KEY ELEMENTS PSYCHOLOGIST REGULATIONS

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Objective:

The Department of Health and Social Services is seeking feedback from professionals and the public on the proposed key elements that will comprise the new Psychologist Regulations.

All feedback is welcome and may be submitted by: Wednesday, September 30^st, 2015.

Attn: Comments on Proposed Psychologist Regulations Policy, Legislation and Communications

Department of Health and Social Services Government of the Northwest Territories

PO Box 1320 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9 Email: [email protected]

Fax: 1- (867) 873-0204

Proposed Psychologist Regulations

• The Department is proposing to regulate Psychologists in the categories established by the current Psychologists Act:

o Psychologist; and o Intern Psychologist.

• Nine provinces in Canada have legislation regulating the Psychologist profession (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).

• The following table includes the proposed provisions for the NWT’s Psychologist Regulations.

• The key elements in the table are based on the Psychologists Act and regulation of Psychologists in other jurisdictions and initial consultation with Psychologist

representatives in 2011.

• The Department welcomes all comments and suggestions on the proposed key elements.

• The Psychologist Regulations will be drafted by the end of 2015.

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KEY ELEMENTS

KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Categories of Registration /

Licences

Licensing categories are required in order to distinguish the different levels of Psychologists, based on training, education and abilities.

Two different categories of registration and licensure for Psychologists:

1. Intern Psychologist Register 2. Psychologists Register

A Psychologist can only be licensed in one of the two categories listed at any given time.

• The categories are based on the categories in the existing Psychologists Act.

• People entitled to provide services as a Psychologist under a temporary license, for example on a locum basis, may also be registered on the Psychologists Register. They will be registered as Psychologists but their license will have a shorter end date (unlike the other categories that are valid for a year).

• Professional titles and registration categories differ in many jurisdictions. As such, the Department has drafted a Psychologist Equivalency Chart (Appendix A).

• The Equivalency Chart will be used as a tool for the Registrar and will not form part of the Regulations.

Protected Titles

Title protection is required to help ensure only those who meet the established registration and licensing requirements present themselves as Psychologists to both employers and the public.

The following titles are proposed to be protected:

I. Psychologist

II. Registered Psychologist III. Intern Psychologist IV. R. Psych;or

V. Registered Doctoral Psychologist

• Psychologist and intern psychologist are protected in the Psychologists Act.

• Psychotherapist and psychoanalyst were protected in the Psychologists Act but are no longer protected in any other Canadian province or territory, so we propose to stop protecting these titles.

Definitions

Definitions are required in the Regulations to ensure consistent meaning of a term or title.

Definitions included in the HSSPA automatically apply to the Regulations (i.e.

no need to define a term twice).

Intern Psychologist means an individual who has satisfied the registration requirements for and is licensed under the Act as an Intern Psychologist.

• “Registered member” is defined under the HSSPA as ‘a person registered under subsection 11(4), in the register of a designated profession and licensed to engage in the practice of that profession’.

Practice of Psychology means the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of persons with mental, emotional, cognitive or behavioural difficulties in order to enhance their development and ameliorate their quality of life through interviewing, counselling, psychotherapy, behaviour therapy, behaviour modification, hypnosis or research and may

• A scope of practice defines the range of services provided by a profession.

• The scope of practice is not exclusive. Some of the practices are shared between professions, such as counselling.

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KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION involve the administration and interpretation of tests relating

to mental abilities and aptitudes, personality and psychophysiological characteristics.

Psychologist means an individual who has satisfied the registration requirements for and is licensed under the Act as a Psychologist.

• “Registered member” is defined under the HSSPA as ‘a person registered under subsection 11(4), in the register of a designated profession and licensed to engage in the practice of that profession’.

Registration Committee

The committee for evaluating applications for registration and licensing of Psychologists.

The committee would be composed of:

• The Registrar

• One registered psychologist

• One member of the public

Quorum of the Committee is obtained when the registered psychologist and one other member is present.

Also appointed:

• An alternate registered psychologist

• An alternate member of the public

• The proposed composition is in line with the requirements in section 51 of the HSSPA.

• The alternate members would only participate in the work of the Committee when the appointed registered psychologist or the member of the public is unable to attend.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements establish the minimum prerequisites for registration as a Psychologist.

Eligibility requirements ensure everyone with a license has the same basic knowledge of the profession.

INTERN PSYCHOLOGIST a) The applicant

i. must be registered or licensed or eligible to be registered or licensed, under a province or another territory as an intern psychologist; OR

ii. has completed a master’s or doctoral degree in Psychology from a Canadian university;

b) provides evidence of an supervision plan to

• Titles and registration categories for intern psychologists differ in many jurisdictions. As such, the Psychologist Equivalency Chart that is a tool to determine which categories may be equivalent (Appendix A).

