The fights · Canada · Ontario

One "psychologist" title from a master's degree

Ontario's psychology regulator voted to register master's graduates as psychologists and cut post-degree experience from four years to one. The proposal is now with Ontario's Health Minister; the title change would also need the legislature to amend the Act.

Watch

OntArio on YouTube · 14 Nov 2025

URGENT: Stop the Lowering of Psychologist Standards in Ontario

A short video urging psychologists to oppose the proposed changes before the December 2025 consultation deadline, which has now passed. 2 minutes.

Where it stands

Decided, awaiting government Last checked 9 October 2026

The Board approved the changes on 12 December 2025 and sent them to the Minister of Health. We have found no amending regulation or ministerial decision. The title provisions of the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 would also need amending.

To add Fresh status check before launch

What would change

Registration as a psychologist from a graduate degree from an approved program, master’s included.
Post-master’s experience cut from a four-year minimum to a one-year minimum (the regulator’s own wording).
Recognition of accrediting bodies outside the US.
All registrants would hold a single title, “Psychologist”, replacing the separate “psychological associate” title.

Why it is happening

In our view, Canada’s labour mobility rules work like a ratchet. Provinces that register master’s-level practitioners as “psychologists” set the floor for anyone who moves, which puts pressure on provinces such as Ontario that reserve the psychologist title for doctoral graduates. The regulator says the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, now reinforced by Ontario’s As of Right law, already requires it to register master’s-level psychologists from other provinces under the psychologist title.

Handle with care

A petition describes the change as cutting a “minimum expectation of 7500 hours of supervised practice” to “less than half of those hours”. That is the petition’s own framing. We quote the regulator’s own description of the change.

The stated reason

The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) says it will support "fairness, labour mobility, and improved access to care". The Ontario Psychological Association says the change responds to As of Right legislation, the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and pressure from Ontario's Fairness Commissioner.

Who's fighting

Solid Ground Mental Health ↗ is an Ontario nonprofit working to maintain standards in mental health regulation.

In the media

To add News stories and radio on this fight

How to help

Find out more or get involved at Solid Ground Mental Health ↗.

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