Objective: PSYCHOLOGIST REGULATIONS The is seeking feedback from professionals and the public on the proposed key elements that will comprise the new Regulations. All feedback is welcome and may be submitted by: Wednesday, September 30 st, 2015. Attn: Comments on Proposed Regulations Policy, Legislation and Communications Government of the Northwest Territories PO Box 1320 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9 Email: psychregs@gov.nt.ca Fax: 1- (867) 873-0204 Proposed Regulations The Department is proposing to regulate s in the categories established by the current s Act: o ; and o Intern. Nine provinces in Canada have legislation regulating the 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 Regulations. The key elements in the table are based on the s Act and regulation of s in other jurisdictions and initial consultation with representatives in 2011. The Department welcomes all comments and suggestions on the proposed key elements. The Regulations will be drafted by the end of 2015. August 2015 Page 1 of 12
KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Categories of Registration / Licences Licensing categories are required in order to distinguish the different levels of s, based on training, education and abilities. Two different categories of registration and licensure for s: 1. Intern Register 2. s Register A 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 s Act. People entitled to provide services as a under a temporary license, for example on a locum basis, may also be registered on the s Register. They will be registered as s 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 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 s to both employers and the public. The following titles are proposed to be protected: I. II. Registered III. Intern IV. R. Psych;or V. Registered Doctoral and intern psychologist are protected in the s Act. Psychotherapist and psychoanalyst were protected in the s 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 means an individual who has satisfied the registration requirements for and is licensed under the Act as an Intern. 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 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 of that profession. A scope of defines the range of services provided by a profession. The scope of is not exclusive. Some of the s are shared between professions, such as counselling. August 2015 Page 2 of 12
KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION involve the administration and interpretation of tests relating to mental abilities and aptitudes, personality and psychophysiological characteristics. means an individual who has satisfied the registration requirements for and is licensed under the Act as a. 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 of that profession. Registration Committee The committee for evaluating applications for registration and licensing of s. 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. 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. Also appointed: An alternate registered psychologist An alternate member of the public Eligibility Requirements Eligibility requirements establish the minimum prerequisites for registration as a. 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 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 August 2015 Page 3 of 12
KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION complete 1600 hours of 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 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 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 ; 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 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 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, August 2015 Page 4 of 12
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. iii. iv. 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; Proof he or she is authorized to work in Canada; 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 s in the NWT will be grandfathered under the eligibility s and Intern s who hold a current license when the regulations come into force under the s 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, completing additional supervised or having a doctoral degree. August 2015 Page 5 of 12
KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION requirements. Licence Expiry Licenses will expire on the same date every year and will require renewal. This will ensure s are meeting the established renewal requirements and maintaining a standard level of competence in their profession. 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 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 as an during those four months). Renewal Requirements Renewal requirements establish the prerequisites that are necessary in order to renew a licence. Renewal requirements ensure s maintain a standard level of competence in the profession. In order to be eligible for a license renewal as a, 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 s maintain a standard level of competence. s will be required to fulfill 40 hours of continuing competency activities per year for their license renewal. s 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. August 2015 Page 6 of 12
KEY ELEMENT PURPOSE PROPOSAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The initial registration and licensing fee for s is $200.00 These are the same fees as currently for registration and licensing under the s Act. Fees The annual licensing renewal fee for s is $100.00 The licensing fee for Intern s is $50.00. The Intern fee is valid for one year from the date the license is issued. 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). Code of Ethics A Code of Ethics provides guidance and assists s in meeting their professional obligations and in serving the public. All Interns and s are governed by the Code of Ethics. The Canadian Psychological Association s Code of Ethics for s 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 establish the service expectations of a profession. Standards of establish the minimum standards of professional behaviour and provision of services. The College of Alberta s 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. August 2015 Page 7 of 12