• The eligibility requirements are in addition to those already required under the HSSPA (see section 11(2) of the Act for details, such as proof of identity and evidence of good character).

• Those applicants with educational degrees from a non- Canadian university will need documentation from a Canadian university that the degree(s) are equivalent in content to a

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KEY ELEMENTS

complete 1600 hours of practice while an intern with the agreement of a supervising psychologist who is on the psychologist register;

c) His/her entitlement to be licensed as a psychologist has not been suspended or revoked for disciplinary reasons relating to professional misconduct under an Act of a province, territory, or jurisdiction, unless his/her entitlement has been reinstated in that jurisdiction;

d) Proof he or she is authorized to work in Canada;

e) Proof of a criminal record check that is completed within the six months immediately preceding the date the application was submitted; and

f) Proof of professional liability insurance, issued by a company licensed to carry on business in Canada.

degree in psychology received at a Canadian university.

• An individual can demonstrate they are ‘eligible to be licensed and to practice’ in another jurisdiction by providing, for example, a letter from that province stating they meet the requirements for registration.

• The Regulations will continue to allow those with master’s degrees to practice in the NWT.

PSYCHOLOGIST a) The applicant

i. is registered or licensed, or eligible to be registered or licensed, under a province or territory as a psychologist; OR

ii. Has met all the requirements for an Intern Psychologist;

b) Has successfully completed and passed the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) with a score satisfactory to the Registrar;

c) Has successfully completed the required 1600 hours of supervised practice in accordance with the supervision plan or otherwise approved by the

• The eligibility requirements are in addition to those already required under the HSSPA (see section 11(2) of the Act for details, such as proof of identity and evidence of good character).

• An individual can demonstrate they are ‘eligible to be licensed and to practice’ in another jurisdiction by providing, for example, a letter from that province stating they meet the requirements for registration.

• Those applicants with educational degrees from a non- Canadian university will need documentation from a Canadian university that the degree(s) are equivalent in content to a degree in psychology received at a Canadian university.

• The jurisprudence exam would test knowledge of NWT laws and ethics applying to psychologists, for example HSSPA,

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KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Minister;

d) Has successfully passed the oral exam;

e) Has successfully passed the jurisprudence exam;

f) provides evidence that:

i. His/her entitlement to be licensed as an intern psychologist has not been suspended or revoked for disciplinary reasons relating to professional misconduct under an Act of a province, territory or jurisdiction, unless his/her entitlement has been reinstated in that jurisdiction;

ii. is satisfactory to the Committee of the applicants good character in the form of three letters of reference with two being from psychologists on the psychologist register;

iii. Proof he or she is authorized to work in Canada;

iv. Proof of a criminal record check that is completed within the six months immediately preceding the date the application was submitted;

v. Proof of professional liability insurance, issued by a company licensed to carry on business in Canada.

mental health laws, and the Code of Ethics.

Grandfathering The Department is proposing that all individuals currently working as Psychologists in the NWT will be

‘grandfathered’ under the eligibility

Psychologists and Intern Psychologists who hold a current license when the regulations come into force under the Psychologists Act will continue to be registered as psychologists and intern psychologists.

• The current psychologists and intern psychologists will be exempt from having to complete the EPPP and exams, completing additional supervised practice or having a doctoral degree.

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KEY ELEMENTS

requirements.

Licence Expiry Licenses will expire on the same date every year and will require renewal. This will ensure Psychologists are meeting the established renewal requirements and maintaining a standard level of competence in their profession.

Psychologist licenses expire on and must be renewed by March 31^st.

• Under the HSSPA, a professional can renew their license for 6 months after expiry, after which s/he must apply for a new license (i.e. as if applying for registration/license for the first time).

• Note: a Psychologist can only provide services with a valid license (i.e. if the license expires and is not renewed for four months, then he or she cannot practice as an Psychologist during those four months).

Renewal Requirements

Renewal requirements establish the prerequisites that are necessary in order to renew a Psychologist licence.

Renewal requirements ensure Psychologists maintain a standard level of competence in the profession.

In order to be eligible for a license renewal as a Psychologist, the following must be provided:

a) Proof in a statutory declaration of completion of the continuing competency requirements.

• These are in addition to the requirements already in the HSSPA (see section 14 of the Act for details).

Continuing Competency

Continuing competency requirements help ensure Psychologists maintain a standard level of competence.

