Psychology

The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) grants licensure to applicants who meet the licensure requirements and standards established by the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) (as of April 1, 2026) and the CHCPBC Bylaws. CHCPBC confirms an applicant meets these standards through a careful review and validation of an applicant’s education, training, and practice experience, as well as requiring entry to practice examinations.

The application process is detailed and thorough and ensures CHCPBC licensees meet the high standard required to protect public health and safety.

Selecting the Application Type

• The first step is determining which type of application to make. This is based on several variables including where an applicant was educated, whether they currently hold registration/licensure in Canada or the US, and other certifications. Applicants should carefully review the headings listed in the menu on the left and on this page to determine which application is appropriate for them.

Document Collection

• Once an applicant submits an application form, supporting documents, and fees, CHCPBC does an initial review of the documentation to determine whether any immediate clarification is needed or if anything is missing. All applicants will receive an email acknowledging their application and noting the expiry date of their application.
• During this phase, the College requests and/or files documentation received from third parties (e.g. criminal records review program, transcripts, etc.) and reminds applicants of any outstanding information required in order to review their file.
• The onus is on applicants to ensure that all required documentation is sent to the College.

File Review

• Once all documentation has been collected, CHCPBC reviews the application file to determine whether any additional information is required or if there are issues requiring further exploration. If there are no further questions and the file is determined to meet the basic licensure criteria for their application category, the applicant will receive an email permitting them to proceed to the next phase of the process.

• Applicants cannot proceed to the examinations phase until it is determined that their education, training and experience, and other general registration requirements have been met for the application type.

Examinations

Depending on the category of application that has been made, applicants are required to complete one or more examinations. See Examinations for more information.

Provisional Licensure

Effective April 1, 2026, under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), there will be a provisional licence class for all regulated health professions.

Licensees in the provisional class must work under the supervision of a College-approved Full licensee, in good standing, in the same profession. The supervision is required because these individuals have not yet demonstrated entry-to-practice competency.

Provisional licensure will be available to psychology applicants, including school psychology, who have met all licensure requirements for a Full licence, other than successful completion of their entry to practice examinations. Provisional licensure will be available for up to 12 months, with a potential extension of 6 months at the discretion of the Registrar.

Applicants or Provisional Licensees who fail an entry to practice exam twice will no longer be eligible for Provisional licensure.

Provisional Licensees may not practise under the supervision of more than two supervisors.

Once eligible for the examinations phase of the application process, applicants will be provided with more information about applying for a Provisional licence.

Full Licensure

When all requirements for Full licensure have been met, including proof of professional liability insurance, the College will provide an invoice for the annual licence fee. A licence is not valid until paid.

Timelines

Timelines for the application process are affected by:

• Submission of documents by applicant and third parties
• Completion of exams by applicant
• Oral Examination administration schedule
• Time required for the College to determine whether applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities are substantially equivalent to the standards
• Licence Committee’s meeting schedule if they must review the application
• College’s response time during periods of high volume

The table below shows the estimated minimum timelines for four psychologist application types.

The information in this section is for applicants who:

• Are currently licensed or registered for active practice in another Canadian jurisdiction, as the equivalent of a CHCPBC Full Licence in Psychology,
• Are of good character and not subject to practice limitations, restrictions, or conditions in another Canadian jurisdiction, and
• Will maintain registration/licensure in the home jurisdiction up to the point of being granted licensure with CHCPBC.

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) facilitates the mobility of workers across the country. Applicants currently registered in another Canadian jurisdiction with the equivalent of a CHCPBC Full licence in Psychology may apply through a streamlined registration process in accordance with the CFTA, BC Labour Mobility Act, and CHCPBC’s Bylaws.

Registrants of the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) who have not completed a CPA or APA accredited pre-doctoral internship, and who apply for licensure in BC on the basis of their Alberta registration, must also provide satisfactory evidence of meeting CAP’s requirements to declare “formal assessment” as a professional activity, in order to demonstrate the equivalency of their Alberta registration to licensure as a Psychologist in BC. To learn more, read Information for Registrants of CAP (PDF).

Application Requirements

1. Application form

Applicants must complete the Application Form found in the Licensee Portal and upload other required items.

