Council Policy Manual

Board of Directors

2009

• Electronic voting

• Psychologists and unlawful detention settings with a focus on national security

2008

• Integrated health care for an aging population

2007

• The psychological needs of U.S. military service members and their families: A preliminary report (PDF, 227KB)

2006

• Doctorate as minimum entry into the professional practice of psychology

• Impact of elementary and secondary zero tolerance policies

• Linking directorate activities with APA priorities

• Mental disability and the death penalty

• Workforce analysis

2005

• Health care for the whole person: vision and principles

• Psychological needs of our troops, veterans, and their families

2003

• Adoption, support, or endorsement of documents, resolutions, or policies of another organization

2002

• Resolution on terrorism

2001

• APA resolution on racism and racial discrimination: A policy statement in support of the goals of the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance

2000

• Resolution to endorse a comprehensive mission of the National Institute of Mental Health

1994

• Location of retreat meetings

1957

• Emergency action by the board

Central Office

1993

• Public policy activities

Convention Affairs

1992

• Policy on scheduling dates of the annual convention

1988

• Policy on using laws that criminalize consensual adult sexual behaviors as criteria in selecting convention sites

1982

• Guidelines on physical and social accessibility

1961

• Policy on reimbursement of non-APA guest speakers at convention

1958

• Policy on business meetings and presidential addresses for organizations not an integral part of APA

• Policy on listing of convention sessions

• Policy on the length of the annual convention

• Policy regarding the designation of division program chairs

• Policy regarding the listing of authors on joint papers

• Policy that all convention programming must be submitted through a division

1956

• Policy that the Board of Directors determines the site of the APA annual convention

Divisions and State, Provincial, and Territorial Associations

2010

• Philosophy for creating new divisions

• Psychologists should be encouraged to join at least one division of their choice

2003

• Principles for the validation and use of personnel selection procedures, 4th edition

1984

• Disbursement of dues and assessments to divisions

1978

• Division journals

1968

• Use of division expertise

Educational Affairs

2013

• Guidelines for the undergraduate psychology major (PDF, 165KB)

• Quality professional development and continuing education resolution

• Resolution on accreditation for programs that prepare psychologists to provide health services

• Specialty in professional psychology: counseling psychology

• Specialty in professional psychology: police and public safety psychology

• Specialty in professional psychology: school psychology
• Specialty in professional psychology: sleep psychology

2012

• Education and training guidelines: A taxonomy for education and training in professional psychology (PDF, 186KB)

• Guidelines for preparing high school psychology teachers: Course-based and standards-based approaches (PDF, 275KB)

• Policies and procedures manual for the recognition of organizations that provide certifications in specialties and proficiencies in professional psychology (PDF, 84KB)

2011

• Clinical health psychology as a specialty in professional psychology

• National standards: The teaching of high school psychology

• Principles for quality undergraduate education in psychology

• Principles for the recognition of specialties in professional psychology (PDF, 43KB)

• Proficiency in professional psychology: Sport psychology

2010

• APA advertising policy for APA publications

• Proficiency in professional psychology: Personality Assessment

• Proficiency in professional psychology: Psychopharmacology

• Specialty in professional psychology: Behavioral and cognitive psychology

• Specialty in professional psychology: Clinical neuropsychology

• Specialty in professional psychology: Geropsychology

2009

• Model legislation for prescriptive authority (PDF, 28K)

• Proficiency in professional psychology: Assessment and treatment of serious mental illness

• Recommended postdoctoral education and training program in psychopharmacology RXP model curriculum (PDF, 63KB)

• Resolution on quality assurance in international education and training: APA as a learning partner

• Specialty in professional psychology: Family psychology

• Standards and criteria of the sponsor approval system (PDF, 148KB)

2008

• Procedures for recognition of specialties and proficiencies in professional psychology (PDF, 41KB)

• Proficiency in professional psychology: Police psychology

2007

• Policy regarding concurrent accreditation with Canada

• Resolution in support of education for sustainable development

2006

• American Psychological Association approval of sponsors of continuing education for psychologists policies and procedures manual (PDF, 100KB)

• APA policies for accreditation governance (PDF, 37KB)

• Guidelines and principles for accreditation of programs in professional psychology (PDF, 151KB)

• Need for diversity in accreditation

• Psychoanalysis in psychology as a specialty in professional psychology

2005

• Biofeedback: Applied psychophysiology as a proficiency in professional psychology

• Clinical child psychology as a specialty in professional psychology

• Guidelines for education and training at the doctoral and postdoctoral level in consulting psychology/organizational consulting psychology (PDF, 137KB)

• Clinical psychology as a specialty in professional psychology

2004

• Developing and evaluating standards and guidelines related to education and training in psychology: Context, procedures and criteria (PDF, 125KB)