Psychologists will be required to fulfill 40 hours of continuing competency activities per year for their license renewal.

Psychologists may ‘bank’ up to 40 additional hours (to a maximum of 80 total hours in that year). Banked hours must be used up within two (2) calendar years.

• Types of continuing competence activities are listed in Appendix B.

• Upon renewal, applicants will be required to sign a statutory declaration stating that they have completed the continuing competency requirements. If, at the time of license renewal, a registrant has not been on the register for a full year, the Registrar will have discretion to waive the requirements.

• Registrants will be required to keep a log book noting their completion of continuing competency requirements.

Registrants may be asked to submit their log sheets from time to time.

• A registrant can be audited on their continuing competency requirements at any time.

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Fees

The initial registration and licensing fee for Psychologists is

$200.00

The annual licensing renewal fee for Psychologists is

$100.00

The licensing fee for Intern Psychologists is $50.00.

The late fee for license renewal is $100. The late fee for license renewal is in addition to the annual licensing fee (i.e.

must pay both).

• These are the same fees as currently for registration and licensing under the Psychologists Act.

• The Intern Psychologist fee is valid for one year from the date the license is issued.

Code of Ethics

A Code of Ethics provides guidance and assists Psychologists in meeting their professional obligations and in serving the public.

All Interns and Psychologists are governed by the Code of Ethics.

The Canadian Psychological Association’s Code of Ethics for Psychologists will be adopted, as it is amended from time to time.

• A breach of the Code of Ethics is one example of unprofessional conduct, as defined under the HSSPA.

• The Canadian Psychological Association is amending its Code, the fourth edition, if accepted, will be the one adopted.

Any subsequent editions will be automatically adopted.

Standards of Practice

Standards of practice establish the service expectations of a profession.

Standards of practice establish the minimum standards of professional behaviour and provision of services.

The College of Alberta Psychologists’ Standards of Practice, as it is amended from time to time, will be adopted.

• Failure to comply with Standards of Practice may constitute as

‘unprofessional conduct’ as defined under the Health and Social Services Professions Act.

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APPENDIX A

PSYCHOLOGIST EQUIVALENCY CHART As of August 18, 2015

(Reference Only)

Province or Territory

Psychologist Registration

Categories

Requirements for license

Recommended Registration Category in

NWT British Columbia Registered

Psychologist

• Doctorate

• Pass EPPP, oral and jurisprudence exams

• Completed pre-doctoral internship

Psychologist

Temporary (Supervised)

• Doctorate

• Completed pre-doctoral internship but have not completed exams

Intern Psychologist

Associate Psychologist (Corrections)

• Masters’ degree

Psychologist

Alberta Psychologist • Either doctorate or masters’

• 1600 hours of supervised practice

Psychologist

Provisional Psychologist

• Either degree but have not completed

supervised practice or exams

Intern Psychologist

Saskatchewan Registered Doctoral Psychologist

• Doctorate

• Pass EPPP and oral exams

Psychologist

Registered Doctoral Psychologist (Provisional)

• Doctorate but have not met other requirements of Registered Doctoral Psychologist category

Intern Psychologist (if supervised practice requirements have been met, but the applicant has not yet completed the EPPP) Registered

Psychologist

Registered Psychologist (Provisional)

• Masters’ degree but have not met other requirements of Registered

Psychologist category

Intern Psychologist (if supervised practice requirements have been met, but the applicant has not yet completed the EPPP) Manitoba Psychologist • Doctorate

• Two years supervised practice

Psychologist

Psychologist Associate (Supervised Practice)

• Pass EPPP

• Two years supervised practice

Intern Psychologist

Psychologist Associate (Independent Practice)

• Four years supervised practice

Psychologist

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• 1500 hours supervised practice as

Psychologist

Supervised Practice;

and

• 1500 hours post- doctoral supervised practice

Psychological Associate:

Autonomous Practice

• 1500 hours supervised practice as

Psychologist

Supervised Practice;

and

• 6000 hours post- masters’ supervised practice

Psychologist

Psychologist:

Supervised Practice

• Doctorate but not yet completed supervised practice or exams for Psychologist

Autonomous Practice category

Intern Psychologist

Psychologist Associate:

Supervised Practice

• Masters’ degree but not yet completed

requirements for Psychologist Associate Autonomous Practice category

Intern Psychologist

Psychologist: Interim Autonomous

Practice

• Doctorate

• Good standing in another jurisdiction in category equivalent to Psychologist

Autonomous Practice

Psychologist

Psychologist Associate: Interim Autonomous Practice

• Good standing in another jurisdiction in category equivalent to Psychologist Associate Autonomous Practice