• Step 1: Create an account in the licensee portal using your email address.
• Step 2: On your portal home page, under “Apply for a Permit” Select “Applicants (Full – Psychologist)”
• Step 3: Complete your application and upload required items.

2. Identification to be Notarized and Submitted

Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification. Identification must:

• Be valid and unexpired.
• Be notarized and verified in their original form by a notary public or lawyer; other professionals will not be accepted. Notary’s stamp and the date must be visible.
• Include at least one primary identification from the list linked below.
• Include your legal name that matches the name on the application form.
• Include at least one with your date of birth and signature.

Please see Option 3 on the CRRP website for a list of accepted primary and secondary identification.

3. Certificates of Standing

The College requires verification(s) of licensure and registration status, dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of the Application, from the following:

• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a previous or current application for psychology licensure.
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a licence to practice another health profession.
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant is currently, or was previously, licensed or registered as a psychologist or other health professional.

The Verification of Licensure and Registration Status form (PDF) must be sent directly to CHCPBC from other regulatory bodies/licensing boards.

Applicants must request that verifications of status be sent directly to CHCPBC for any Certificate of Professional Qualification issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), any present listing with the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers (CRHSPP), and/or any present listing with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP).

4. Declaration of Area of Practice 

For the purposes of initial licensure, applicants must select one area of practice (PDF) and complete a declaration of competence. A declaration of competence in an area of practice is a declaration by the applicant that they have the appropriate training, education, and experience in that area of psychology to be able to offer the wide range of activities and services within that area.

A declaration in an area of practice should be consistent with the graduate program completed and subsequent internship. If the declared area of practice is different from what is documented on a transcript, the applicant may be required to document competence in that area. CHCPBC does not offer specialty licenses to Psychologists in any practice area.

5. Transcripts 

Applicants must provide an official transcript for the highest degree on which registration/licensure is based in the home jurisdiction(s). Photocopied transcripts are acceptable for this application pathway.

6. Criminal Record Check 

All applicants must undergo an online criminal record check through the provincial government’s Criminal Record Review Program. Detailed instructions for completing this requirement are provided to applicants on the application for licensure form.

Applicants who have lived, practised, or studied outside of Canada may also be required to submit a criminal record check that is the equivalent of the BC Criminal Record Check. CHCPBC will inform you if you are required to submit a criminal record check from outside Canada as part of your application for licensure.

7. English Language Proficiency 

Applicants from other Canadian jurisdictions are not required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English unless they are currently registered in Quebec. In these cases, if applicants completed their highest-level psychology degree at an English-language university, the transcript serves as evidence and no further documentation is required. 

Applicants who did not complete their degree at an English language university can learn more about how they can demonstrate proficiency in English by reading the English Language Proficiency Policy (PDF).

8. Fees 

Fees are outlined in the Fee Schedule on our website and in the CHCPBC Bylaws.

The information in this section is for applicants who:  

• Hold licensure in a US jurisdiction, as the equivalent of a CHCPBC Full licence in Psychology,   
• Are of good character and not subject to practice limitations, restrictions, or conditions,  
• Are currently registered with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP) or currently holding a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), and  
• Will maintain licensure in their home jurisdiction and a current CPQ certificate or registration with NRHSP up until they are granted registration with CHCPBC. 

Application Requirements

1. Application form

Applicants must complete the Application Form found in the Licensee Portal and upload other required items.  

• Step 1: Create an account in the licensee portal using your email address.
• Step 2: On your portal home page, under “Apply for a Permit” Select “Applicants (Full – Psychologist)”
• Step 3: Complete your application and upload required items.  

2. Certificates of Standing

The College requires verification(s) of licensure and registration status, dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of the Application, from the following: 

• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a previous or current application for psychology licensure 
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a licence to practice another health profession 
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant is currently, or was previously, licensed or registered as a psychologist or other health professional. 

The Verification of Licensure and Registration Status form (PDF) must be sent directly to CHCPBC from other regulatory bodies/licensing boards. 

Applicants must request that verifications of status be sent directly to CHCPBC for any Certificate of Professional Qualification issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), any present listing with the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers (CRHSPP), and/or any present listing with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP).

