Standards and Guidelines

FIRST SEEN 2026-07-29 · VERSION 20260729_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20240201_rev01

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1The following standards and guidelines have been reviewed following the procedures detailed in [Association Rule 30-8 Standards and Guidelines](https://apa.org/about/governance/bylaws/rules-30) and approved by the APA Council of Representatives as APA policy.
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3As these terms are used in APA policy, "standards" include any criteria, protocols, or specifications for conduct, performance, services, or products in psychology or related areas, including recommended standards. Standards are considered to be mandatory and may be accompanied by an enforcement mechanism.
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5## Guidelines
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7As these terms are used in APA policy, "guidelines" include pronouncements, statements, or declarations that suggest or recommend specific professional behavior, endeavor, or conduct for psychologists or for individuals or organizations that work with psychologists. In contrast to standards, guidelines are aspirational in intent.
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11### Clinical practice
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13[Clinical practice guidelines](https://apa.org/about/offices/directorates/guidelines/clinical-practice) provide recommendations based on an independent systematic review of the research on treatments for specific disorders or health conditions.
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17### Education
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19Education guidelines concern such matters as educational policy, assessment, program and curriculum development, and instruction.
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23### Professional practice
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25Professional practice guidelines are designed to guide psychologists in practice regarding particular roles, populations, or settings, and are supported by the current scholarly literature but do not focus upon specific disorders or treatments.
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27_\* Developed by APA's Practice Directorate to aid psychologists in their practice with special populations._
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31### Public interest
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33Public interest guidelines and standards provide psychologists with the rationale and guidance for advancing multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice in psychological education, research, and practice.
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35_\* Developed by APA's Public Interest Directorate to aid psychologists in their practice with special populations._
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39### Science
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41Science guidelines provide guidance to psychologists who conduct research with both human and nonhuman animals or who are engaged in psychological testing and assessment, in a variety of settings.
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45### Miscellaneous