It’s been nearly 20 years since NYSPA last adjusted dues. Over that time, the cost of providing programs, services, and advocacy has continued to rise while dues stayed the same.  If adjusting only for the rate of inflation, dues today would need to increase by more than $200 for most members.

We attempted to manage costs by reducing staffing and other expenses, and drawing from our financial reserves.  We also attempted to maintain or grow value by growing new programs and benefits.  That approach now affects our ability to deliver programs without additional support.

The previous structure—31 categories and nearly 200 different rates—had become confusing and inconsistent.  The new model simplifies membership to fewer than 10 classes, aligns dues with value, and ensures long-term sustainability for programs members rely on.

NYSPA began with an analysis of costs, benefits, and rate structures across comparable state associations using publicly available information.  We engaged in extensive modeling and solicited input from Divisions and SIGs, the NYSPA Council, the Membership Committee and other subgroups. We also looked carefully at how dues were currently distributed among members to ensure fairness.

The average change across all members is about $26. Most members will see a modest increase of $20–$30, while others may see larger adjustments to correct category inconsistencies and align benefits. This is most likely the case for members who currently are listed in the referral directory, but are not in any Divisions and SIGs

Since dues rates have not changed in nearly 20 years, if adjusting only for the rate of inflation, dues today would need to increase by more than $200 for most members. We evaluated alternatives to raising dues, but none of those options were feasible without a significant increase in membership.

For most members, the change represents a modest increase. A small number will see higher adjustments (up to about $80) as NYSPA brings fairness and consistency to rates that had diverged over time. 

There is a very small number of members in specific categories being discontinued who may see more substantive increases ($100 or more).  We are reviewing these individual situations on a case-by-case basis and will make some adjustments to facilitate the transition.

Even with these changes, NYSPA remains among the most affordable state associations given the breadth of included benefits. 

Each member’s profile was individually reviewed—including eligibility, years of experience, and benefits used—to assign the class that best fits their professional stage and engagement with NYSPA. With nearly 200 variations in dues under the prior model, this process was performed with care and diligence. Here are some of the general rubric that we applied to this task:

• Eligibility requirements were examined first. Any members currently in categories for which they were not eligible were reassigned.
• Individuals who completed their doctorate fewer than 10 years ago were placed in the ECP category.
• Any members currently in one of nearly 20 different Emeriti categories were put into one membership class.
• Full members who were in one Division or SIG or less AND who were NOT in the referral database, were put into the Full Member BASIC category.
• Full members who were in two or more Divisions/SIGS AND/OR were in the referral database, were put in the Full Member PLUS category.
• Student members remained in the student category. Students who had selected Doctoral Student Upgrade, were moved to the ECP category.
• Associate and Affiliate members under the old category may have been recategorized to other classes that better matched their eligibility.
• Out of State members were mostly moved to Full Member Basic or Plus depending on their use of other benefits.
• Spouse of Member members were re-assigned to the appropriate full member category. We will be reaching out to these individuals to manage the adjustment as this group probably will see the most significant change to their dues.
• Members in the hardship category were moved to the appropriate member category and will be provided with a discount.

If you believe your class doesn’t reflect your current situation, please reach out using our contact form. We will attempt to review requests as quickly as possible.

Mistakes can happen, or you may want to change. We are here to help. We encourage you to start by reviewing the category eligibility criteria and information on how we assigned members to new membership categories. After that, if you still believe there is an error, or would like to make a change, please use our CONTACT FORM and provide your full name and a brief note describing your concern. The membership staff will verify eligibility and adjust as needed. For more difficult cases and requests, the Membership Committee, the Finance Committee or the Executive Committee of the Council may be asked to participate in the resolution.

The eligibility for each member category are largely unchanged. We have largely consolidated like groups and taken steps to ensure members end up in the category that best matches their membership status and eligibility.

• Full Member (Basic or Plus): Licensed psychologists with a doctorate with 10+ years of experience. This would include psychologists from Out of State.

• BASIC includes members matching these critera and who are in no more than one Division or SIG AND are not within the referral director (i.e., Find a Psychologist).
• PLUS includes members matching these criteria and who wish to be in multiple Divisions/SIGs AND/OR want to be listed in the Find a Psychologist Referral Database.
  
  

• Early Career Psychologist (ECP): Within 10 years of completing a doctoral degree.

• Emeriti: At or above federal full retirement age and practicing fewer than 20 hours per week.

• Student: Enrolled in a recognized/accredited psychology or related degree program.

• Non-Psychologist AssociateMember: Master’s-level professionals in psychology or related licensed professions (e.g., LCSW, LMHC, PMHNP-BC) seeking CE access.