3. Declaration of Area of Practice 

For the purposes of initial licensure, applicants must select one area of practice (PDF) and complete a declaration of competence. A declaration of competence in an area of practice is a declaration by the applicant that they have the appropriate training, education, and experience in that area of psychology to be able to offer the wide range of activities and services within that area.

A declaration in an area of practice should be consistent with the graduate program completed and subsequent internship. If the declared area of practice is different from what is documented on a transcript, the applicant may be required to document competence in that area. CHCPBC does not offer specialty licenses to Psychologists in any practice area.

4. Transcripts

Applicants must provide an official transcript for the highest degree on which registration/licensure is based in the home jurisdiction(s). Photocopied transcripts are acceptable for this application pathway.

5. Criminal Record Check

All applicants must undergo an online criminal record check through the provincial government’s Criminal Record Review Program. Detailed instructions for completing this requirement are provided to applicants on the application for licensure form.

Applicants who have lived, practised, or studied outside of Canada may also be required to submit a criminal record check that is the equivalent of the BC Criminal Record Check. CHCPBC will inform you if you are required to submit a criminal record check from outside Canada as part of your application for licensure.

6. English Language Proficiency

All applicants for registration are required to provide evidence that demonstrates their proficiency in English. Most applicants will meet this requirement if their highest-level psychology degree was completed at an English language university. In these cases, the transcript serves as evidence and no further documentation is required.  

Applicants who did not complete their degree at an English language university can learn more about how they can demonstrate proficiency in English by reading the English Language Proficiency Policy (PDF). 

7. Fees

Fees are outlined in the Fee Schedule on our website and in the CHCPBC Bylaws.

The information in this section is for applicants who: 

• Graduated from a Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) or American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctorate degree program, and
• Completed a full-time CPA/APA-accredited 12-month pre-doctoral internship, or the equivalent, and
• Have not yet registered to practise in Canada.

Applicants must complete the application requirements outlined here before they can be granted permission to take the written and oral exams and establish eligibility for licensure.

• To check if your program and internship are accredited, please review the CPA or APA accredited program and residency list.

Application Requirements

1. Application form

Applicants must complete the Application Form found in the Licensee Portal and upload other required items.

• Step 1: Create an account in the CHCPBC portal using your email address.
• Step 2: On your portal home page, under “Apply for a Permit” Select “Applicants (Full – Psychologist)”
• Step 3: Complete your application and upload required items.

2. Education and Practical Training

CPA/APA accredited doctoral programs and CPA/APA pre-doctoral internships are both recognized by CHCPBC. Applicants who have completed both of these meet the education and practical training requirements.

Applicants who completed a CPA/APA accredited doctoral program with a pre-doctoral internship that was not CPA/APA accredited will be considered by the Licence Committee for equivalency determination.

As part of the application process, CHCPBC will verify completion of a pre-doctoral internship with the Internship Director.

3. Transcripts 

Applicants must request final, official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate training to be sent directly from the university to CHCPBC. The transcripts should be electronically sent directly from the degree-granting institution to registration@chcpbc.org.

Applicants who have completed all the requirements for their degree but who have not convocated by the date of the application can provide a letter from the senate of the university, director of clinical training of the program, or other designated official from the department of psychology, attesting that the applicant has completed all the requirements of the degree. An original transcript indicating that the degree has been awarded is required prior to licensure with CHCPBC. The specific program completed (e.g., clinical psychology, counselling psychology) must be listed on the transcript or a letter must be sent directly from the department chair or training director to CHCPBC attesting that a specific program was completed by the applicant.

4. Declaration of Area of Practice  

For the purposes of initial licensure, applicants must select one area of practice (PDF) and complete a declaration of competence. A declaration of competence in an area of practice is a declaration by the applicant that they have the appropriate training, education, and experience in that area of psychology to be able to offer the wide range of activities and services within that area.

A declaration in an area of practice should be consistent with the graduate program completed and subsequent internship. If the declared area of practice is different from what is documented on a transcript, the applicant may be required to document competence in that area. CHCPBC does not offer specialty licenses to Psychologists in any practice area.

