SOCIETY FOR PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT, INCORPORATED MAY 6, 1938

The purpose of the Society is to promote the study, research, development and

application of methods of personality assessment.

Classes of Membership

         1.  MEMBER

                  Persons whose work and interests lie primarily in the study or treatment of human behavior and its development or dysfunction, and who are recognized by virtue of professional training, experience, and membership in professional associations, as qualified psychologists, psychiatrists, or research workers in these fields, may be elected as Members provided their qualifications conform to the following standards: Doctorate in psychology, medicine, or related field and involved in personality assessment at a level of supervised experience acceptable to the Membership Committee. The requirement of a doctorate may be waived in the case of applicants from countries in which it is not the standard degree relevant to the practice of personality assessment if applicants have the advanced degree and training necessary for independent practice as determined by the Membership Committee.

         2.  FELLOW (only Members in-good-standing are eligible to apply or be nominated)

        A.      Psychologists or individuals in the behavioral sciences who have demonstrated particular competence in methods of personality assessment in two of the following ways:

                  (1)     A history of successful teaching in the area of personality assessment demonstrated by the attainment of the rank of Associate Professor or higher; or

                  (2)     Made theoretical or research contributions of high quality in the area of personality assessment; or

                  (3)     Have demonstrated professional leadership through supervision, administration or consultation in the use of methods of personality assessment within an institution or agency; or

                  (4)     Have demonstrated other high attainments such as acquisition of the ABPP diploma

                  (5)     Have made a unique and outstanding contribution to the Society

        B.      Doctor's degree with special training in methods of personality assessment and a minimum of five years of acceptable experience following the attainment of the degree. The requirement of a doctorate may be waived in the case of applicants from countries in which it is not the standard degree relevant to the practice of personality assessment if they have a minimum of five years of acceptable experience after attaining the degree necessary for independent practice as determined by the Membership Committee.

        C.      Each applicant for Fellow shall be endorsed as to competence, personal soundness and integrity by at least one Fellow and one Member of the Society.

         3.  ASSOCIATE

        A.      Persons who are graduate students in psychology or professionals or paraprofessionals who are working in supervised positions may be elected as Associates provided their qualifications conform to the following standards:

                  (1)     Completion of one full year of graduate study in psychology plus one year of supervised experience, or completion of two years of graduate study with at least one semester of study in a full academic university course in methods of personality assessment; or

                  (2)     Two years of experience in the particular professional or paraprofessional field of the applicant who holds at least an Associate of Arts degree.

                           Note:  After five years, associates may apply for full membership.

         4.  STUDENT AFFILIATE

        A.      Graduate students enrolled in a regionally accredited program in psychology or a related field may be elected as Student Affiliates.

B.      Graduate students may be enrolled in this membership category for a maximum of five years.

C.      Persons enrolled in a post graduate or fellowship program can maintain the Student Affiliate classification.

         5.  NEW  DOCTORAL GRADUATE AND SECOND YEAR DOCTORAL GRADUATE

A.   To ease the financial transition from Student Affiliate to Member, the Board has added two more classes of membership. New doctoral  graduates pay $60 and second year doctoral graduates pay $85 as members of the Society. The third year after receipt of their doctoral degree, these members will be expected to pay the full annual dues of $120.00.

         6.  HONORARY MEMBER

                  Persons of outstanding distinction or who have done much to promote the objectives of the Society may be elected to Honorary Membership status.

      7.  LIFE MEMBER

        A.      Attainment of age 65 and Member/Fellow of the Society for 20 years; OR

        B.      Attainment of age 65, retired, and Member/Fellow of the Society for at least 10 years.

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        Dues are as follows:  Member, Associate, Fellow $120.00, Student Affiliate $32.00 New Doctoral Graduates $60.00, and Second-year Doctoral Graduates  $85.00. Life Members/Life Fellows are exempt from annual dues but may subscribe to the Journal for $25.00.  Annual dues include a subscription to the Journal of Personality Assessment, edited by the Society, published by Taylor and Francis, the SPA Exchange newsletter, and reduced rates for the annual meeting and workshop registration.

Only Fellows, Members and Life Members have the right to vote, if dues are current. Application fees are the same amount as dues and are credited as dues when membership status is confirmed.  Those applying after September 1 will receive their Journals in the upcoming year. If you wish to receive the current year’s Journals, please contact the SPA office for the rates.