APPENDIX A PSYCHOLOGIST EQUIVALENCY CHART As of August 18, 2015 (Reference Only) Province or Territory British Columbia Registration Categories Registered Temporary (Supervised) Associate (Corrections) Requirements for license Doctorate jurisprudence Completed pre-doctoral internship Doctorate Completed pre-doctoral internship but have not completed jurisprudence Alberta Either doctorate or masters jurisprudence 1600 hours of supervised Saskatchewan Provisional Registered Doctoral Registered Doctoral (Provisional) Registered Registered (Provisional) Either degree but have not completed supervised or Doctorate Pass EPPP and oral 1500 hours of supervised Doctorate but have not met other requirements of Registered Doctoral category Pass EPPP and oral 1500 hours of supervised but have not met other requirements of Registered category Manitoba Doctorate jurisprudence Two years supervised Associate (Supervised Practice) Associate (Independent Practice) Pass EPPP Two years supervised jurisprudence Four years supervised Recommended Registration Category in NWT Intern Intern Intern (if supervised requirements have been met, but the applicant has not yet completed the EPPP) Intern (if supervised requirements have been met, but the applicant has not yet completed the EPPP) Intern August 2015 Page 8 of 12
Ontario : Autonomous Practice Psychological Associate: Autonomous Practice : Supervised Practice Associate: Supervised Practice : Interim Autonomous Practice Associate: Interim Autonomous Practice Doctorate jurisprudence 1500 hours supervised as Supervised Practice; and 1500 hours postdoctoral supervised jurisprudence 1500 hours supervised as Supervised Practice; and 6000 hours postmasters supervised Doctorate but not yet completed supervised or for Autonomous Practice category but not yet completed requirements for Associate Autonomous Practice category Doctorate Good standing in another jurisdiction in category equivalent to Autonomous Practice Good standing in another jurisdiction in category equivalent to Associate Autonomous Practice Intern Intern August 2015 Page 9 of 12
Quebec Doctorate 2300 hours supervised New Brunswick Either doctorate or masters degree 1600 hours postdoctoral supervised or 4800 hours post-masters supervised Pass EPPP and oral Nova Scotia Either doctorate or masters degree Two years postdoctoral supervised or four years post-masters supervised Pass EPPP and oral Prince Edward Island Candidate Psychological Associate Psychological Associate Candidate Doctorate Pass EPPP and oral 1700 hours supervised Doctorate but not yet completed requirements for category Pass EPPP and oral 3400 hours supervised but not yet completed requirements for Psychological Associate category Newfoundland Either doctorate or masters degree Pass EPPP One year post-doctoral or two years postmasters supervised (Provisional Registration) Either doctorate or masters degree but not yet completed requirements for category Intern Intern Intern In Quebec a registered must have a doctoral degree and have 2,300 hours of supervised, 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 s 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 of that profession without any requirement for additional examinations. August 2015 Page 10 of 12
APPENDIX B CONTINUING COMPETENCE ACTIVITIES (Reference Only) FORMAL ACTIVITIES Activity Description Recording Requirement University or College Courses Conferences Workshops Seminars Certificate Programs Organized Discussion Groups Teaching & Preparing Registration and completion of sessions designed to increase knowledge or skill in an area directly related psychology. Credit or Non-credit. Events of 1-5 days with different presenters that explore common themes relating to the psychology profession or that are relevant to the of psychology in the NWT. 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. Group activities with a specific learning goal. May be of a formal or informal nature. A series or sequence of courses/workshops relating to psychology that, upon completion, lead to a certificate. 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. Registrants may claim time spent preparing for the teaching or facilitating of courses, conferences, workshops, seminars, discussion groups or certificate programs relating to psychology. Course name and/or course description and document showing successful completion of course. Conference title and date(s) attended. Title and date of workshop. Title, date and length of the seminar. Course name and/or course description and date completed and copy of certificate. Summary of topics discussed, dates and length of time of Discussion Group(s). Title or description of course taught, dates and length of time teaching. INFORMAL ACTIVITIES Activity Description Recording Requirement Self-Directed Learning Research, Writing, Presentations, 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.). May include activities through which the member increases knowledge through developing a presentation or article, or conducts research related to 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. Title and/or description of the research, article or presentation and/or August 2015 Page 11 of 12
Preparation of Article psychology. date of presentation or publication and the length of time developing the material. Mentoring Committee Work and Board Meetings Educating Others about Psychology Supervising Intern s Cross-Cultural Training for s Northern Aboriginal Traditions & Culture Training Formalized teaching or the offering of guidance to another member who is less experienced in order to gain or develop skills and knowledge. Participation in community committees or board meetings associated with psychology (e.g.: health awareness, disease prevention, elder care, etc.). May include time spent organizing and delivering information sessions regarding their work or the work of psychologists. May include time spent in direct one-to-one supervision of any Intern s who are completing their supervised hours requirement. Training to enhance awareness when working in a cross-cultural environment. Training to increase knowledge respecting northern Aboriginal cultures and traditions. Description of mentoring process, name of mentee and the length of time mentoring mentee. Name of the committee or board and date(s) and length of meeting(s). Description of, dates and length of sessions provided. Name of student supervised and date and length of time of supervision provided. Title and/or description and date and length of time of training. Title and/or description, length of time of and date of training. August 2015 Page 12 of 12