Many professional groups seek licensure regulations from the government. This article summarizes several consequences of licensing with a particular focus on occupations related to psychology and counseling. The term “theonomy” is utilized and explained and the following areas are discussed in detail as they relate to licensing: (a) building code regulations, (b) free market honesty, (c) free market contracts, (d) establishment of religion, (e) equality of opportunity, and (f) ability differences. Licensing laws lack a sound biblical foundation. Education and change strategies are proposed to eliminate the current licensing system.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Association of Retired Persons. (1986). Unreasonable regulation = unreasonable prices. Report prepared by the AARP Consumers Affairs Section, Washington, DC.
2.
American Psychological Association. (1987). Model act for state licensure of psychologists.American Psychologist, 42, 696–703.
3.
BahnsenG.L. (1979). M.G. Kline on theonomic politics: An evaluation of his reply.Journal of Christian Reconstruction, 6, 195–221.
4.
BahnsenG.L. (1985). By this standard: The authority of God's law today.Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics.
5.
CarrollS.L., & GastonR.J. (1983). Occupational licensing and the quality of service.Law and Human Behavior, 7, 139–146.
6.
CarterJ.D. (1975). Adams’ theory of nouthetic counseling.Journal of Psychology and Theology, 3, 143–155.
7.
ChamberlinW.H. (1978). As government activity expands.The Freeman, 28, 275.
8.
ChismarD.E., & RauschD.A. (1984). Regarding theonomy: An essay of concern.Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 27, 315–323.
CongerJ.J. (1980). Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the year 1979.American Psychologist, 35, 501–536.
11.
DavisJ.J. (1984). Foundations of evangelical theology.Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
12.
DeMarG. (1987). Ruler of the nations.Fort Worth: Dominion.
13.
DorseyS. (1983). Occupational licensing and minorities.Law and Human Behavior, 7, 171–181.
14.
EliotT.S. (1950). Selected essays (new ed.). New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co.
15.
EllulJ. (1960). The theological foundation of law (M. Wieser, Trans.). New York: Seabury.
16.
FretzB.R., & MillsD.H. (1980). Licensing and certification of psychologists and counselors: A guide to current policies, procedures, and legislation.Washington, DC: Jossey-Bass.
17.
FriedmanM. (1962). Capitalism and freedom.Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
18.
FriedmanM., & FriedmanR. (1980). Free to choose.New York: Harcourt-Brace-Jovanovich.
19.
GarciaP.A. (1986, August 22). Criteria validity, certification, and impact on minorities. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
20.
GartnerJ.D. (1986). Antireligious prejudice in admissions to doctoral programs in clinical psychology.Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 17, 473–475.
21.
GrossS.J. (1978). The myth of professional licensing.American Psychologist, 33, 1009–1016.
22.
GrossS.J. (1984). Of foxes and hen houses: Licensing and the health professions.Westport, CT: Quorum.
23.
HarrisG. (1988, Aug./Sept.). Home-school burnout.The Teaching Home, p. 55.
HickoxR.F. (1987, July 15). Battle over mandatory assignment now being carried on at state level.Physicians Financial News, pp. 57–58.
26.
HoganD.B. (1979). The regulation of psychotherapists: Vol. 1. A study in the philosophy and practice of professional regulation.Cambridge, MA: Ballinger.
27.
HoganD.B. (1983). The effectiveness of licensing.Law and Human Behavior, 7, 117–138.
28.
JordanJ.B. (1984). The law of the covenant.Tyler, TX: Geneva.
29.
KingR.R. (1978). Evangelical Christians and professional counseling: A conflict of values?Journal of Psychology and Theology, 6, 276–281.
30.
KlineM.G. (1978). Comments on an old-new error.Westminster Theological Journal, 41, 172–189.
31.
Massachusetts Medical Society. (1987, October 14). Resolution of the MMS Council.
32.
MatarazzoJ.D. (1977). Higher education, professional accreditation, and licensure.American Psychologist, 32, 856–859.
33.
NeilandsD. (1986). Theonomy and the Westminster standards.Journey Magazine, 1(6), 12–14.
34.
NeuhausR.J. (1984). The naked public square.Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
35.
NeumannJ.K. (1986). The American Psychological Association and value pluralism.Journal of Psychology and Theology, 14, 185–193.
36.
NeumannJ.K. (1988). Licensing of health care professionals from a biblical perspective.Journal of Biblical Ethics in Medicine, 2(2), 21–26.
37.
NeumannJ.K., ThompsonW., & WoolleyT.W. (1986, August 23). Values and professional decision making. Paper presented at the APA Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
38.
NorthG. (1978). Walking into a trap.The Freeman, 28, 265–275.
39.
NorthG. (1981). Unconditional surrender: God's program for victory.Tyler, TX: Geneva.
NorthG. (1986). The Sinai strategy: Economics and the ten commandments.Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics.
42.
O'SullivanP.J., MarstonD., & MagnussenD. (1987). Categorical special education teacher certification: Does it affect instruction of mildly handicapped pupil?Remedial and Special Education, 8(5), 13–18.
43.
PostG. (1964). Studies in medieval legal thought: Public law and the state, 1100–1322.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
44.
RosenzweigM.R. (1983). Legal regulation and regulation of professional psychology at state and federal levels in the U.S.A.International Journal of Psychology, 18, 574–580.
45.
RushdoonyR.J. (1973). The institutes of biblical law.Nutley, NJ: Craig.
46.
RushdoonyR.J. (1977). Revolt against maturity: A biblical psychology of man.Fairfax, VA: Thoburn.
47.
RushdoonyR.J. (1979). Accreditation and certification (Chalcedon Position Paper No. 5). Vallecita, CA: Chalcedon Foundation.
48.
RushdoonyR.J. (1980). Antinomianism versus dominion (Chalcedon Position Paper No. 9). Vallecita, CA: Chalcedon Foundation.
49.
RushdoonyR.J. (1986). Christianity and the state.Vallecita, CA: Chalcedon Foundation.
50.
RussellD. (1987). Wards of the government.The Freeman, 37, 476.
51.
RutherfordS. (1982). Lex, rex or the law and the prince.Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle. (Original work published 1644)
SwaggartJ. (1986). Christian psychology?The Evangelist, 18(11), 4–9.
54.
TillichP. (1951). The Protestant era (J.L. Adams, Trans.). London: Nisbet & Co., Ltd.
55.
TitusH. (1984a, September). Equality principle. Paper presented at the Appalachian Conference to Rebuild America, Bristol, TN.
56.
TitusH. (1984b, September). Law and jurisprudence. Paper presented at the Appalachian Conference to Rebuild America, Bristol, TN.
57.
TitusH. (1987, October). The constitution and medical licensure. Address at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, New Orleans.
58.
WeinerR.S. (1988). Credentialing practices: Resistance to innovation.Medical Psychotherapy, 1, 191–202.
59.
WilliamsW.E. (1982). The state against blacks.New York: McGraw-Hill.
60.
WorthingtonE.L.Jr., & ScottG.G. (1983). Goal selection for counseling with potentially religious clients by professional and student counselors in explicitly Christian or secular settings.Journal of Psychology and Theology, 11, 318–329.
