Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Canada: 2025 Guide
TherapyRoute
Clinical Editorial
Cape Town, South Africa
❝In Canada, a psychologist licensed in Ontario and a psychologist licensed in British Columbia operate under entirely different rules, and knowing how to check the correct provincial college is the first step toward finding safe mental health care.❞
In Canada, the regulation of mental health professionals is managed at the provincial level, with rules varying by province and role. For example, in Ontario, psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers are all governed by separate, mandatory licensing colleges.
This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's credentials with the correct provincial body, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.
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ONTARIO - DETAILED REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
OTHER PROVINCES - SUMMARY FRAMEWORK
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Primary Federal Legislation: None - Health regulation is a provincial jurisdiction under the Constitution Act, 1867
Provincial Coordination: Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organisations (ACPRO)
- Website: https://acpro-aocrp.ca/
- Role: Coordinates between 11 provincial/territorial psychology regulatory bodies
- Note: ACPRO does not regulate directly - each province has independent licensing
ONTARIO - DETAILED REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
1. PSYCHOLOGY AND APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS
Regulatory Authority: College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)
- Website: https://cpbao.ca/
- Phone: 416.961.8817
- Governing Legislation: Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021
- Registrar: Dr. Tony DeBono
Professional Categories:
- Registered Psychologist: Doctoral degree required, independent practice
- Psychological Associate: Master's degree, supervised practice only
- Registered Behaviour Analyst: BCBA certification, autism/developmental services
Scope of Practice (Psychology):
- Assessment and diagnosis of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural disorders
- Treatment using psychological interventions
- Psychological testing and evaluation
- Consultation and supervision
- Research in psychology
Education Requirements:
- Psychologist: Doctoral degree (PhD/PsyD) from CPA-accredited program
- Psychological Associate: Master's degree in psychology
- Supervised Practice: 1,600 hours for psychologists, 1,000 hours for associates
- Examination: Provincial licensing examination required
2. PSYCHOTHERAPY
Regulatory Authority: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
- Website: https://crpo.ca/
- Phone: 647.725.2726
- Governing Legislation: Psychotherapy Act, 2007
Professional Categories:
- Registered Psychotherapist (RP): Independent practice
- Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (RP(Q)): Supervised practice
Scope of Practice:
- Assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural disturbances
- Psychotherapeutic interventions and techniques
- Individual, couple, family, and group therapy
- Crisis intervention and safety planning
Education Requirements:
- Master's degree in psychotherapy or related field from an approved program
- 450 hours direct client contact
- 100 hours clinical supervision
- CRPO Registration Examination
- Continuing Education: 40 hours every 2 years
3. SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORK
Regulatory Authority: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
- Website: https://www.ocswssw.org/
- Phone: 416.972.9882
- Governing Legislation: Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998
Professional Categories:
- Registered Social Worker (RSW): Bachelor's or Master's in Social Work
- Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW): Diploma or degree in social service work
Scope of Practice (Social Work):
SW1 – Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation within the client relationship
SW2 – Supervision and consultation with social workers and students
SW3 – Social support, including life skills, employment, and financial assistance
SW4 – Education of social work students and professionals
SW5 – Program development, management, administration, evaluation
SW6 – Community organising and mobilisation for social change
SW7 – Contractual consultation services
SW8 – Social policy development and evaluation
SW9 – Research related to social work practice
SW10 – Other activities approved by the College
Education Requirements:
- RSW: BSW (4 years, 700 practicum hours) or MSW (1-2 years, 450-900 practicum hours)
- RSSW: 2-year diploma or degree in social service work
- Continuing Education: Required for registration renewal
4. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
Regulatory Authority: Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT)
- Website: https://oamft.com/
- Status: Professional association (non-regulatory)
- Certification: AAMFT-approved supervisor training
5. ADDICTION COUNSELLING
Regulatory Authority: Addiction and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO)
- Website: https://amho.ca/
- Certification: Certified Addiction Counsellor (CAC)
- Status: Professional certification (non-regulatory)
OTHER PROVINCES - SUMMARY FRAMEWORK
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Psychology: College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC)
Social Work: BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW)
Counselling: BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) - voluntary registration
ALBERTA
Psychology: College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
Social Work: Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
Counselling: Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA) - voluntary
QUEBEC
Psychology: Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ)
Social Work: Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (OTSTCFQ)
Psychotherapy: Ordre des psychothérapeutes du Québec (OPPQ)
VERIFICATION PROCEDURES
- Visit provincial regulatory body website
- Use online register search function
- Verify current registration status and conditions
- Check for disciplinary actions or restrictions
- Confirm scope of practice authorisation
RED FLAGS FOR PUBLIC
- Practitioner not listed on regulatory body register
- Claims to be "registered" without specifying the regulatory body
- Offers services outside their scope of practice
- No clear complaint process available
- Refuses to provide registration number
COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
- Each regulatory college has formal complaint process
- Public can file complaints about professional misconduct
- Disciplinary actions are publicly reported
- Professional liability insurance required for all registrants
SOURCES AND VERIFICATION
Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organisations (ACPRO)
College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
College of Psychologists of British Columbia (CPBC)
BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW)
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
This guide reflects Canada's decentralised, province-based system for mental health professional regulation, established under the authority of the Constitution Act, 1867. For regulated professions like psychology, psychotherapy, and social work, the system requires mandatory registration with a specific provincial college for legal practice, each with strict enforcement and disciplinary authority. Verify current requirements with the appropriate provincial regulatory college for the specific profession for the most up-to-date information.
Important: TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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About The Author
TherapyRoute
Cape Town, South Africa
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