This paper offers an historical perspective on the practices of school psychology. It briefly describes the mechanism currently in place to assess the competency of professional psychologists. Then, the beginnings of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) are reviewed along with information on related school psychology developments. It recounts how the American Psychological Association (APA) accepted doctoral school psychology programs for accreditation in 1968, the same year school psychology was recognized as a new examination area by the ABPP. School psychology has prospered as a specialty in APA and ABPP. However, currently the status of school psychology as a specialty in good standing within ABPP is in jeopardy since it is not processing a sufficient number of diplomate candidates annually to need ABPP requirements. Making the diploma a dominant feature of doctoral school psychology in the years ahead will be a challenge for all school psychologists who work for the future of the profession. (JDM)