Utah Psychological Association Named Inaugural National Register SPTA Advocacy Award Winner 

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists is proud to present the inaugural SPTA Advocacy Award to the Utah Psychological Association.

This award will be presented annually to two State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations (SPTAs) to honor excellence in advocacy. 

April D. Fernando, PhD, member of the National Register Board of Directors and Chair of the National Register’s SPTA Advocacy Award Committee, said of the Utah Psychological Association: “The Committee was incredibly impressed with UPA’s advocacy accomplishments in 2024, specifically the passage of prescriptive authority legislation and successful efforts to advocate for legislation defining best practices for use of technology in the delivery of behavioral health care. Congratulations to UPA!”

After receiving notice of the award, the Utah Psychological Association stated, “The Utah Psychological Association (UPA) is both humbled and honored to be chosen by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists for its first State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Associations (SPTA) Award. UPA members have long been committed to legislative and regulatory advocacy for both psychologists and those they serve. Members have also been dedicated to supporting and sustaining the Director of Professional Affairs (DPA) position, a long-serving Executive Director, and an active, informed Board, as the cornerstones to accomplishing its advocacy successes. UPA is grateful to the National Register for this recognition.”

The National Register looks forward to the 2026 cycle of this inaugural award. Learn more on our SPTA Advocacy Award page.

About the National Register of Health Service Psychologists  

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists was established in 1974 and is the largest nonprofit credentialing organization for psychologists and psychology doctoral students. The National Register is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare by identifying psychologists who meet specific education and training standards, and by verifying these professionals to consumers, healthcare organizations, and regulatory bodies. The National Register currently credentials 10,000 Health Service Psychologists and has approximately 5,000 psychology doctoral student and postdoctoral trainee members in its Associate Program. For more information, visit www.nationalregister.org.  

###  

For more information about this announcement, contact the National Register at 202.783.7663.