This section provides information for individuals, currently licensed in a jurisdiction in the United States of America, who are preparing to apply for registration as a Psychologist or Psychological Associate in Ontario.
There are two Certificates of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice available in Ontario.
- For a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice as a Psychologist, you require a doctoral degree in psychology; and
- For a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice as a Psychological Associate, you require a master’s degree in psychology.
The complete requirements for registration as either a Psychologist or Psychological Associate are set out in the Registration Regulation .
Psychologists and psychological associates who are licensed in the USA may be eligible to apply for a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Interim Autonomous Practice while they proceed to meet the remaining requirements for a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice. The Certificate of Registration Authorizing Interim Autonomous Practice allows applicants to practise autonomously in Ontario for limited time while they complete the remaining registration requirements for issuance of a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice.
Working in Canada
In order to be issued with a certificate of registration by the College, an applicant must be authorized to work in Canada. Under O.Reg.193/23 of the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, an applicant must be either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or authorized to practice in the profession under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada but who hold a valid work permit may also meet this requirement.
This requirement applies to all classes of registration, and also applies to applicants whose sole intention is to provide telehealth services.
For more information about Canadian work permits, including how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/apply.html
The requirements and process to obtain a work permit in Canada are separate from the College’s own requirements.
Registration Guidelines: Interim Autonomous Practice
- A – Introduction, B – Terms of Reference, C – Overview of Requirements
- D – Application Procedure
- E – Registration Process
- F – Duration of Certificate for Interim Autonomous Practice
- G – Designation
- H – Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
- I – Jurisprudence and Ethics Examination (JEE)
- J – Registration Interview
- Appendix A – Fees in the Registration Process
- Appendix B – Timelines in the Registration Process
- Appendix C – Definition of Practice Areas
- Appendix D – Core Competencies for Professional Practice in Psychology
- Appendix E – Criteria for Evaluation of Good Character
- Appendix F – Language Fluency Policy
- Appendix G – Examination Accommodation Policy
- Appendix H – Alternative Documentation Policy
Other Useful Information
Applying as a Psychologist
In order to qualify for a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Interim Autonomous Practice as a Psychologist in Ontario, the applicant must be:
Fully registered or licensed for autonomous/independent practice as a Psychologist, with no restrictions on their registration/license, be in good standing, and must have:
Practised the profession of psychology at any time during the 2 years immediately before the date of their application for registration in Ontario, and their registration is in a jurisdiction:
a. with which the College has entered into a written reciprocity agreement as of the date of the application; or
b. that is considered by a panel of the Registration Committee to have registration requirements considered to be equivalent* to those of the College for a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice as a Psychologist; or
c. holds a current Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) awarded by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
*The Registration Committee considers registration requirements to be equivalent when an applicant is licensed as a psychologist by a U.S. state psychology licensing board. To find acceptable U.S. psychology licensing boards, applicants can use the search feature available at the following link: https://www.asppb.net/page/BdContactNewPG. Licensure must be on the basis of a completed doctoral degree in psychology, a period of post-doctoral supervised practice, and successful completion of the EPPP (Part 1) examination with a passing score of at least 70% or 500.
Applying as a Psychological Associate
In order to qualify for a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Interim Autonomous Practice as a Psychological Associate in Ontario, the applicant must be:
Fully registered or licensed for autonomous/independent practice as a Psychological Associate, with no restrictions on their registration/license, be in good standing, and must have:
Practised the profession of psychology at any time during the 2 years immediately before the date of the application for registration in Ontario, and their registration/licensure is in a jurisdiction:
a. with which the College has entered into a written reciprocity agreement as of the date of the application; or
b. that is considered by a panel of the Registration Committee to have registration requirements equivalent* to those of the College for a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice as a Psychological Associate.
*The Registration Committee considers registration requirements to be equivalent when an applicant is licensed as a psychological associate by a U.S. state psychology licensing board. To find acceptable U.S. psychology licensing boards, applicants can use the search feature available at the following link: https://www.asppb.net/page/BdContactNewPG. Licensure must be on the basis of a completed master’s degree in psychology, a period of post-master’s supervised practice, and successful completion of the EPPP (Part 1) examination with a passing score of at least 70% or 500.