Early Career Psychologists' Knowledge of Credentialing in Psychology

Early career psychologists (ECPs) represent the future for the professional organizations in psychology. To build relationships with ECPs, these organizations must understand and be responsive to their needs. Therefore, the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology developed and distributed an Internet survey to ECPs in 2006 to assess interest in and awareness of membership and credentialing organizations in psychology. The 1,852 psychologists who completed the Internet survey indicated a lack of familiarity with credentialing organizations in psychology and their benefits. The authors discuss the role of membership and credentialing organizations in addressing the needs of ECPs and discuss possible reasons for the small number of credentialed ECPs.