Competency and Qualifications for Practitioners in Private Practice

The National Leaderology Association establishes the following standards to define practitioner qualifications, ensure responsible service delivery, and reinforce the scientific rigor of leaderology in private practice. These competency tiers reflect the academic preparation, professional capability, and scope-of-practice expectations appropriate to each level of leadership education.

Leaderology encompasses a range of development modalities, including leadership coaching, organizational advisory services, performance development, behavior-modification frameworks, and advanced diagnostic practices for those qualified at higher levels. The competency tiers below ensure practitioners operate within their training while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the discipline.

1. Leadership Apprentice

(Enrolled in an Accredited Leadership Degree Program)

Leadership Apprentices are students actively completing a leadership degree program. They possess foundational knowledge of leadership principles but are not authorized to practice independently. Their role is academic and developmental, focusing on:

• acquiring theoretical knowledge

• observing leadership practice environments

• completing supervised field experiences

• building early professional competencies

Apprentices may assist qualified practitioners but must not lead interventions or represent themselves as leadership professionals.

2. Leadership Specialist

(Non-Degree Military Leadership Training or Accredited Leadership Certificate – minimum 15 credit hours)

Leadership Specialists have completed structured leadership development through military programs or accredited certificate pathways. They hold specialized knowledge but must operate within a limited scope of practice. Approved activities may include:

• supporting group training sessions

• assisting in leadership development initiatives

• offering basic performance coaching within their expertise

Specialists should seek collaboration with leadership professionals or leaderologists to ensure clients receive comprehensive, scientifically grounded support.

3. Leadership Professional

(One Leadership Degree – Any Level)

Leadership Professionals have earned an accredited leadership degree and may practice independently within their trained domains. They possess sufficient academic grounding to engage in:

• leadership coaching

• organizational leadership development

• team development initiatives

• performance and communication interventions

Professionals must recognize the limits of single-degree preparation and refer to or collaborate with Leaderologist-level practitioners when client needs require advanced theoretical knowledge, diagnostic precision, or complex organizational analysis.

4. Leaderologist I

(Two Leadership Degrees – Demonstrated Expertise)

Leaderologist I practitioners hold two leadership degrees, signifying advanced preparation, broad theoretical understanding, and strong applied capability. They are qualified to:

• administer leadership diagnostics

• design and lead comprehensive development programs

• conduct organizational assessments

• apply behavior-modification frameworks such as the 3B Model

• address complex leadership challenges within diverse environments

While highly capable, Leaderologist I practitioners are expected to collaborate with other experts when situations require specialized knowledge beyond their concentration or academic focus.

5. Leaderologist II

(Three Leadership Degrees – Established Authority)

Leaderologist II represents the highest level of academic and professional preparation in leaderology. These practitioners possess deep disciplinary mastery and are qualified to:

• lead advanced organizational and cognitive leadership diagnostics

• conduct high-complexity interventions

• design institutional leadership systems

• train and supervise lower-tier practitioners

• contribute to research, publication, and disciplinary advancement

Though highly capable, Leaderologist II practitioners must still recognize the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration when client needs extend beyond the boundaries of leadership science.

Commitment to Professional Integrity

These competency levels ensure that leadership development services are grounded in academic preparation, scientific methodology, and responsible practice. The NLA encourages practitioners at all levels to pursue ongoing education, seek peer collaboration, and uphold the standards that distinguish leaderology as a professional discipline.

Updated: 12/8/25