L’Ordre des psychologues et des analystes du comportement de l’Ontario est l’organe directeur des psychologues, des associés en psychologie et des analystes du comportement en Ontario. Son mandat est de protéger l’intérêt public en réglementant la pratique de la psychologie et de l’analyse appliquée du comportement (ACA) en Ontario. L’Ordre est régi par un conseil composé de dix membres élus en psychologie et en ACA, de deux à quatre membres universitaires nommés des professions et de huit à treize membres du public nommés par le lieutenant-gouverneur en conseil. De plus, il compte un associé en psychologie élu sans droit de vote. Tous les membres du conseil de l’Ordre, qu’ils soient élus ou nommés, représentent le public et non la circonscription du district ou de l’université où ils ont été élus ou nommés.
The next election to the Board will take place on March 31, 2026.
Electoral seats are open to eligible registrants of both professions, and all registrants are eligible to vote.
WHY GET INVOLVED?
The Board of Directors of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario have a direct voice in determining policies, programs and services that ensure the delivery of safe and effective psychological and behavioural services. Board involvement provides registrants of the College with an opportunity to take an active role in the self-regulation of the professions. Our registrants provide insights to Board discussions, drawing upon their wealth of knowledge, expertise, and individual diversity. During the three-year term, registrants will enhance their understanding of the inner workings of College governance and its processes, have an impact on how the professions are regulated, and help shape the future of the profession in Ontario. Becoming a Board Director is not only an opportunity to take part in important decision-making but to learn new skills and become a leader in the professions.
Board participation may be counted toward one’s Continuing Professional Development requirement (Section C – Additional Professional Development Activities).
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Registrants who wish to assist in making decisions that reflect the College’s mandate to protect the public interest and who are willing to commit the time to participate on the Board and its committees.
The College recognizes the importance of a Board that reflects equity, diversity, and inclusion and appreciates the benefits inherent in these broad and varied points of view. Ontario is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world – most Ontarians can trace their roots outside of Canada. Ontarians represent diversity of race, colour, being Indigenous, places of origin, religions, immigrant and newcomer status, ethnic origins, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socioeconomic status, and age. Recognizing this, the College believes that the needs of the public and the profession are best served through the involvement of those who recognize, respect, and promote the values inherent in such diversity.
WHAT SHOULD MEMBERS BRING TO THE BOARD?
Board Directors are expected to have general skills or competencies in several areas, which assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities effectively.
The approved Board & Committee Competency and Suitability Profile outlines the competencies and attributes expected of Board Directors. It should be understood that candidates for Board election or appointment are not required to have all of these competencies beforehand. Instead, the Board should collectively demonstrate a diverse and complementary range of competencies that reflect and represent the public of Ontario.
WHAT ARE THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOARD DIRECTOR?
As outlined in College Policy I-16: Role and Responsibilities of Board of Directors, a Board Director is expected to:
- Regularly attend meetings and participate constructively in discussions and decisions;
- Participate in Board meetings and Committee work, including reading background materials and briefing documents in advance;
- Serve on the Discipline Committee and/or any other statutory or non-statutory committee and participate actively as appointed by the Executive Committee;
- Understand the requirements for conflict of interest and declare a conflict when appropriate;
- Help set the College’s direction by reviewing, discussing, and approving policies and by-laws (or any amendments) that guide how the College operates;
- Provide oversight to ensure that the College’s financial and operational resources are used responsibly and support the College’s mandate to protect the public.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED FOR ELECTION?
To be eligible to be nominated to serve on the College Board, By-law Section 20.20 requires:
(a) the registrant holds a certificate of registration authorizing autonomous practice, or an inactive certificate of registration.
(b) the registrant has their business address (if any) in Ontario or resides in Ontario;
(c) the registrant is not in default of payment of any fees prescribed in the fees By-law;
(d) the registrant’s certificate of registration has not been revoked or suspended in the six years preceding the date of election;
(e) the registrant’s certificate of registration has not been subject to a term, condition or limitation as a result of a disciplinary action within the last two years;
(f) the registrant is not in default of any obligation to the College under a regulation, including the Quality Assurance Regulation, By-law, Specified Continuing Educational or Remediation Program (SCERP) or Undertaking;
(g) the registrant is not and has not been within one year before the date of the election, a director, officer, board, committee, or staff of any professional association involved in the advocacy for the professions;
(h) the registrant does not hold, and has not held, within one year before the date of the election, a position which would cause the registrant, if elected to the Board, to have a conflict of interest by virtue of having competing fiduciary obligations to both the College and another organization;
(i) the registrant has not been an employee of the College (whether on contract or permanent, on a full-time or part-time basis for at least one year preceding the election;
(j) the registrant is not a member of the Board or of a committee of any other College regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991; and,
(k) the registrant is not a member of the Board or of a committee of any other College in another jurisdiction;
(l) prior to the registrant submitting a nomination form and nomination statement for the election, the registrant has completed any orientation program specified by the College relating to the business and governance of the College and the duties, obligations and expectations of the Board and committee members.
