ABSTRACT
Pediatric psychologists and school psychologists are more alike than they are different. Each profession has typical setting and specific training standards, yet ethical and legal issues have much in common. Both have prescribed ethical standards of conduct. The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2002) is applicable to both pediatric psychologists and school psychologists. In addition, school psychologists are provided additional guidance from the Professional Conduct Manual by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP, 2000), which contains both the “Principles for Professional Ethics” and “Guidelines for the Provision of School Psychological Services.” Both professional groups are also bound by the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (APA, AERA, & NCME, 1998) regarding the administration or interpretation of psychological tests. Legal issues are also similar, because both professions practice with children, which requires awareness of their special legal standing as minors.
