks at decisional capacity

b) people with questionable capacity to consent are informed about the nature and purpose of the assessments

c) psychologists who gain consent from interpreters are obtain informed consent to use that specific interpreter during the evaluation

9.04 - Release of Test Data

a) anything that includes client information is test data, and psychologists can refrain from releasing this data in order to protect the client unless with a release from the client

b) psychologists only provide test data as required by law or court order

9.05 - Test Construction

a) psychologists who create tests use appropriate psychometric procedures for design, standardization, validation, etc.

9.06 - Interpreting Assessment Results

When interpreting assessments, psychologists take into account the assessment’s purpose and different test factors that might affect judgement and accuracy of the interpretation

9.07 - Assessments by Unqualified Persons

Psychologists do not promote psychological assessments by individuals who are not trained to provide them or without the use of supervisionO

9.08 - Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test Data

a) psychologists don’t base decisions on tests that are outdated for it’s purpose

b) psychologists don’t base assessment decisions on tests that are obsolete or not useful

9.09 - Test Scoring and Interpretation Services

a) Psychologists providing assessment or scoring services must accurately describe the test’s purpose, norms, validity, reliability, applications, and any special qualifications required for use.

b) They must choose scoring or interpretation services (including automated ones) based on evidence of validity and other appropriate factors, within their boundaries of competence

c) Psychologists remain responsible for the proper application, interpretation, and use of assessment results, even when others or automated systems are involved.

9.10 - Explaining Assessment Results

Psychologists must take reasonable steps to ensure test results are explained to the individual or their representative, unless the setting (e.g., employment, security, forensic) precludes it—and this must be clarified in advance.

9.11 - Maintaining Test Security

Psychologists must protect the integrity and security of test materials (manuals, protocols, questions, etc.) in line with legal, contractual, and ethical standards.