California Psychological Association

The Government Affairs Department at CPA is responsible for protecting and advancing legislation related to the practice of Psychology. This department houses the lobbying efforts of the Association. The Advocacy staff member reviews approximately 3,000 pieces of legislation annually, seeks input from our Local Advocacy Network representatives, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding CPAs position on bills of interest. The Local Advocacy Network Representatives share this with their constituencies, and we share with the broader psychological community. CPA staff write letters of support or opposition and testify in legislative committees on relevant bills. In 2023, CPA sponsored two bills. The first, AB 282 makes an applicant for licensure eligible to take any and all examinations required for licensure as soon as all coursework required for a doctoral degree has been completed, as documented by a written certification from the registrar of the applicants educational institution or program. The bill also allows for the Board of Psychology to establish requirements consistent with national testing requirements. This is important to create efficiencies within the Board of Psychology and avoid long delays in receiving licensure. The second, SB 372, requires all boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs, including the Board of Psychology, to publicly list only the current legal name and/or gender upon documentation to the Board that the licensee or registrants legal name or gender has been changed. This bill would eliminate the use of deadnames in the public licensee database. CPA co-sponsored this bill with several colleague associations. Both of these bills were signed by the Governor.CPA hosted a virtual Lobby Day which was attended by psychologists and doctoral students from across the state to advocate directly with legislators. CPA accomplishes its advocacy goals through professional lobbying staff meeting with the 120 members of the California Legislature and through direct e-mail grassroots campaigns to our 20 affiliated chapters, eight practice divisions, and all CPA members.

The Professional Affairs Department at CPA is responsible for providing professional practice consultations and resources to CPA members. This year, the departments director provided over 550 professional practice consultations (phone and email). To keep association members informed about key issues, such as new laws affecting psychologists, the director sent seven email alerts to members. She also maintained and updated the Practice Tools and Information webpage on the CPA website with information on topics such as licensure, laws and regulations, practice guidelines, confidentiality, ethics, risk management, child abuse reporting, billing and coding, recordkeeping, and telepsychology. The director also presented webinars on Trending Topics in Professional Practice: Changes in Telehealth, Continuing Education, and More and The New Continuing Professional Development Regulations.The departments director represented CPA at four meetings of the California Board of Psychology, several subcommittee meetings of the California Board of Psychology, and at the American Psychological Association practice leadership conference. The director supported CPA legislative advocacy efforts, mainly by providing analyses of relevant laws and regulations.