Education and certification of mental health administrators: The role of professional associations

Abstract

Professional organizations play a role in the education of mental health administrators. Some professional associations have certification examinations for administrative psychiatry. Others include questions on administration on their examinations. Meetings sponsored by various organizations have topics aimed at enhancing the skills of their membership. Requisites for competency of health administrators is embodied in membership requirements in some organizations. Even so, the author contends that there needs to be consistency and coordination among the professional organizations regarding education and credentialing.