5. Criminal Record Check 

All applicants must undergo an online criminal record check through the provincial government’s Criminal Record Review Program. Detailed instructions for completing this requirement are provided to applicants on the application for licensure form.

Applicants who have lived, practised, or studied outside of Canada may also be required to submit a criminal record check that is the equivalent of the BC Criminal Record Check. CHCPBC will inform you if you are required to submit a criminal record check from outside Canada as part of your application for licensure.

6. Certificates of Standing  

The College requires verification(s) of licensure and registration status, dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of the Application, from the following:

• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a previous or current application for psychology licensure
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a license to practice another health profession
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant is currently, or was previously, licensed or registered as a psychologist or other health professional.

The Verification of Licensure and Registration Status form (PDF) must be sent directly to CHCPBC from other regulatory bodies/ licensing boards.

Applicants are also expected to request that verifications of status be sent directly to the College for any Certificate of Professional Qualification issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), any present listing with the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers (CRHSPP), and/or any present listing with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP).

7. English Language Proficiency 

All applicants for licensure are required to provide evidence that demonstrates their proficiency in English. Most applicants will meet this requirement if their highest-level psychology degree was completed at an English language university. In these cases, the transcript serves as evidence and no further documentation is required.

Applicants who did not complete their degree at an English language university can learn more about how they can demonstrate proficiency in English by reading the English Language Proficiency Policy (PDF).

8. Examinations 

CHCPBC uses two different examinations for Psychologist applicants: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Oral Examination. After an applicant is notified that their documentation is in order and they meet the education requirements for licensure, they will be invited to the examinations phase of the application process. Applicants can only proceed to the Oral Examination once they have been successful at the EPPP.

See Examinations for more information.

9. Fees 

Fees are outlined in the Fee Schedule on our website and in the CHCPBC Bylaws.

The information in this section is for applicants who: 

• Graduated from a doctorate degree program in Canada or the US that was not Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)/American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited, and/or
• Completed a full-time 12-month pre-doctoral internship or the equivalent in Canada or the US that was not CPA/APA accredited, or
• Were educated/practised as a psychology professional outside of Canada and the US, and
• Do not hold registration or licensure in another Canadian jurisdiction as the equivalent of this class of licence.

Applicants who have completed a program of study or internship that was not CPA- or APA-accredited must have their education and internship assessed by the Licence Committee before eligibility to take the written and oral exams can be established. If you are unsure whether your program or internship was accredited at the time you completed it, please review the CPA or APA accredited program/residency list.

The College welcomes psychology professionals who have been educated and practiced outside of Canada and the US and works to fairly and efficiently evaluate all applications to determine if they meet the standards for entry to practice in BC. In BC, the title “psychologist” can only be used by professionals who are licensed by CHCPBC, unless specifically exempted by regulation.

Application Requirements

1. Application form   

Applicants must complete the Application Form found in the Licensee Portal and upload other required items.

• Step 1: Create an account in the CHCPBC portal using your email address.
• Step 2: On your portal home page, under “Apply for a Permit” Select “Applicants (Full – Psychologist)”
• Step 3: Complete your application and upload required items.

2. Equivalency Determination – Education

Applicants who did not graduate from a recognized education program in psychology and/or a recognized pre-doctoral internship in psychology, as specified in College Bylaws, Schedule 5, Psychology, will undergo an equivalency determination of their education.

In conducting an equivalency determination of the education of an applicant for a Full Psychology Licence, the Licence Committee:

• must consider the criteria specified in College Bylaws, Schedule 8 for Psychology; and
• may consider any of the criteria specified in College Bylaws s. 6.27 (b).

Applicants will receive an equivalency review package to complete as part of the application process.

3. Equivalency Determination – Knowledge, Skills, Ability and Judgement

Applicants may also provide any information and records they consider relevant to an equivalency determination of their knowledge, skills, ability, and judgment.

Applicants will receive an equivalency review package to complete as part of the application process.

4. Verification of Credentials (only applicable to applicants trained outside of Canada and the US)

Applicants trained outside of Canada and the US must provide documentation showing their degrees have been reviewed by an international credentialing agency acceptable to the Licence Committee and indicating the agency’s evaluation of the equivalency between the applicant’s foreign training and a Canadian degree. CHCPBC will accept education credential assessments from an educational credential assessor listed in Schedule 4 of the CHCPBC HPOA bylaws.

