I believe that certification is essential for the continuing high standards or our organization. The Board on Professional Standards has set those standards and has monitored the different institutes so that the standards are maintained. The system has worked well for many years, despite disagreements and heated discussions on many issues. As a result, the members of The American are held in high esteem for their clinical work and overall ethical standards.

If we change our requirements for members so that certification is no longer a prerequisite, we will jeopardize the effectiveness of the Board's function. If uncertified members become Fellows on the Board, their endorsement of the standards currently required may be less vigorous.

The process of certification, though arduous, is functional. Ninety percent of those who apply for certification become certified, though not always on the first try. Eliminating certification in general and requiring it only for those interested in becoming training analysts would again set up two classes of membership, a situation that, in time, would likely cause further friction and disagreements It is not always clear to new graduates in what direction their careers will take them, and many of those who become members may not anticipate that they will want to be training analysts at a later date.

Frustrations develop in any kind of organization, and our instance on standards and their enforcement may occasion resentment of the authority vested in the Board. Clearly such frictions are inevitable and call for a continuing dialogue between all concerned rather than for the attention of standards.

I believe that our organization would be better served by maintaining certification as a prerequisite to membership.