Orientation Program
Prior to submitting your Election Application Form, candidate must complete an on-line Board Orientation Program which discusses the role and governance of the College and the duties, obligations and expectations of Board Directors. Upon completing the orientation, candidates will be required to submit a declaration attesting to the completion of the module.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION?
A Registrant who, 15 days before the date of an election, holds a certificate authorizing autonomous, interim autonomous or supervised practice, or an academic, inactive or retired certificate of registration, is eligible to vote.
A Registrant may vote for as many Directors in an election as there are Director seats open for election to the Board.
VOTING PROCEDURES
All eligible voters will receive a link to the secure voting site no later than 15 days before the election. The site will host the final list of candidates and their Candidate Statement/Biography.
(1) The Directors elected to the Board shall be the ones with the most votes received, so long as the Board retains the minimum amount of psychology and ABA Directors, as required by the Act.
(2) For greater clarity, the candidate(s) with the most votes received may not automatically be elected to the Board. The candidates who receive the most votes who also fulfil the Act’s Board complement requirements shall be the ones elected to the Board.
HOW LONG IS THE TERM OF OFFICE?
The term of office for elected members is three years. The first Board meeting of the new term will take place on June 2026. New Board Directors are expected to attend an orientation session preceding the June 2026 meeting.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Board meetings are held at least quarterly; June, September, December, and March usually on a Friday. When the Board of Directors meet in person, meetings take place at the College office in Toronto. Materials are provided to Board Directors at least a week in advance of the meeting to allow sufficient time for review in preparing for the meeting.
Currently, Board meetings are held in-person twice a year (March and September). All committee meetings are being held by videoconference. Should the committees return to in-person meetings, these would be held at the College offices in Toronto. Arrangements may be made for members who do not wish to travel to attend by videoconference.
In addition to serving on the College Board, Directors may be appointed to serve on committees. The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, requires the College to have seven statutory committees: Executive; Registration; Inquiries, Complaints and Reports; Discipline; Fitness to Practice; Quality Assurance; and Client Relations. In addition, the College has three non-statutory committees: Finance and Audit, Governance and Nominations Committee and Jurisprudence and Ethics Examination. The Executive Committee is elected from the Board of Directors. The remaining Committees are comprised of professional and public Directors and registrants who are not Board Directors.
Committees meet on weekdays during regular business hours. All meetings are scheduled in advance through consultation with committee members regarding their availability. In addition to attendance at meetings, Committee members are required to prepare for each meeting by reviewing a meeting package and any other related materials provided in advance of the meeting. Adequate preparation is critical to allow members to participate and contribute fully to discussions and to develop informed opinions in rendering decisions. The number of committee and panel meetings held per year varies depending on the committee. Below is a brief description of each committee’s role and an estimate of the time commitment required. The availability of a computer/laptop is necessary as meeting documents are provided electronically. Board Directors generally serve on at least two committees and may be appointed to act as a Committee Chair.
Committee Descriptions
Registration Committee
Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee
Discipline Committee
Fitness to Practice Committee
Quality Assurance Committee
Client Relations Committee
ARE BOARD DIRECTORS COMPENSATED?
Board Directors and Committee members are volunteers although their contribution is recognized through a per-diem for meeting attendance and some meeting preparation. Board Directors and Committee members are reimbursed for expenses such as travel, meals and accommodation, should this be necessary. A copy of the College’s Per Diem and Expense Claim policies are available upon request.
HOW DO I RUN FOR THE BOARD?
If you meet the eligibility criteria above and would like to be nominated for election to serve on the Board for the 2026-2029 term you must:
- Complete the Board Orientation Module
- Submit the Completion Declaration Form (available at the end of the module)
- Download the Application Form
- Submit your application
Nominations must be received by 5PM on January 30, 2026
ELECTION KEY DATES
| December 19, 2026 | Application opens, eligibility and competency profile released |
| January 30, 2026 | Application deadline |
| February 2026 | GNC reviews applications and confirms slate of candidates |
| March 16-31, 2026 | Voting Period |
| April 2026 | Announcement of successful candidates |
| June 2026 | First Board meeting |
OTHER INFORMATION
To further your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Board Director and the work of the College, please review the following documents:
- Code of Conduct for Board and Committee Members
- College By-laws
- College Performance Management Framework Report 2024
- Strategic Direction
If you have any questions about the election process, please contact cpbao@cpbao.ca