• Affiliate: Allied professionals or supporters meeting defined criteria. These memberships are typically restricted to individuals who do not match any other member category, but has an recognized relationship to the profession or NYSPA and its initiatives. These memberships are sometimes granted on a complimentary basis. Examples might include staff from sister organizations or organizations with whom we collaborate on legislative or other initiatives.

In the past, we had nearly 20 different Emeriti member categories, and most Emeriti members were not required to pay dues.  Any contribution was considered optional and many Emeriti members have continued to be generous supporters of NYSPA in this way.  We changed the dues model around Emeriti to recognize this fact and to provide greater incentive to Emeriti to continue those voluntary contributions.

In recognition of the fact that NYSPA provides no direct goods or services in return for those contributions, we have re-aligned this member category so that all Emeriti dues are now optional.  Unless otherwise specified, all contributions from Emeriti will be treated as tax-deductible donations to the NYSPA Foundation and directed toward the support of Divisions, SIGs and other NYSPA educational programs.  

Because these memberships are donation-based, automatic renewal does not apply. Emeriti will receive annual renewal reminders to maintain their membership, with the opportunity to provide the optional donation.  Individuals interested in larger contributions or in establilshing a legacy or estate gift to NYSPA are encouraged to reach out to NYSPA for more information and to discuss your interests.

Starting this year, NYSPA will use automatic annual renewal for most membership classes—a highly requested convenience feature. Unless you opt out during registration, your membership will renew automatically each year, with a 30-day advance notice before any charge. (Emeriti members are excluded since theirs is a donation-based renewal.)

The NYSPA Council approved the initial membership classes and rates in July, and finalized approval for this year's dues at their meeting in September. The new classes and rates went into effect on October 22nd, with the opening of the 2026 dues renewal cycle.

In a few cases, yes. To honor existing commitments and avoid disruption, some members will retain benefits not included in their new membership class. For example:

• Example #1: current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) members in the Associate class will keep Synapse & listserv access, while at this time new LCSW members in the Non-Psychologist Associate Member class will not receive these benefits.
• Example #2: currently four individuals in a spouses of members category who are themselves eligible for full membership, pay a deeply discounted member rate. This rate will not be offered for future members. However, the current members in this class will be offered a graduated rate over a period of time to ease adjustment.

These transitional arrangements will be reviewed periodically.

A major consideration of this change was input from Divisions and SIGs. In addition our own data showed the importance that Divisions and SIGS have within the NYSPA community. Members of Divisions and SIGs are more likely to remain NYSPA members. Divisions and SIGs also create much of our educational content (CEs) for members in addition to volunteer and leadership development opportunities and much more.

The new model encourages members to engage and find their home within NYSPA – allowing all Full Members at the Basic level to join one Division or SIG of their choice for FREE as part of membership. Other member classes (Full Member Plus, ECP and Emeriti) may now join as many Divisions and SIGS as they like at no additional cost. The new model allows NYSPA to resume providing budgetary support to Divisions and Special Interest Groups (SIGs)—a longstanding member priority. This funding will strengthen professional communities, support programming, and enhance engagement opportunities.

Finally, in addition to the above, any donations made by Emeriti will go to the NYSPA Foundation and be put toward supporting the educational activities of Divisions, SIGs, and NYSPA unless otherwise requested by the donor.

Possibly. The new model is designed to evolve with members’ needs. Given this is our first deep structural change to our dues model in decades, we recognize some adjustments may still be necessary. Over the next year, NYSPA will review feedback and usage data and may add or refine benefits to the new membership categories. We will also be continuing to look at at least two specific categories in greater depth:

Any further significant changes to the dues structure and model are not expected to go into effect until the 2027 dues cycle. Any future updates will be announced well in advance and will again include multiple opportunities for the related member segments to be involved and provide feedback.

Possibly, although as part of this change in dues structure, the NYSPA Council also approved a policy change that would limit future dues changes in any given year to the federal 10-year adjusted inflation rate, which is currently 2.51%. This means that without special action by the NYSPA Council, the largest possible dues increase next year in any membership category would be at most $10.

The new model is designed to evolve with members’ needs. Over the next year, NYSPA will review feedback and usage data and may add or refine benefits. Any future updates will be announced well in advance.

Finally, while this year we focused on addressing operational items and moving toward streamlining various activities, in 2026 we will begin to focus on new member recruitment and diversifying our revenue streams. If we can become less dues dependent, then we can do more to lower the cost of membership while maintaining or increasing value for members. This is an area where each and every member could help. If 25% of our members recruited just one new member this year, that would make our collective voice much stronger in Albany. It would stabilize our finances. It would enable us to restore, explore, and implement benefits that members want most.