Board of Professional Affairs

The Board of Professional Affairs is responsible for recommending and implementing APA policy, standards and guidelines for the profession of psychology, maintaining relationships with other professional organizations and groups appropriate to its mission, recognizing contributions to the profession of psychology through awards and honors, proposing to the association ways to enhance the profession of psychology and fostering the application of psychological knowledge to promote public welfare. Members of the Board of Professional Affairs are elected to represent the range of interests characteristic of the profession of psychology. MISSION The Board of Professional Affairs shall consist of no fewer than nine members of the association, who shall serve for terms of three years each, except when filling a vacancy on the board. The Board of Professional Affairs shall be responsible for developing recommendations for and monitoring the implementation of APA policy, standards and guidelines for the profession of psychology, maintaining relationships with other professional organizations and groups appropriate to its mission, recognizing contributions to the profession of psychology through awards and honors, proposing to the association ways to enhance the profession of psychology and fostering the application of psychological knowledge in order to promote public welfare. Insofar as possible, members of the Board of Professional Affairs shall be elected to represent the range of interests characteristic of the profession of psychology. The promotion of human welfare is the primary principle guiding the professional activity of psychologists. Consistent with this principle, the Board of Professional Affairs adheres to the APA guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice and organizational change for psychologists. Board of Professional Affairs members are committed to enhancing awareness and understanding of cultural diversity at all levels. The Board of Professional Affairs is committed to incorporating these guidelines into its deliberations and decision making, written materials, board composition, policies and procedures. Within APA, the Board of Professional Affairs supports culturally informed organizational (policy) development and change. The Board of Professional Affairs intends that these actions will impact the broader professional practice arena.