To practise psychology in Ontario, an individual must hold a current certificate of registration from the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario; the regulatory body for the professions of psychology and applied behaviour analysis. Under the authority of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021, the College registers three classes of autonomous practitioners as regulated health professionals in Ontario: Psychologists, Psychological Associates and Behaviour Analysts.
A psychologist or psychological associate who holds a certificate of registration authorizing autonomous practice may provide services without supervision, within his or her area of competence, and may bill for services for which they are qualified. While most members of the College have no explicit term, condition or limitation on their certificates of registration, some do and must practice in accordance with any such restriction.
Once registered, a member of the College is expected to practise in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, standards of conduct, professional guidelines and professional codes of ethics.
Only a member of the College may offer psychological or behaviour analytic services in the province or use the title Psychologist, Psychological Associate or Behaviour Analyst. In addition, use of the terms psychology or psychological, or any abbreviations or variations of these terms and titles in describing services, is restricted to members of the College. Psychologists and Psychological Associates respectively may also identify themselves with the designation C.Psych. or C.Psych.Assoc. after their names. Behaviour Analysts may identify themselves with R.B.A. (Ont.).
The College maintains a register of all current members. Information about an individual psychologist, psychological associate or Behaviour Analyst may be found in the searchable Public Register or obtained from the College by telephone 416-961-8817 or by e-mail: cpbao@cpbao.ca
Questions regarding psychologists and psychological associates or other matters related to the regulation and practice of psychology in Ontario may be directed to the College.