The earning of this symbol of certification indicates that the individual has met some criteria decided upon by established practitioners. This is usually seen as increasing the confidence the public can have in retaining the services of a graduate of the school. In the third phase, the profession comes under governmental regulation. This is accomplished in two separate but related ways. First, the government regulates the professions through the accreditation of schools or programs that purport to prepare scholars for the practice of the profession.
Accreditation establishes minimal standards for training programs.
This process is meant to protect both the student purchasing the professional education and the public by guaranteeing that the degree-granting institution meets basic criteria. The American Psychoanalytic Association, for example, has kept a relatively tight grip on its institutes, removing its imprimatur from those that did not toe the line on a number of issues. In contrast Division 39, forbidden by the American Psychological Association from performing accrediting functions, has exercised no direct control over institutes affiliated with its local chapters. The second element of government regulation of professions is the licensing of individual practitioners. Licensing requirements may be different from and independent of the standard, of the accrediting body.