Resigning or Moving to an Inactive or Retired Certificate

Registrants who hold a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice, but intend to cease practicing on either a temporary or permanent basis have several options.

Inactive Certificate

Annual Fee for Psychologists and Psychological Associates: $298

Annual Fee for Behaviour Analysts: $238.50

This Certificate is intended for registrants who wish to temporarily cease offering psychological services, applied behaviour analysis services or supervising those who do. Registrants with an Inactive Certificate may return to autonomous practice within two years by paying the prorated fee for the year of return. After two years, the request is automatically referred to the Registration Committee.

Since it is anticipated that Inactive Certificate holders will return to Autonomous Practice, they must participate in the Quality Assurance Program by completing the Self-Assessment Guide and documenting their Continuing Professional Development.  If you have any questions on these programs for registrants with an Inactive Certificate, please contact our Practice Advisor/ Quality Assurance Coordinator at 416-961-8817 ext. 300 or email practiceadvice@cpbao.ca . 

6.1 (c)    any of the following applicable limitations must immediately follow a registrant’s title: “Supervised Practice”, “Retired” or “Inactive”.

As per the Standards of Professional Conduct, 2024, registrants with an Inactive Certificate may continue to use their professional title followed by the term “Inactive”:

It is suggested that registrants who move to an Inactive Certificate change to their College contact email if they will not be monitoring their work email.

The Change Request Form can be found by logging into your account and clicking on Certificate Change/Resignation in the left side menu.

More information on returning to autonomous practice can be found here.

Retired Certificate

Psychologists and Psychological Associates: $62.50

Behaviour Analysts: $50

This Certificate is intended for registrants who are retiring from practice but wish to maintain their registration and an affiliation with the profession(s). Registrants with this certificate may not offer services or supervise those who do. There is no Quality Assurance requirement.

As per the Standards of Professional Conduct, 2024, registrants with a retired certificate may continue to use their title, “Psychologist”, “Psychological Associate” and/or “Behaviour Analyst” followed by the term “Retired”:

6.1 (b)    any of the following applicable limitations must immediately follow a registrant’s title: “Supervised Practice”, “Retired” or “Inactive”.

Any request to return to Autonomous Practice is automatically referred to the Registration Committee.

NEW: Effective June 1, 2021, those who were previously authorized to practice psychology but now hold a retired Certificate are permitted to teach psychology classes, not to include supervision of student’s clinical work.

The Change Request Form can be found by logging into your account and clicking on Certificate Change/Resignation in the left side menu

Resignation

A registrant who resigns from the College may not offer psychological services, applied behaviour analysis services or supervise those who do. In addition, they may not use of title “Psychologist”, “Psychological Associate” and/or “Behaviour Analyst” and acknowledge the following:

1. As of the effective date, I will not be authorized to offer psychological services and/or applied behaviour analysis services, or supervise those who do in the province of Ontario, nor will I have access to:

  • the designation “C.Psych.”, “C.Psych.Assoc.”, or “R.B.A. (Ont.)”;
  • the title “Psychologist”, “Psychological Associate” or “Behaviour Analyst”; or
  • the terms “psychology” or “psychological”. (Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021)

2. the use of the title “doctor” or any variation in the course of providing or offering to provide health care to individuals. (RHPA s.33)

3. If I choose to return to the practice of psychology and/or applied behaviour analysis in Ontario in the future, I will have to meet the registration requirements in place at that time.

4. After I resign, I remain subject to the jurisdiction of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario for any breaches of professional conduct referable to the time I was a registrant of the College. (RHPA Sched.2, s.14)

The Resignation Form can be found by logging into your account and clicking on Certificate Change/Resignation in the left side menu

Please Note:

  • Registrants who wish to change their certificate are asked to complete and submit the request before renewing. The form must be received by the College in order for the desired certificate and the appropriate invoice to be updated on your account.
  • The date for a Certificate change may be made effective part way through the registration year and the fees will be prorated for the year.
  • A Certificate change cannot be done retroactively or back dated. The effective date cannot be prior to the day the Form is received by the College.