Ontario’s regulator for psychologists is considering major changes to the profession’s entry requirements, sparking sharp criticism from Canada’s leading psychology associations, which warn the move could jeopardize public safety.
The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) voted on Friday to propose removing the four-year work experience requirement for those without a PhD, ending the oral exam, and recognizing degrees from countries beyond Canada and the United States, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. It also supported allowing unlimited attempts at licensing exams, including a revamped ethics test that would be offered as a no-fail, on-demand module.
The proposals come as the Ford government pushes for increased health-care capacity and easier labour mobility across provinces. CPBAO leaders said Ontario currently has some of the highest standards in the country, but added that other jurisdictions—including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the territories—do not require as much training.
Council president Ian Nicholson acknowledged that the changes could heighten risks, but argued they would also increase access to desperately needed mental health services. “Do I believe that these proposals will increase the risk to the public? Probably,” he told colleagues at the meeting. “Do I believe these proposals will increase access to services for the people of Ontario? Probably.”
Not all members agreed. Psychologist Jacob Kaiserman said he was deeply uneasy, warning that lowering standards because “the other guys are doing it” could backfire in the long term. “Twenty years from now we might get told, ‘Your quality of care is too low, and across Canada we need to increase standards,’” he cautioned.
The Health Ministry distanced itself from the proposal, with spokesperson Ema Popovic stressing that the government had no plans to alter the profession’s current standards. “This proposal was developed and put forward by the CPBAO. It is not the result of any government legislation,” she said in a statement.
Still, the regulator is under pressure. The Fairness Commissioner’s 2023–24 annual report flagged the CPBAO for insufficient capacity and challenges in addressing labour shortages. The college noted that “more streamlined registration” would be crucial to meeting government expectations.
But both the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) issued strong warnings. In a joint letter dated September 25, the organizations said lowering entry requirements “risks the quality of care provided to Ontarians” and “constitutes a serious threat to public safety.” Instead, they urged the college to improve pathways for already-licensed psychologists, expand interim practice opportunities for graduates, and adjust supervised practice requirements.
As the debate continues, the proposal will be flagged to Health Minister Sylvia Jones’ office and could be opened for public comment before implementation. For now, the future of psychologist training in Ontario hangs in the balance—caught between urgent demand for services and concerns about lowering the bar on professional standards.