However, with increased specialization, those who provide assessment services has become limited. Today, most states and provinces have governing boards which limit the provision of psychological assessment services to licensed practitioners, and the breadth of services they can provide is limited by the level of training. They are often the broadest range of assessment services and function in various settings, ranging from private practice offices to major medical hospitals. Forensic Psychologists are more limited in the types of evaluations performed and settings in which services are rendered. Due to the complex nature of forensic evaluations, these psychologists often receive advanced training in forensic evaluation.
School Psychologists vary in the degree of training and the nature of the evaluations performed.
Limitations in breadth are accounted for by the depth of training received in their area of expertise. As the name implies, these psychologists often function in public and private school settings. Generally doctorate level psychologists, the types of evaluations are limited only by the nature of the setting. The major difference between the two degrees relates to the type and level of training. As to which degree is better suited at providing psychological services, there is currently little to support either declaring superiority and any discussions toward this issue often result in little more than insulting diatribes and self-serving criticisms of each other.