Membership
IPA Membership
The Iowa Psychological Association applies the practice and science of psychology to promote the health and human welfare of the diverse individuals who call Iowa home. We support Iowans through education, service and advocacy. Additionally, we provide a caring and collaborative professional organization to advance the interests of psychologists. IPA is the only organization offering advocacy specific to the psychologists of Iowa. Join a thriving and diverse group committed to advocating for our profession, and find out what IPA can do for you!
In This Section
Membership Benefits
Professional & Educational Development
- Top quality continuing education for licensure
- Education regarding APA initiatives
- Discounted attendance for IPA-sponsored conferences and workshops
- Representation in APA governance
Practice Assistance
- Resources for Starting or Managing a Private Practice in Iowa – a member access only document
- Professional standards consultation
- Member website listings
- Online job listings
Advocacy
- Legislative influence through IPA’s lobbyist
- Voice in Congress when IPA leadership meets with Iowa’s senators and members of congress
- Participation in our annual Legislative Day
- Representation in APA governance
- Learn more about advocacy
Friendship, Networking, & Professional Home
- Meet with old friends and colleagues and make new ones at IPA events
- Join one of the many IPA committees, make a difference and network with other professionals
- Use the IPA E-List to ask questions, inform colleagues of news developments and stay in touch statewide
- Subscriptions to the IPA Blog
- FREE job postings to the IPA E-List and website
- Website memberships
- Access to benefits and discounts via IPA’s Business Partnerships
- Become a Student Mentor
- Become a Student Sponsor
Professional Recognition
- Inclusion in IPA online directory
- Opportunity to represent psychology in media interviews
- Eligibility for IPA Service Awards, Meritorious Achievement Award, Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, Ann Ernst Award
Become a Student Member
Benefits Include
- Networking and relationship building with professional psychologists
- Participate in the Student Mentor Program
- Student poster and conference presentations
- Advertisement for data collection efforts
- Student voice in Executive Council
- Join as a Sponsored Student
Sarah Fetter, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
I joined IPA as a full member in summer 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. While teleworking full-time, I was looking for new ways to connect with colleagues, reduce professional isolation, and engage in social justice efforts. The social learning opportunities provided by IPA over this past year have been numerous and enriching. I have connected with psychologists across the state through online events organized by the Diversity & Social Justice committee, including town halls, book discussions and continuing education trainings on racial equity topics. These IPA programs give members an opportunity to co-create a professional community working toward social justice, to uphold our ethical responsibility to do so. I am grateful that IPA has become an organization that provides opportunities to channel the privilege we hold as psychologists toward advocacy efforts that promote the health, safety and wellbeing of all Iowans.
Membership Levels
Applicants who are currently licensed to practice psychology in Iowa or are currently full members of APA qualify for automatic acceptance to IPA upon application, if the applicant has no pending ethical or licensure cases. We also offer a discounted rate of $200 for the first-year of full membership status.
Minimum status for Full Members is eligibility for Member status in APA. APA lists eligibility as follows:
- You must have a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field from
- A regionally accredited institution,
- A school that received such accreditation within 5 years of the doctoral degree,
- Or a school of similar standing outside of the United States
- Your degree needs to be based, in part, upon a psychological dissertation or other evidence of proficiency in psychological scholarship. If your degree is from an institution outside of the United States, you’ll need to show U.S. equivalency.
- Candidates for Full Member status shall be engaged in study or professional work that is primarily psychological in nature.
We also offer graduated membership rates for early career psychologists. To qualify as an Early Career Psychologist, members must meet criteria as a Full Member and be within 3 years of receiving their doctorate. Discounted rates apply for years 1-3 of early career status. Following year 3, members then pay the regular dues rates.
Early Career Psychologist Year 1 / Free
Early Career Psychologist Year 2 / $150
Early Career Psychologist Year 3 / $250
Academic members must also meet the criteria for Full Member and are professionals who are engaged in teaching, research, or administration at an academic institution and do not engage in the practice of psychology outside of academic duties.
Must provide documentation of membership in another professional organization dedicated to psychology in order to qualify.
Applicants should be enrolled in a regionally accredited college or university and do not earn any income from applied psychological activities (with the exception of stipends or other awards provided by their degree program). Student members may not vote or hold office, but are able to participate on committees.
Applicant lives out of Iowa but maintains an active license to practice psychology in Iowa and provides psychological services to Iowa consumers.
Full members of IPA younger than 65 years who are retired or not maintaining an active license.
$235 Annually
(still practicing psychologist)
$0 Annually
(fully retired from the practice of psychology)
A lifetime member is 65 years or older and has been a Full Member in good standing for a minimum of five years. A lifetime member who is actively practicing in psychology will no longer be required to pay assessments for advocacy.
No annual dues are assessed for a lifetime member who is no longer employed in the field of psychology. Lifetime Fully Retired members receive annual requests to recommit to their membership before the renewal date (February 1).
Associates are eligible for Associate member status in APA and/or membership in NASP. Associate members must have two years of graduate work in psychology from:
- A regionally accredited institution,
- A school that received such accreditation within 5 years of the doctoral degree,
- Or a school of similar standing outside of the United States
If your degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., you’ll need to show U.S. equivalency.
Candidates for Associate status shall be engaged in work that is primarily psychological in nature. Associate members may serve on committees, but may not hold office. Associates will achieve voting privileges after 5 consecutive years of Associate member status. Former Full Members of IPA who have moved out of state and no longer receive income from the practice of psychology in Iowa are eligible for Associate member status.
Sponsor a Student
Support the next generation by sponsoring a student member of IPA. Your generous donation provides a year of free membership, fostering student connections and engagement with IPA.