2003

• Industrial and organizational psychology as a specialty in professional psychology

2001

• Proficiency in professional psychology: Psychological treatment of alcohol and other psychoactive substance disorders

• Specialty in professional psychology: Forensic psychology

1998

• Resolution on the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) reciprocity agreement

• Use of the term "clinical" in specialty and proficiency titles

1996

• Taxonomy for postdoctoral and continuing education and training in psychology (PDF, 413KB)

1994

• Policy on half-time internships

• Resolution on attracting ethnic minority students to the study of psychology

• Resolution on teaching enhancement programs for graduate students

1993

• Policy that provides membership status in TOPSS to all high school teacher affiliates

1992

• Resolution on representation of graduate students within programs and departments responsible for educating and training students of psychology

• Statement of principles on academic freedom and tenure of the American Association of University of Professors (from 1960)

• Suggested guidelines for the evaluation and training of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists who graduated prior to 1979 (PDF, 91KB)

1986

• Principles of good practice in continuing education (PDF, 1.4MB)

1984

• Policy on needed education and training to teach psychology at the postsecondary level

1982

• Policy on respecialization education and training

1977

• Policy on the use of the term "professional psychologist"

1976

• Policy on encouraging doctoral programs that will build on the master’s degree

• Policy on encouraging respecialization training programs

1971

• Policy on improving the teaching of psychology at the precollege level

Elections

2004

• A three-year trial (2005-07) in which ethnic minority representatives will be reimbursed for their expenses associated with attending council

2000

• Policy urging boards and committees to develop strategies to get new people involved in governance

1999

• Policy that president-elect candidates who are not current members of council will not be reimbursed for their participation in the plenary session of council

1996

• Policy requiring an orientation meeting for new council representatives one day prior to the start of council

1990

• Policy regarding council representatives seeking positions on APA boards and committees

• Policy reminding divisions and SPTAs to be active in alerting their memberships about the apportionment ballot

1982

• General principles dealing with the APA election process

1980

• Policy that Central Office conducts the ballot for electing SPTA council representatives

1975

• Policy to include a list of men, women and minority groups serving as editors in the Council of Editors' annual report

Ethics

2013

• Policy related to psychologists' work in national security settings and reaffirmation of the APA position against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment

2006

• Resolution against torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment

2002

• Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct

Ethnic Minority Affairs

2006

• Three-year trial of having four ethnic minority associations as observers to council

2005

• APA resolution recommending the retirement of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities by schools, colleges, universities, athletic teams and organizations (PDF, 61KB)

• Resolution on enhancing diversity in APA

2001

• Racial and ethnic bias/profiling in law enforcement and security activities

1993

• Ethnic minority education

• Resolution on ethnic minority recruitment and retention

Financial Affairs

2013

• Selected spending policy guidelines

2012

• 2012-2014 financial forecast and net asset allocation plan

• APA long term portfolio: Statement of investment policy, objectives, and guidelines (PDF, 93KB)

2010

• Real estate cash flow principles

2002

• Affiliate dues increases linked to the CPI-U

2001

• Financial updates on directorates

2000

• Member dues increases linked to the CPI-U

1992

• Staff compensation oversight

1978

• APA as a responsible investor

Human Resources

1995

• Action response to affirmative action report by CEO put in place

• Governance-staff interactions principles and guidance

1994

• Procedures for governance-staff APA interactions

1993

• Reporting requirements on APA affirmative action

International Affairs

2008

• Resolution against genocide (PDF, 77KB)

2004

• Resolution on culture and gender awareness in international psychology

2001

• APA resolution on UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the convention's optional protocols

1989

• United Nations convention on the rights of the child

1987

• Human rights

• Seville statement on violence (PDF, 141KB)

1986

• Opposition to torture

1985

• Free exchange of ideas

1980

• Support for the rights of psychologists in other countries

1977

• Support for the IUPsyS resolution concerning the use of psychiatric diagnosis in the suppression of political dissent

• Zionism as a form of racism

1975

• Psychologists who are political refugees

Membership

2010

• Collection of information about the representation of women, ethnic minorities, gay men, lesbians and bisexuals, transgender individuals, and individuals with disabilities in APA governance

• Guidelines for divisions to follow with regard to fellows nominations

• The Membership Board's charge was extended to include recruitment and retention activities

1996

• Dual membership proposal

1994

• Policy on journal costs for dues-exempt members

• Required application fee dropped and expanded dues phase-in goes from three to four years

• Required endorsement dropped from the student application process

1993

• Required endorsements dropped from membership application process

1991

• A candidate for initial fellow status should select one nominating division

1989

• Students' fees received between September and December are applied to the following year although they are immediately accepted as affiliates

