Alabama
The Alabama Psychological Association enjoyed an excellent mid-winter meeting at the end of January, with visits to the state capitol and talks on effective strategies for advocacy. Members also voted for a change in membership structure to fund a lobbyist who can consistently advocate for APA priorities with lawmakers. This past year aPA has also joined as a cosigner on an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court in Hamm v. Smith (No. 24-872). The case presents a critical question about how courts should consider multiple IQ test scores when assessing intellectual disability in capital cases under Atkins v. Virginia. The case arises directly out of Alabama, making aPA’s participation particularly meaningful. The brief argues that courts should consider multiple IQ test scores using established scientific methods, not simple averaging, and emphasizes that intellectual disability diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical assessment of all relevant data. This aligns with the scientific consensus that accurate diagnosis requires assessment of intellectual functioning, adaptive functioning, and developmental onset through clinical judgment. aPA is looking forward to our annual convention at Orange Beach in August 2026. With the theme of Navigating New Depths, this convention will focus on elevating psychology for both professionals and patients.
Arizona
The Arizona Psychological Association is stepping into the year with strong momentum and a clear focus on connection, visibility, and long-term impact. Members and colleagues are encouraged to explore the wide range of topics in our upcoming continuing education eventsopens in new window. Planning is underway for our annual convention, taking place October 23–25 at the beautiful We-Ko-Pa resort in Fort McDowell, AZ. Current strategic priorities include expanding social media and branding efforts to elevate our voice in the community, fostering a culture grounded in community, inclusion, and transparency, and strengthening long-term impact through collaborative partnerships and thoughtful legislative strategy that supports both practitioners and the communities they serve.
British Columbia
Over the past several months, the British Columbia Psychological Association has been deeply engaged in advocacy as significant regulatory change approaches with the April 1, 2026 implementation of the Health Professions and Occupations Act, which introduces greater oversight of regulated health professions. We are actively advocating with our college and the provincial government to ensure that the new framework appropriately reflects the unique ethical, clinical, and confidentiality considerations of psychological practice, while safeguarding both the public and the profession. In parallel, we are in ongoing discussions with the provincial government to expand public coverage and access to psychological services, emphasizing the essential role psychologists play in prevention, early intervention, and system sustainability. We have also recently launched a new podcast, Inside Your Mind, featuring our members in thoughtful conversations about the practice and profession of psychology, while offering accessible mental health insights and evidence-based tips to the public.
Florida
Florida is transforming in many ways…with a new year brings new elected leaders as well as a new executive director who has been at the helm for four months. Membership revenue is the driving resource for FPA, and the focus is on enhancing and redefining benefits. Psychologists in Florida go through license renewal every other year, so May 31, 2026 is the deadline for those license renewals. FPA offers the required mandatory CE’s, learning is also a major focus for our members and those who rely on FPA for these CE’s. With the physical office closure finalized (December 2025), FPA staff rolled up their sleeves and have tamed working remotely quite well, something that comes second nature for Danna Fowble and her association management team, who have worked remotely for more than 15 years. As a big state, we had two FAC’s and our executive director representing ACC on Capitol Hill last week. Florida’s legislative session ends March 13, and as a final advocacy push, FPA will be hosting in-district meetings from February 26–March 12, 2026. We will gear up for redistricting discussions during an April Special Session, followed by the big election cycle in August.
Iowa
Outstanding State Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Award
Division 31 recognized IPA for its leadership, courage, and perseverance, as it exemplifies the very best of state psychological advocacy. Our state psychological associations work tirelessly to support psychologists and protect the integrity of our profession. But in 2024 and 2025, on top of everything else it does for its members, the Iowa Psychological Association was called to respond to an extraordinary challenge—one that threatened the security of psychological testing and the ethical foundations of our work. In early 2024, legislation and court action in Iowa sought to compel the disclosure of raw test data and assessment materials in legal proceedings. These efforts put test security, professional ethics, and public protection at risk. IPA stepped forward immediately. When asked to file an amicus brief before the Iowa Supreme Court—on a tight timeline and with significant financial risk—they mobilized immediately. Their leadership secured legal expertise, raised funds, engaged national partners, and coordinated members across the state. They invested nearly daily hours in research, consultation, and advocacy, ensuring that the court fully understood the scientific, ethical, and legal stakes involved. They also built partnerships—working with APA, collaborating with Pearson, and organizing a highly effective moot court that strengthened the case. On February 14, 2025, their efforts were rewarded. The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed that test materials and data are protected under state law. But the impact did not stop there. Their work helped catalyze the adoption of APA’s first formal policy on test security. Through vision, persistence, and collaboration, IPA demonstrated what is possible when an association leads with purpose. For protecting our science, our ethics, and the public we serve, the Iowa Psychological Association was presented with the Outstanding State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Award. Congratulations!
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is four weeks into its legislative session, and it is full speed ahead. OPA has authored a bill to change the managed care peer-to-peer process to a true peer-to-peer review for prior authorizations. Additionally, the bill is designed to reimburse psychologists whose claims are denied, they must appeal and are compensated to also get compensated for the work on the appeal. OPA is also working, at their request, to move BCBA’s and their OLBAB board activities underneath the Oklahoma Board of Examiners of Psychology (OSBEP). Both bills passed the first Senate committee and are headed to the full Senate floor. Outside of legislative activities, OPA is gearing up for collaborative continuing education with other SPTAs and Trust Risk Management workshops that will add a billers and coders breakouts to ensure training and education supports the psychological practice entirely, while looking at ways to engage these folks ongoing in OPA membership.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA) is excited to announce our hybrid October 15-17 convention at the retro Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park. This is our second meeting in a resort location with late-night bowling, morning meet-ups on one of the best Jersey shore boardwalks, and an abundance of walkable gastronomic delights. In 2025, we introduced a new benefits-based membership structure and new benefits, including free home studies. We continue to experiment with new ways to support member needs through DPA services such as pop-up “DPA Hot Topics” events. NJPA’s legislative agenda includes permanent telehealth payment parity (currently expires 6/30/26), RxP, and reimbursable billing codes for use in non-face-to-face clinical work.
New Mexico
As part of its strategic goal to grow the psychology workforce in the state, the New Mexico Psychological Association has started a scholarship program to pay the EPPP exam and sitting fee for applicants seeking licensure in New Mexico who have expressed their interest in staying in New Mexico and serving our communities.