2026 Board of Directors Call for Nominations

The call for nominations has closed. If you have any questions, please contact Abby Green at agreen@apa.org.

Board and Committee Call for Nominations

The board and committee call for nominations is now closed. Please check back on December 1, 2025 to participate in the next nomination cycle.

Nominations will be sought for the following boards and committees whose members are elected by the Council of Representatives:

1. Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest
2. Board of Convention Affairs
3. Board of Educational Affairs
4. Board of Professional Affairs
5. Board of Scientific Affairs
6. Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology
7. Committee for Global Psychology
8. Committee for the Advancement of General Applied Psychology
9. Committee on Rural Health
10. Ethics Committee
11. Finance Committee
12. Membership Board
13. Policy and Planning Board
14. Publications and Communications Board

Nominations will be sought for the following committees whose members are appointed by the Board of Directors:

1. Committee for Postdoctoral Education and Training Programs in Psychopharmacology for Prescriptive Authority
2. Committee on Aging
3. Committee on Animal Research and Ethics
4. Committee on Associate and Baccalaureate Education
5. Committee on Children, Youth, and Families
6. Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology
7. Committee on Division/APA Relations
8. Committee on Early Career Psychologists
9. Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs
10. Committee on Health Equity
11. Committee on Human Research
12. Committee on Professional Practice and Standards
13. Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
14. Committee on Socioeconomic Status
15. Committee on Women in Psychology
16. Continuing Education Committee
17. Fellows Committee

If you have any questions, please contact the Election Office at elections@apa.org.

Seeking Experts to Serve on APA Panels and Ad Hoc Groups 

 

Working Group to Address Applied Practice Issues in the APA Model Licensing Act

The APA Board of Directors (BoD) is forming a Working Group for Applied Practice Issues in the APA Model Licensing Act. The Working Group will provide recommendations regarding titling and licensure requirements, if any, for psychologists working outside of Health Service Psychology (HSP). The Working Group will report directly to the BoD. The Working Group will work independently of, but in coordination with, the existing Model Licensure Act Task Force (MLA TF). The MLA TF is currently developing recommendations for other revisions to the American Psychological Association’s 2010 Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists (Model Act). While the existing MLA TF will continue to focus largely on HSP practice topics, the Working Group will specifically focus on non-HSP applied and consulting practice.

The ultimate goal is the publication of an updated and modernized Model Act and, if needed, an APA policy statement on applied and consulting practice issues. The Model Act is important because state legislatures are encouraged to use the Model Act and the policies it espouses as a basis for their own state psychology licensure laws. Although each state law reflects circumstances, compromises, and changes particular to that state, the Model Act serves as a guide for those involved in the drafting process. In addition, the Model Act guides APA actions and sets forth APA’s position on matters related to the licensed practice of psychology.

The Working Group will:

• Develop a clear, operational definition of "non-HSP practicing psychologist" that reflects the diversity of training and roles in the field
• Review an environmental scan of the existing state statutes to assess how states are handling restrictions on the use of the title "psychologist" and scope of psychological practice, with attention to how applied and non-HSP psychologists — licensed or unlicensed — are currently classified.
• Recommend whether unlicensed individuals possessing a doctoral degree in non-HSP areas of psychology may use the title "psychologist" and any limitations related thereto.
• Assess how the scope of health service practice developed by the existing Task Force impacts the existing practices of unlicensed applied psychologists and identify potential areas of overlap or exclusion.
• Determine whether the practice activities of any subdisciplines of applied psychology present implications for public health, safety, and welfare that would warrant state licensure.
  • If no, ensure that these items are appropriately addressed in the MLA.
  • If yes, then a recommendation for a licensure pathway to include recommended education and training requirements and proposed statutory language.
• Consider recommendations for transition pathways or grandfathering mechanisms to ensure no undue burden is placed on existing competent practitioners.
• Offer a recommendation on whether the "general" applied psychology framework of the existing MLA should be retained (note that the current MLA provides for, but does not make explicit, a requirement for licensure outside of HSP).

The work of this Working Group is expected to be entirely virtual, relying upon online meetings, file sharing, and email communications. Members will be asked to meet weekly and to participate in a minimum of 1 to 2 full-day virtual meetings.