Psychologist

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Quebec Psychologist • Doctorate

• 2300 hours supervised practice

Psychologist^∗

New Brunswick Psychologist • Either doctorate or masters’ degree

• 1600 hours post- doctoral supervised practice or 4800 hours post-masters’

supervised practice

Psychologist

Nova Scotia Psychologist • Either doctorate or masters’ degree

• Two years post- doctoral supervised practice or four years post-masters’

supervised practice

Psychologist

Prince Edward Island

Psychologist • Doctorate

Psychologist

Psychologist Candidate

• Doctorate but not yet completed

requirements for Psychologist category

Intern Psychologist

Psychological Associate

Psychologist

Psychological Associate Candidate

• Masters’ degree but not yet completed

requirements for Psychological Associate category

Intern Psychologist

Newfoundland Psychologist • Either doctorate or masters’ degree

• Pass EPPP

• One year post-doctoral or two years post- masters’ supervised practice

Psychologist

Psychologist (Provisional Registration)

• Either doctorate or masters’ degree but not yet completed

requirements for Psychologist category

Intern Psychologist

∗ In Quebec a registered Psychologist must have a doctoral degree and have 2,300 hours of supervised practice, but there is no requirement to have completed the EPPP examination. While this would make applicants who are registered in Quebec eligible to be registered only as Intern Psychologists in the NWT, the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) precludes this. AIT provides that a professional registered by a regulatory body in one Province shall, upon application, be registered by another province that regulates the practice of that profession without any requirement for additional examinations.

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(Reference Only)

FORMAL ACTIVITIES

Activity Description Recording

Requirement University or College

Courses

Registration and completion of sessions designed to increase knowledge or skill in an area directly related psychology. Credit or Non-credit.

Course name and/or course description and document showing successful completion of course.

Conferences Events of 1-5 days with different presenters that explore common themes relating to the psychology profession or that are relevant to the practice of psychology in the NWT.

Conference title and date(s) attended.

Workshops Events of 1 day or more where a common theme is presented in relation to psychology in the NWT. Focus may be on increasing skills in a specific area of

psychology practice.

Title and date of workshop.

Seminars Group activities with a specific learning goal. May be of a formal or informal nature.

Title, date and length of the seminar.

Certificate Programs A series or sequence of courses/workshops relating to psychology that, upon completion, lead to a certificate.

Course name and/or course description and date completed and copy of certificate.

Organized

Discussion Groups

Registrants may wish to organize their own discussion group or seminars by selecting an issue or subject or by discussing an article/research in the field of psychology.

Summary of topics discussed, dates and length of time of Discussion Group(s).

Teaching &

Preparing

Registrants may claim time spent preparing for the teaching or facilitating of courses, conferences, workshops, seminars, discussion groups or certificate programs relating to psychology.

Title or description of course taught, dates and length of time teaching.

INFORMAL ACTIVITIES

Activity Description Recording

Requirement Self-Directed

Learning

May include activities such as reading journals, books, or internet articles or websites relevant to the field of psychology; using formalized instructional packages (reading, audio, video, iTunes U, etc.).

The title and/or author of the journal or book, the name of the website, name of the video or iTunes U lecture/ discussion, the date the material was read and/or accessed and the length of time reading/accessing the material.

Research, Writing, Presentations,

May include activities through which the member increases knowledge through developing a

presentation or article, or conducts research related to

Title and/or description of the research, article or presentation and/or

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Preparation of Article psychology. date of presentation or publication and the length of time

developing the material.

Mentoring Formalized teaching or the offering of guidance to another member who is less experienced in order to gain or develop skills and knowledge.

Description of mentoring process, name of mentee and the length of time mentoring mentee.

Committee Work and Board Meetings

Participation in community committees or board meetings associated with psychology (e.g.: health awareness, disease prevention, elder care, etc.).

Name of the committee or board and date(s) and length of meeting(s).

Educating Others about Psychology

May include time spent organizing and delivering information sessions regarding their work or the work of psychologists.

Description of, dates and length of sessions provided.

Supervising Intern Psychologists

May include time spent in direct one-to-one supervision of any Intern Psychologists who are completing their supervised practice hours requirement.

Name of student supervised and date and length of time of supervision provided.

Cross-Cultural Training for Psychologists

Training to enhance awareness when working in a cross-cultural environment.

Title and/or description and date and length of time of training.

Northern Aboriginal Traditions & Culture Training

Training to increase knowledge respecting northern Aboriginal cultures and traditions.

Title and/or description, length of time of and date of training.