Organization of APA

2010

• APA core values

2009

• APA goals and objectives

• APA vision statement

2008

• Mission statement for APA

2000

• Guidelines for council resolutions

1994

• Policy on indemnification of officers, governance members and staff

• Policy on seating/space at council meetings

1991

• Policy on periodic review of committees by their parent board

1990

• Policy that mandates the Committee on Structure and Function of Council to hold a debriefing session for outgoing representatives

1985

• Policy prohibiting smoking in the council room when council is in session

1970

• Policy providing that annual reports from the treasurer, recording secretary, and executive officer be in written form

Professional Affairs

2013

• Guidelines for prevention in psychology (PDF, 495KB)

• Guidelines for psychological practice with older adults

• Guidelines for the practice of telepsychology

2012

• Recognition of psychotherapy effectiveness
  Also see the in-progress clinical treatment guidelines development.

2011

• Guidelines for psychological evaluations in child protection matters

• Guidelines for psychological practice in health care delivery systems

• Guidelines for the evaluation of dementia and age-related cognitive change

• Guidelines for the practice of parenting coordination

• Specialty guidelines for forensic psychology (PDF, 147KB)

2010

• Model act for state licensure of psychologists (PDF, 111KB)

2009

• Guidelines for child custody evaluations in family law proceedings 

• Practice guidelines regarding psychologists' involvement in pharmacological issues

• Resolution on APA endorsement of the concept of recovery for people with serious mental illness

2008

• Criteria for the evaluation of quality improvement programs and the use of quality improvement data 

2007

• APA principles for health care reform

• Guidelines for psychological practice with girls and women

• Reclaim the distinctiveness of the term "psychology"

• Record keeping guidelines

2005

• Determination and documentation of the need for practice guidelines (PDF, 130KB)

• Evidence-based practice in psychology

2004

• APA resolution on outpatient civil commitment

2003

• Health service psychologists as primary health care providers

2002

• Policy on challenges to the doctoral standard for psychology

2001

• Criteria for practice guideline development and evaluation 

2000

• Criteria for evaluating treatment guidelines

• Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism

1999

• Changing U.S. health care system

• Resolution on stigma and discrimination against people with serious mental illness and severe emotional disturbance

1997

• Disaster response network

• Follow-up to the "Principles for the provision of mental health & substance abuse treatment services: A bill of rights"

1996

• Managed care accessibility and reimbursement criteria

• Recognition of health service providers

1995

• Guidelines for engaging in the contractual provision of psychological services in schools

• Resolution concerning "Mental health consumer protection acts"

• Resolution on prescription privileges for psychologists

• Strategies to promote increased public understanding of the independent practice of psychology

1994

• Comprehensive and coordinated psychological services for children: A call for service integration (PDF, 1.1MB)

• Supervisors for psychological services in schools

• Veterans Affairs (VA) psychology

1992

• APA position statement on managed care (MC) and utilization review (UR)

• APA statement on alcohol and other drug abuse (PDF, 34KB)

• Removal of licensure exemptions for psychologists in public health care programs

1991

• Guidelines on hospital privileges: Credentialing and bylaws (PDF, 329KB)

1990

• Resolution on licensing for psychoanalysts

1989

• Impaired psychologists

1988

• Managed health care programs

1987

• Collaboration with professional nursing

1986

• Application of hypnosis

• Use of "Dr."

1978

• Psychological treatment as part of the professional preparation of a psychologist

1965

• Psychology as an independent science and profession

1956

• Psychologists in public programs

Publications and Communications

2009

• Complimentary subscriptions

2000

• Freedom of scientific inquiry and presentation of research results

1984

• Advertising in APA journals (1984)

1971

• Advertising in APA journals (1971)

Public Interest

2013

• Counseling in HIV testing programs

2012

• Resolution on combination biomedical and behavioral approaches to optimize HIV prevention (PDF, 83KB)

2011

• Guidelines for assessment of and intervention with persons with disabilities

• Guidelines for psychological practice with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients

• Guidelines for the evaluation of dementia and age-related cognitive change

• Resolution on family caregivers

• Resolution on marriage equality for same-sex couples

2010

• Resolution on ending homelessness

2009

• APA resolution on emancipating and assisting victims of human trafficking

• APA resolution on promotion of healthy active lifestyles and prevention of obesity and unhealthy weight control behaviors in children and youth

• Resolution in support of ethnic minority training in psychology

• Resolution on appropriate affirmative responses to sexual orientation distress and change efforts

• Resolution on families of incarcerated offenders

2008

• Americans with Disabilities Act

• Report of the Task Force on the Implementation of the Multicultural Guidelines (PDF, 201KB)

• Resolution on transgender and gender identity and gender expression non-discrimination

2007

• Report of the Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls

• Resolution on anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish prejudice

• Resolution on opposing discriminatory legislation and initiatives aimed at lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons

• Resolution on religious, religion-based and/or religion-derived prejudice (PDF, 52KB)

2006

• Drug abuse treatment to prevent HIV among injecting drug users (PDF, 40KB)

• Prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination (PDF, 99KB)

• Report of the Task Force on Socioeconomic Status (PDF, 517KB)

• Report of the Working Group on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents (PDF, 1.2MB)

2005

• 2005 White House Conference on Aging (PDF, 67KB)

• Empirically supported sex education and HIV prevention programs for adolescents (PDF, 94KB)

• Hate crimes

• HIV prevention strategies involving legal access to sterile injection equipment (PDF, 55KB)

• Violence in video games and interactive media (PDF, 89KB)

  This 2005 policy statement is currently under review. The APA Board of Directors is in the process of appointing a task force to review the literature published in the area since the current policy statement was adopted. The task force will report its findings and recommendations on potential changes to the APA policy statement when its work is completed.

2004

• Bullying among children and youth (PDF, 40KB)

• Children's mental health

• Sexual orientation and marriage

• Sexual orientation and military service

• Sexual orientation, parents and children

2003

• Maltreatment of children with disabilities

2002

• Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice and organizational change for psychologists

• Resolution on ageism

2001

• Assisted suicide

• Death penalty in the United States

• End of life issues and care for adults

2000

• Poverty and socioeconomic status

1999

• Affirmative action and equal opportunity

• Resolution on male violence against women

• Resolution opposing child sexual abuse

1998

• APA resolution on immigrant children, youth and families

• Legal benefits for same-sex couples

• Mandatory minimum drug sentencing regulations

1997

• Appropriate therapeutic responses to sexual orientation

• Full participation for psychologists with disabilities (PDF, 83KB)

1996

• APA resolution on school drop-out prevention (PDF, 22KB)

• Resolution on sexuality education (PDF, 21KB)

• Social practices that induce violence (PDF, 28KB)

• Urban life and residence

1995

• Psychological needs of children exposed to disasters

1994

• Firearm safety and youth

• Violence in mass media

1993

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

1992

• Legal access to sterile injection equipment by drug users

• Resolution on lesbian, gay and bisexual youths in the schools

• Resolution on the use of psychology to market tobacco products (PDF, 9KB)

• Rust v. Sullivan Supreme Court decision

1991

• Legal liability related to confidentiality and the prevention of HIV transmission

• Neuropsychological assessment and HIV infection

• Substance abuse by pregnant women (PDF, 52KB)

• U.S. Department of Defense policy on sexual orientation and advertising in APA publications

• Use of anatomically detailed dolls in forensic evaluation

1990

• English-only initiatives

• Guidelines for psychological practice with ethnic and culturally diverse populations (PDF, 132KB)

• Resolution on priorities for persons with serious and persistent mental illness

1989

• Reproductive choice

• Special education and related services for children with conduct disorders

1988

• AIDS (1988)

• Guidelines for avoiding sexism in psychological research

• Violence against children by governments

1987

• AIDS education

• Use of diagnoses "homosexuality" and "ego-dystonic homosexuality"

• Motor vehicle trauma

1986

• AIDS (1986)

• Homeless mentally ill and functionally disabled

• Use of polygraph testing

1985

• Boxing

1984

• Mentally impaired offenders

1982

• Guidelines on physical and social accessibility

• Nuclear arms

1981

• Employment rights of gay teachers

1980

• Abortion (1980)

1977

• Child custody determination

1976

• Child custody or placement

1975

• Corporal punishment

• Discrimination against homosexuals

• Equal Rights Amendment

• Psychological treatment in prison settings

1972

• Political dissent

1969

• Abortion (1969)

Scientific Affairs

2013

• Guidelines for the use of nonhuman animals in behavioral projects in schools (K-12)

• Standards for educational and psychological testing

2012

• Guidelines for ethical conduct in the care and use of nonhuman animals in research

• Guidelines for ethical conduct of behavioral projects involving human participants by high school students

2011

• Advocacy for psychology as a STEM discipline

• Resolution on affirming psychologists' role in addressing global climate change

2007

• Academic boycotts as violations of academic freedom and disruption of scientific exchange

• Resolution rejecting intelligent design as scientific and reaffirming support for evolutionary theory

2004

• Code of fair testing practices in education

2000

• Guidelines for test user qualifications (PDF, 410KB)

1999

• The universality of science

1997

• Decade of Behavior

1994

• Facilitated communication

• Resolution on cigarette smoking

1991

• Resolution on research on sexual behavior

1985

• Support for the free exchange of scientific information

1983

• Support for science education in grades K-12

1982

• Support of evolution and opposition to creationism

1981

• Impact of selective reduction of support for "social research"

1965

• Research findings belong in the public domain

1950

• APA response to Dianetics