There has been a tendency for people to think about competence in a narrow way that undermines any possible benefits to be gained from adopting competency standards. This paper will attempt to clarify exactly what competence is. It will be found that the logic of the concept of competence is itself such as to support a broader view about competency standards rather than the narrow one that is so often taken for granted. Second, the benefits of recognizing and employing a broader, richer conception of competence will be outlined and discussed.