We are calling on the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) to halt proposed changes that would lower registration standards for psychologists and psychological associates in Ontario.

Under recently approved proposals, the CPBAO plans to:

• Remove the doctoral-level education requirement for psychologists,
• Shorten or eliminate the four-year supervised practice period for psychological associates, and
• Change or weaken accreditation standards for training programs

These changes may be intended to increase access and fairness, but they carry serious risks. They could compromise public safety, reduce the quality of mental health care, and erode trust in the title “psychologist.” These changes also risk making our profession indistinguishable from other therapy disciplines, undermining what sets us apart, and could hold us back from advancing standards of care, including the future possibility of prescription privileges.

Psychologists in Ontario are among the few professionals legally authorized to diagnose mental health conditions and provide high-quality assessments that require advanced training in diagnosis and psychometrics. The current doctoral-level requirement ensures they receive intensive, research-based clinical training that includes supervised practice, comprehensive exams, and formal internships. These standards protect the public and align with national and international best practices.

Psychological associates, who enter the profession with a master’s degree are required to complete four years of supervised practice before working independently. This ensures they develop the experience and skills necessary for safe, effective care that is comparable to their PhD-level counterparts. Removing this requirement will blur professional boundaries and may put clients at risk.

We fully support efforts to improve access to the profession, especially for internationally trained clinicians and those from historically marginalized communities. However, access should not come at the cost of professional competence, public safety, or the distinct expertise that defines the profession, particularly in an oversaturated mental health market where the public increasingly struggles to differentiate between provider types.

If Master’s-level clinicians from outside Ontario wish to practice here, there are already accessible pathways—such as registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)—that do not require lowering the standards for the psychologist title across the board. Proposing to dilute those standards instead is a short-sighted and dangerous solution that puts the entire profession in jeopardy.

Rather than making psychologists less distinguishable from other therapy disciplines, we should be doubling down on what sets us apart: advanced training in diagnosis, complex assessment, nuanced case conceptualization, and clinical supervision. There are better solutions, such as creating bridging programs, increasing accredited training spots, and expanding supervised practice pathways, that improve access without compromising professional integrity.

If these changes move forward, the public may no longer be able to trust that someone with the title “psychologist” meets high professional standards. This could also affect insurance coverage for mental health services, as many insurers require doctoral-level credentials for reimbursement.

We call on the CPBAO to:

1. Keep the doctoral requirement for psychologist registration
2. Maintain the four-year supervised practice requirement for psychological associates
3. Preserve current accreditation standards for training programs
4. Engage in meaningful, transparent consultation with key stakeholders, including the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) before making changes

Lowering the bar is not the answer. Ontario deserves a mental health system that expands access while protecting excellence, integrity, safety, and protects the future of our profession, rather than eroding it.

Please sign and share this petition to let CPBAO know that Ontarians care about maintaining high standards for mental health care.

Thank you for your support and solidarity.

This petition was created by Dr. Jenn Bossio, a Clinical and Health Psychologist, and Meghan Ford, a graduate student in Clinical Psychology. 

Please note we are not asking for donations. Any donations go directly to promoting the petition through the site. We don’t receive or control those funds, as they support the platform and help boost petition visibility.