Today, only professionals trained in psychology can administer IQ tests, and the purchase of most tests requires an advanced degree in psychology. Other professionals in the field, such as social workers and psychiatrists, cannot administer IQ tests.

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Historically, IQ tests have been misused to support harmful ideologies like the eugenics movement, which aimed to control human reproduction based on perceived intelligence. Due to this history of misuse, the administration and purchase of most IQ tests are now strictly regulated. Today, only professionals with an advanced degree and training in psychology are authorized to administer these tests, excluding other professionals such as social workers and psychiatrists.

IQ Test and Eugenics

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

• measure of "intelligence"  and even morality that is considered inborn and inherent
•used to argue the mental superiority of white people over non whites
•used to argue that  because black people on average have lower scores, they must be innately less intelligent, inherently fit for low paying, labor intensive jobs, and innately violent and criminal 

IQ tests and scientific racism

Why are IQ tests now strictly regulated and administered only by trained professionals?

What historical misuse of IQ tests led to their strict regulation and professional administration?

Who is authorized to administer IQ tests and why?

What is one of the main reasons IQ tests are now administered only by professionals trained in psychology?

IQ Test Administration Qualifications

In Buck v. Bell, the Supreme court legalized force sterilization onto people that are perceived to be "feeble-minded", which impacted about 65,000 people in the United States. This is an example of how the IQ tests can be used to justify mistreatment and injustice in the name of science. 

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