The Executive Officer recommends and participates in the formulation of new policies and makes decisions under existing policies as they have been approved by the Board of Trustees. Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the staff, programs and activities authorized by the Board to assure that objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs are met. Maintains effective internal and external relationships. Through management and leadership, achieves economical, productive performance, forward looking programming and constructive growth of the organization.
David R. Cox, PhD, ABPP
Executive Officer Update
Year-end Board of Trustees Board of Trustees Meeting December 2025
Specialty Board Affiliation Process
The process of full affiliation has been attained by the American Board of Addiction Psychology (ABAP) and will be attained by the American Board of Serious Mental Illness Psychology (ABSMIP) this month. Congratulations to those who founded these boards and ushered through the 30+ specialists in each specialty area to reach this point.
The American Board of Psychopharmacological Psychology (ABRxP) is expected to begin examination of the founding members sometime later this year.
Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology (COS)
The Council of Specialties will have a hybrid meeting in mid-November to review the landscape of specialty within psychology, plan for and initiate additional efforts to increase awareness and use of the Taxonomies (see https://www.cospp.org/cos-approved-specialty-e-t-taxonomies). This will include an effort within ABPP to increase specialty boards’ formal incorporation of the specialty taxonomy into its manuals and examination process. A group of us involved in COS have also proposed a presentation for the upcoming Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) encouraging formal adoption and integration of the specialty taxonomy into the education and training pathways.
Coalition of Psychology Practice Organizations
Several organizations had organized together to focus on psychology practice and needs for practitioners that may not be adequately met presently. The ABPP Executive Committee has agreed to have ABPP participate along with The National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NR), APA Divisions 31 and 42, and The Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). ABPP has been working cooperatively with several of these organizations already, so this merely becomes a more formal grouping to increase educational opportunities, and advocate for practice/practitioners.
A plan for some listening sessions early in 2026 to discern what the practice community may want/need has been set in motion. Following those, a plan for the future will be discussed by the group.
Model Licensing Acts
ASPPB and APA are each working on model licensing acts that incorporate the scope of practice and regulations for both doctoral and masters level individuals. This work has been somewhat difficult and contentious at times, and the two organizations’ acts are anticipated to have some differences that may be significant. While neither act is yet out for public review and comment, it will be important to participate in that process when it occurs. A group within APA has been lobbying for an exemption from licensing for those that are considered Applied Consulting Psychologists or General Applied Psychologists yet permitting them to legally use the title of psychologist. When these acts are available for review, we will provide notice as well as comment formally as ABPP. Individual specialists are also encouraged to review the acts and comment.
Expert Voice Benefit for ABPP Specialists
ABPP is in the process (it may have rolled out by the time you read this) of providing ABPP specialists access to Expert Voice, a platform that provides the opportunity to make purchases at a discounted price. ABPP makes no money from this, nor does it cost ABPP or specialists to use the service. You will be able to set up your own individual account and opt in or out of emails. As an example, when I learned about the service I was interested in purchasing a new laptop with more advanced specs for my hobby of music creation. I was able to purchase a Lenovo computer through Expert Voice at a 34% discount compared with the lowest price I found on Amazon or through Lenovo. That savings was greatly appreciated!
Respectfully submitted,
David R. Cox, PhD, ABPP
Executive Officer