The Working Group’s work shall be completed no later than September 30, 2025.  Working Group applicants will be asked to affirm that they can be available for at least one meeting in July and at least two meetings each in August and September in order to meet the September 30 completion date.

Nominees are sought with a breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise involved in providing consulting services or other services rooted in the application of psychological science, including:

• Knowledge and experience with the economic, legal, and market forces and landscapes involved in providing consulting services or other services rooted in the application of psychological science
• Areas of specialization within non-HSP applied and consulting psychology, including but not limited to such areas as: I-O, sports, human factors, legal, educational, environmental, applied cognitive, occupational health, applied social, military, technology and media, community, UX design, consumer, program evaluation, leadership, and coaching
• Years active in the field
• Perspectives and experiences across different systems and workplace settings, including type of employer (business, government, non-profit, professional services, sole proprietorship, academia, etc.)
• Applied and consulting psychology services provided across different populations
• Geographic representation

We encourage all qualified individuals to consider serving on this Working Group for Applied Practice Issues in Model Licensing Act. APA does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected category under applicable federal and state law. The selection of candidates is based solely on the qualifications, skills, and experience an individual will bring to the Working Group.

Self-nominations are encouraged.

Nominations should be submitted via the APA nominations portal here: https://nomination.apa.org/  by July 11th, 2025.

Nominees will be asked to complete a questionnaire, which is voluntary, and to submit the following, which are mandatory:

• A current CV
• A brief letter of interest, not to exceed one page, that speaks to the nominee’s (your) experiences and background, whether or not listed in your CV, that leads them (you) to be interested in advancing the Working Group’s purpose.

Questions can be directed to Maya Allen at Mallen@apa.org

Join APA’s Climate Change Community of Scholars and Practitioners

This Community is comprised of scholars and practitioners dedicated to addressing the impact of climate change on society. 

Community members support APA’s efforts by:

• promoting the importance of psychological science in addressing climate change
• helping build connections between APA and influential organizations/individuals working on climate change
• providing advice, guidance, and expertise to APA staff on matters of climate science and policy
• responding to correspondence from APA staff and interacting with other Advisory Group members in electronic discussions
• attending on-line meetings scheduled by APA staff, which may occur quarterly

How to Apply: The nomination must be completed online and include the following:  

• CV
• A brief letter of intent, not to exceed two pages, that includes: 
  • Willingness to partake in community engagements
  • Description of the nominee’s qualifications, specifically highlighting how the nominee might contribute to the efforts mentioned above 

For additional information about the application process, please contact Mark Chan at oap@apa.org

Serving on an APA board or committee gives you an opportunity to be directly involved in shaping the future of psychology. You will have a voice in changes that affect psychological science, practice, research, education and knowledge.

APA policies are set by the Council of Representatives. But boards and committees can propose policies for council to approve.

APA looks to board and committee members to represent an area of expertise or to represent specific constituencies, such as people of color, practitioners, academicians, researchers, etc. Ad hoc groups (task forces, working groups, panels, etc.) are appointed for a specific purpose and a limited time.

Learn how to get appointed or elected to a committee and participate in the creation of APA policy. 

BOARD OF SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE (BSA)

(One member to be appointed for a 3-year term)

The BSA is receiving nominees for one seat on the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) with a term ending on December 31, 2028. This call for nominations is to fill the BSA seat.

Nominees should be knowledgeable about education and training in psychology and have had broad, national exposure to multiple aspects of the profession. In addition, nominees should "…reflect individual and cultural diversity and the breadth of psychology as a discipline.”

