Expanding Access to Mental Health Care: Registration Modernization
The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) is consulting on proposed updates to the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 and Registration Regulation 193/23 to modernize registration pathways, titles, assessment requirements, and supervised training. The consultation is open until December 9, 2025.
View the consultation materials on the CPBAO website
📥 Download the OAMHP Submission
Download the Member Toolkit (PDF)
The CPBAO is proposing updates that would modernize registration, clarify titles, and streamline assessments and supervision for psychologists in Ontario. These changes aim to improve clarity, fairness, and access to mental health care across the province.
OAMHP supports the direction of this modernization and encourages members, stakeholders and the public to review the proposals and submit feedback to CPBAO. Your informed voice strengthens the profession.
Have Your Say Before December 9
Submitting a comment takes only a few minutes, and you may use the template provided in our Member Toolkit below.
Quick Context
OAMHP has long supported the full recognition of master’s-trained psychologists (currently titled Psychological Associates) and their essential role in Ontario’s mental health system. The proposed modernization updates address long-standing barriers, reduce public confusion, and align Ontario with other provinces while maintaining rigorous standards.
These updates would:
-
enable more qualified psychologists—including those licensed in other jurisdictions—to practise in Ontario
-
improve access to timely mental health care
-
enhance fairness and strengthen labour mobility
-
uphold rigorous public safety and professional standards
-
modernize assessments and supervision to reflect current best practices
For years, OAMHP has advocated for fair, evidence-based regulation that supports access to care and reflects the realities of today’s workforce. These proposals are an important step toward that direction.
For more information:
September 29 2025 - Open Letter to CPBAO (pdf)
October 22 2025 - Media Release (pdf)
November 20 2025 - Media release (pdf)
November 21 2025 - Member Toolkit (pdf)
November 28 2025 - OAMHP Submission (pdf)
Key Facts
Same Scope of Practice: Under the Psychology Act, 1991, both Psychologists (PhD) and Psychological Associates (MA + supervised practice) share the exact same legislated scope, including the authority to diagnose.
→ 2002 CPO Bulletin
Proposed Updates:
- Move from rigid hour-based supervised practice to a competency-based model
- Replace the oral exam with more reliable, standardized assessments
- Allow CPBAO to evaluate Canadian master’s programs directly
- Integrate master’s-trained clinicians under the title “psychologist”
Why update?
To improve fairness, transparency, and labour mobility while keeping standards strong.
Why Modernization Matters
- Reduces confusion
- Aligns Ontario with other provinces
- Supports labour mobility
- Helps address provider shortages
- Maintains strong public protection standards
Government Direction: Ontario’s Fairness Commissioner, as well as the federal One Canadian Economy initiative, encourage regulators to remove unnecessary barriers and improve mobility across Canada.
→ Fair Registration Practices Report 2024
Public Interest: Ontario faces a serious shortage of psychologists. Modernizing registration pathways is about removing barriers, not lowering standards, so more Ontarians can access timely care.
Backgrounder: Registration Modernization
OAMHP Statement on the Modernization of the Psychology Profession in Ontario
July 2025
The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) supports the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) in its ongoing work to modernize registration pathways for psychologists and psychological associates.
For many years, both the Government of Ontario and the Office of the Fairness Commissioner have emphasized the importance of reducing unnecessary barriers and ensuring fairness in access to regulated professions. CPBAO’s current initiatives are an important step in fulfilling this long-standing direction and in addressing Ontario’s urgent need for more qualified psychologists.
In recent years, Ontario has seen significant progress in individuals seeking and finding appropriate mental health supports. To sustain and build on this momentum, professions and their regulatory bodies must continue to evolve — ensuring access, adequate and appropriate regulation, and safe practice that supports positive outcomes for the wellbeing of Ontarians.
Psychological Associates and Psychologists in Ontario share the same legislated scope of practice, including the authority to diagnose. Both master’s- and doctoral-trained psychologists are highly skilled, regulated professionals whose contributions are essential to meeting public need.
OAMHP applauds CPBAO for taking action to align psychology with national mobility standards, increase access to qualified practitioners, and ensure timely care for Ontarians while maintaining strong professional standards and public protection.
As an association representing a wide range of mental health professionals, including both master’s- and doctoral-trained psychologists, OAMHP is committed to supporting fact-based communication, public understanding, and collaboration across the profession. We encourage all stakeholders to work together to preserve and promote a healthy, inclusive, and future-ready psychology profession in Ontario.
History of Masters-Prepared Practitioners in Ontario Psychology
WSIB Expands Access to Mental Health Care
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is launching a refreshed Mental Health Program of Care. This a bundled, community-based model that brings together psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, and other regulated health professionals authorized to perform psychotherapy.
This integrated program is designed to strengthen collaboration and improve access to care for injured workers across Ontario. WSIB has begun contacting current providers, and registration to deliver services will open on Biddingo between October and November 2025 through a Request for Services process. Information sessions will also be held to review eligibility, fees, and application steps.
💡 Stay tuned for more information as WSIB releases additional program details and registration updates.
OAMHP Responds to Proposed Scope Expansion for Psychologists
OAMHP has submitted a formal response to the Ministry of Health’s consultation on proposed amendments to the Psychology Act, 1991 (Regulatory Registry Proposal No. 51713). The proposed changes would allow certain psychologists, following advanced training, to prescribe select psychotropic medications and order diagnostic tests.
OAMHP’s submission supports the initiative in principle, emphasizing that equitable training, strong supervision, interprofessional collaboration, and clear limits on scope are essential to safeguard patients and enhance system efficiency. The response highlights the potential benefits for access, equity, and continuity of care across Ontario, particularly for rural and underserved communities.
Read OAMHP’s Full Submission →
Public comments are open until November 3, 2025.
Submit Your Feedback →