This paper explores gender differences in personality disorder traits, clinical syndromes and IQ among 210 parental competency examinees. Examinees completed the MCMI-III and WAIS-III. Male examinees obtained higher IQ scores than females, although both were in the low average range of ability. Males had significantly higher social desirability scores and lower debasement scores. Multivariate analysis of variance was carried out for Clinical Personality Patterns and Clinical Scales and controlling for IQ and validity indices. There were significant main effects on Clinical Personality Patterns and Clinical Scales with medium effect size. Univariate analysis showed males had significantly higher scores on the antisocial, sadistic, narcissistic, and alcohol and drug misuse scales. Results found male and female parental competency examinees are not a homogenous group but rather two distinct groups with different personality profiles and differing levels of intellectual ability. The implications for future parental competency assessments are discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.