Eligibility. Individuals eligible for the BSA seat should demonstrate the following:

• Tenure in an academic leadership position
• Expertise in generating psychological science, via research publications and other avenues
• Experience in teaching scientific psychology at the graduate level
• Knowledge of and experience with accreditation processes at program and/or institutional levels
• Understanding of current higher education policy at the national level

Commitment. APA-CoA members must commit to:

• Meeting four times per year for approximately four days each (Wednesday through Saturday) using a virtual or hybrid format. Three of the meetings are “program review meetings.”
• Considerable preparation for the program review meetings. Each member will serve as a reviewer for 5 to 8 programs, with an expected review preparation time of 5 to 15 hours per review. Reviews are completed within four weeks of the three program review meetings.
• Preparation for policy discussions including topics such as provisions of the accreditation standards as well as the general conduct of the accreditation review process.
• Participation in a CoA work group (e.g., Communication, Training, Research, or Complaints) and a policy group (e.g., Master’s, Doctoral, Internship, or Postdoctoral Residency)

Other potential service. Beyond the expectations described above, other potential service tasks for CoA members may include:

• Preliminary reviews of self-studies from applicant programs
• Chairing or co-chairing a program review panel during a program review meeting
• Serving as a chair or co-chair of a work group or policy group
• Conducting workshops for site visitors or training directors
• Participating in CoA governance via membership on the CoA executive committee
• Occasionally participating in special site visits

Nomination Process & Details:

• The term of service for the seat is January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028.
• Based on the APA Association Rules governing simultaneous service, nominees may not hold any other APA elected or appointed position during their term.
• Nominees are asked to confirm their availability to attend all the 2026 meetings listed below.

• New member/liaison program review training (hybrid) – February 4
• CoA Policy meeting (hybrid) – February 5-7, 2026  
• Spring meeting (hybrid) – April 15 - 18, 2026  
• Summer meeting (fully remote) – July 15 – 18, 2026
• Fall meeting (hybrid)  – October 21 – 24, 2026

Nominations must include a current vita. Self-nominations are welcome.

Please read all questions carefully and answer as completely as possible. Required information is marked with an asterisk and must be completed in order for your nomination to be considered. Your application must be "Submitted as Final" by 11:59pm (EDT) on July 18, 2025

 

The American Psychological Association (APA) is seeking up to three volunteer doctoral-level psychologists to join its team of representatives at the United Nations (UN) in New York beginning January 2025.

APA is an accredited nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the UN where it holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is associated with the Department of Global Communications (DGC). These credentials allow psychologist Representatives to serve as advocates at the UN. APA’s UN team consists of 8 psychologists: one Main Representative, who is an APA staff member, a Lead Representative, and six volunteer Representatives. The APA team fosters dialogue and information exchange between APA, UN and member state staff, and other NGOs to encourage the development of psychologically-informed policies and programs to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The APA UN Representatives advance the APA strategic plan by making a positive impact on critical societal issues, embracing a global perspective, and promoting human rights. Based on APA advocacy goals and UN initiatives, APA volunteer Representatives collaborate with APA offices and volunteer leaders, the global psychology community, UN Representatives in Geneva, and other NGOs to develop substantive input to the UN, impacting social issues and human rights around the world. They do this through, for example, developing and disseminating to the UN position papers or fact sheets; organizing and participating in workshops, seminars, and side events; and disseminating to the APA membership information about UN priorities and events.

Volunteer Requirements
Appointments are for a 3-year term (the first year is probationary), with the potential for one 3-year term renewal. The time commitment averages 5 hours per week.

Representatives are preferably based in or near New York City (NYC), or they may be based elsewhere in the country or the world. NYC-based Representatives will participate in both in-person and virtual activities, while Representatives more than 50 miles outside of the New York metro area will participate virtually via videoconference and other forms of electronic communication and contribute to written documents and other materials. They may choose to attend in-person events at their own expense. Monthly team meetings are scheduled at a convenient time for the majority of the Representatives, most of whom are based in NYC.

These are unpaid, volunteer positions. APA reimburses Representatives for local travel within a 50-mile radius of NYC (including travel from suburban areas) on public transportation or for parking costs; membership on up to two UN-NGO committees; and pre-approved direct costs (i.e., registration fees). APA does not reimburse travel and registration costs for the APA Annual Convention.


The online nomination packet must include an application letter (no longer than 750 words) entailing a brief statement of interest that highlights your skills, experience, and interest in this position. Applicants should be specific with reference to ongoing or upcoming UN activities to which psychology can contribute. Nomination applications must be received in their entirety by December 6, 2024 and can be submitted HERE.