Internationally educated applicants for licensure as a psychologist in participating Canadian jurisdictions must complete a three-step process:
- Complete the ICD credentials evaluation process that results in a report.
- Request that ICD send your report to the participating Canadian jurisdiction where you would like to be registered as a psychologist.
- Apply to that Canadian jurisdiction.
Each participating jurisdiction has specific application requirements for internationally educated applicants. See below for an overview of application requirements in each jurisdiction.
Saskatchewan College of Psychologists
The current minimum entry standard for registration or licensure as a internationally educated psychologist in Saskatchewan is a master’s degree in psychology that has been evaluated and found equivalent to a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology granted by a recognized Canadian or USA institution. See the SKCP website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in Saskatchewan. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate their degree and training meet these standards.
In some instances, applicants who are found during an initial assessment by SKCP to have minor deficiencies in their foundational knowledge coursework may be able to obtain ad-hoc coursework or appropriate additional training or experience to compensate. However, applicants cannot make up for any gaps in their core competencies. SKCP does not recommend individuals seek to complete any additional coursework or training prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials, unless it is to enroll in a degree program that meets SKCP requirements.
Individuals who do not meet the requirements for registration as a psychologist in Saskatchewan may alternatively consider applying for registration with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers. Counselling is not a regulated profession in Saskatchewan.
Psychological Association of Manitoba
The current entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychologist in Manitoba is a doctoral degree (e.g. PhD) in psychology and two years of supervised practice. The entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychological associate (independent practice) is a master’s degree in psychology and four years of supervised practice. See the Psychological Association of Manitoba (PAM) website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in Manitoba. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate their degree and training meet these standards.
PAM only registers applicants whose coursework includes all of the requirements for licensure and does not allow applicants to make up for gaps in their coursework through taking courses from different universities or graduate programs. The only exception to this is for applicants who may be missing a specific course in ethics, where policy has been made permitting this to be taken post-convocation. PAM does not recommend individuals seek to complete any additional ethics coursework, or additional supervised experience, prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials, unless it is to enroll in a Canadian Psychological Association (or American Psychological Association) accredited program.
Individuals who do not meet the requirements for registration as a psychologist in Manitoba may alternatively consider applying for membership with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
The College of Psychologists of Ontario
The current entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychologist in Ontario is a doctoral degree (e.g. PhD) in psychology and entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychological associate (independent practice) is a master’s degree in psychology and four years of supervised experience. See The College of Psychologists of Ontario website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in Ontario. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate their degree and training meet these standards.
In some instances, applicants who are found during an initial assessment by the College to have minor deficiencies in their coursework may be able to obtain ad-hoc coursework at an Ontario University that meets the College’s specific requirements for instructor qualifications, course level, and program. Psychology training programs in Ontario, however, rarely offer clinical courses or internships outside of a fully integrated program of study. The College does not recommend individuals seek to complete any additional coursework or training prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials, unless it is to enroll in a Canadian Psychological Association (or American Psychological Association) accredited program.
Individuals who do not meet the requirements for registration as a psychologist in Ontario may alternatively consider applying for membership with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
College of Psychologists of New Brunswick
The current entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychologist in New Brunswick is a doctoral degree (e.g. PhD or PsyD) in psychology, including extensive supervised practice experience in the form of practica and a full-time 12-month internship. See the CPNB website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in New Brunswick. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate their degree and training meet these standards.
In some instances, applicants who are found during an initial assessment by CPNB to have minor deficiencies in their coursework or in their internship or research background may be able to obtain ad-hoc coursework or appropriate additional training or experience to compensate. These undertakings should only take place in consultation with CPNB to ensure they meet the College’s requirements for program, course levels, qualifications of instructors, and supervision standards. Psychology training programs in New Brunswick rarely offer clinical courses or internships outside of a fully integrated program of study. CPNB does not recommend individuals seek to complete any additional coursework or training prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials, unless it is to enroll in a Canadian Psychological Association (or American Psychological Association) accredited program.
Individuals who do not meet the requirements for registration as a psychologist in New Brunswick are encouraged to apply for registration with the College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick.
Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology
The minimum entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychologist in Nova Scotia (NS) is a graduate (master’s) degree in psychology. See the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in Nova Scotia. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate that their degree and training meet these standards.
In some instances, applicants who are found during an initial assessment by NSBEP to have minor deficiencies in their foundational knowledge coursework may be able to obtain ad hoc coursework. However, NSBEP recommends that individuals do not seek to complete any additional coursework prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials.
If an applicant holds a certificate of registration as a psychologist from another country, if the Board deems that registration to be at least equivalent to the standards required under Nova Scotia’s Psychologists Act, it may consider the applicant as a Transfer Applicant and waive examination requirements.
Applicants who are not eligible for licensure with NSBEP are encouraged to enquire about applying for licensure with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists.
Prince Edward Island Psychologists Registration Board
The current entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychologist in Prince Edward Island (PEI) is a doctoral degree (e.g. PhD) in psychology, including extensive supervised practice experience in the form of practica and a full-time 12-month internship. The entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychological associate is a master’s degree in psychology, including supervised practice experience in the form of practica and a full-time 6-month internship. See the PEI Psychologists Registration Board website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in PEI. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate their degree and training meet these standards.
In some instances, after an initial assessment by the PEI Psychologists Registration Board, internationally educated applicants may be permitted to take courses from an institution approved by the Board to fill gaps in their coursework competencies where such courses were not available or were not normally a requirement for practice as a psychologist in their country of study. In some instances, to make up some clinical hours that should have been completed during practicum or internship, the Board may approve an opportunity to complete the hours while on the Psychological Associate Candidate Registry or the Psychologist Candidate Registry. The PEI Psychologists Registration Board does not recommend individuals seek to complete any additional coursework or training prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials, unless it is to enroll in a Canadian Psychological Association (or American Psychological Association) accredited program.
Applicants who are unable to obtain licensure from the PEI Psychologists Registration Board may alternatively consider applying for registration with the College of Counselling Therapy Prince Edward Island or the PEI Social Work Registration Board.
Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board
The minimum entry standard for registration or licensure as a psychologist in Newfoundland and Labrador is a graduate (master’s) degree with a major in psychology. See the Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board website for a detailed description of the coursework and supervised practice experience requirements for registration in Newfoundland and Labrador. Internationally educated applicants are required to demonstrate their degree and training meet these standards.
All coursework and clinical training must be completed during the program of study leading to the graduate degree in psychology, and there is no means of making up for any deficiencies with the exception of the Canadian Psychological Association course in ethics. NLPB does not recommend individuals seek to complete any additional coursework or training prior to an evaluation of their existing credentials, unless it is to enroll in a Canadian Psychological Association (or American Psychological Association) accredited program.
Counselling is not currently a regulated profession in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Non-participating Canadian jurisdictions
Alberta, Northwest Territories (NWT), British Columbia, and Quebec are not participating in the process with CGFNS outlined at the top of this page for internationally educated applicants. To apply for licensure in those jurisdictions, contact the psychology regulators in each province/territory:
- Alberta and NWT: College of Alberta Psychologists
- British Columbia: College of Psychologists of British Columbia
- Quebec: Ordre des psychologues du Québec