ABSTRACT
Historically, it is interesting to note the gradual transition in Englishspeaking countries from a situation where competence was a concept developed by the professions to justify the introduction of qualifying examinations to one where competence became a concept used by government to justify control over licensing arrangements and/or public expenditure. In the first case the professions were concerned with maintaining their status and reputation by excluding unqualified practitioners, in the second government was seeking to limit professional autonomy in order to safeguard the interests of the public. Naturally, the definition of what in practice was meant by ‘competence’ reflected the political purpose it was intended to serve.
