The MBTI^® assessment is restricted for purchase, meaning that a person who wants to use it with others in a professional, or consultative way, needs to meet certain criteria and be approved to do so by the publisher of the assessment, The Myers-Briggs Company.

The vast majority of people who want to become MBTI practitioners choose to attend the four-day MBTI^® Certification Program offered in many cities throughout the US. (This program is also offered worldwide through The Myers-Briggs Company International Distributers.) Once a person has successfully completed the program they are then able to purchase the assessment in order to begin using it with clients.

There is a category of MBTI professional users who are considered educationally eligible. They have a master's degree, or higher, in psychology, counseling, organizational development or a related field. Even if someone falls within this category, it is recommended that they too attend the MBTI^® Certification Program because the content of the program is specific to the effective use of the MBTI assessment and not the field of psychology in general.

Individual or group feedback is an important part of administering the Indicator. The MBTI results are delivered as part of an explanation and dialogue facilitated by a trained practitioner. The certification program covers information about type theory and terminology, type dynamics and development, guidelines for administration and interpretation, the ethical guidelines, and hands-on delivery information. This training enhances a professional's ability to do the following:

• Provide in-depth perspective on the theory of psychological type and correct misunderstanding of terms and meanings.
• Help a respondent assess whether the results are accurate in his or her eyes and clear up this ambiguity to help a respondent reach a best-fit type.
• Tailor the explanation of type to the unique situation of the individual or group, helping people see how type plays out in their lives and workplace and how it may be best used (and not used) in specific circumstances.
• Interpret the four-letter type code using type dynamics to explain the overall patterns rather than just presenting a list of preferences.

The Myers and Briggs Foundation is a public provider of the MBTI^® Certification Program