5. Transcripts

Applicants must request final, official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate training to be sent directly from the university to CHCPBC. The transcripts should be electronically sent directly from the degree-granting institution to registration@chcpbc.org.

Applicants whose transcripts are not in English must submit translated and notarized copies of their transcripts, in addition to the original transcripts.

The specific program completed (e.g., clinical psychology, counselling psychology) must be listed on the transcript or a letter must be sent directly from the department chair or training director to CHCPBC attesting that a specific program was completed by the applicant.

6. Declaration of Area of Practice 

For the purposes of initial licensure, applicants must select one area of practice and complete a declaration of competence. A declaration of competence in an area of practice is a declaration by the applicant that they have the appropriate training, education, and experience in that area of psychology to be able to offer the wide range of activities and services within that area.

A declaration in an area of practice should be consistent with the graduate program completed and subsequent internship. If the declared area of practice is different from what is documented on a transcript, the applicant may be required to document competence in that area. CHCPBC does not offer specialty licenses to Psychologists in any practice area.

7. Criminal Record Check 

All applicants must undergo an online criminal record check through the provincial government’s Criminal Record Review Program. Detailed instructions for completing this requirement are provided to applicants on the application for licensure form.

Applicants who have lived, practised, or studied outside of Canada may also be required to submit a criminal record check that is the equivalent of the BC Criminal Record Check. CHCPBC will inform you if you are required to submit a criminal record check from outside Canada as part of your application for licensure.

8. Certificates of Standing  

The College requires verification(s) of licensure and registration status, dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of the Application, from the following:

• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a previous or current application for psychology licensure
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a license to practice another health profession
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant is currently, or was previously, licensed or registered as a psychologist or other health professional.

The Verification of Licensure and Registration Status form (PDF) must be sent directly to CHCPBC from other regulatory bodies/ licensing boards.

9. English Language Proficiency 

All applicants for licensure are required to provide evidence that demonstrates their proficiency in English. Most applicants will meet this requirement if their highest-level psychology degree was completed at an English language university. In these cases, the transcript serves as evidence and no further documentation is required.

Applicants who did not complete their degree at an English language university can learn more about how they can demonstrate proficiency in English by reading the English Language Proficiency Policy (PDF).

10. Examinations 

CHCPBC uses two different examinations for Psychologist applicants: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Oral Examination. After an applicant is notified that their documentation is in order and they meet the education requirements for licensure, they will be invited to the examinations phase of the application process. Applicants can only proceed to the Oral Examination once they have been successful at the EPPP.

For more information, please see the Examinations section below.

11. Fees 

Fees are outlined in the Fee Schedule on our website and in the CHCPBC Bylaws.

The information in this section is for applicants who: 

• Are currently licensed or registered for active practice in another jurisdiction, as the equivalent of a CHCPBC Full Licence in Psychology, and 
• Are not subject to any practice limitations, restrictions or conditions in another jurisdiction, and 
• Are planning to provide psychological services in BC, for a period that does not exceed 30 days, for the purpose of: 
  • acting as an expert witness,
  • conducting a psychological assessment,
  • participating in, or acting as an instructor for, a course, conference, or other time-limited educational event, or
• Are planning to provide continuity of care, for a period that does not exceed six months, to an existing client who is moving to or temporarily located in BC, on the basis that it would be clinically ill-advised to stop providing services to the client or to transfer the client’s care to a registrant of CHCPBC

The Temporary Licence is NOT intended for individuals who seek to practice in BC in an ongoing way. Such individuals must apply for Full licensure.

Temporary Licensees may only use the title “Temporary Licensee”.

Application Requirements

1. Application form

Applicants must complete the Application Form found in the Licensee Portal and upload other required items.  

• Step 1: Create an account in the CHCPBC portal using your email address.
• Step 2: On your home page, under “Apply for a Permit” Select “Temporary Licence”
• Step 3: Complete your application and upload required items.  

2. Verification of Licensure and Registration Status

The College requires a verification of licensure and registration status from the jurisdiction in which the applicant is registered or licensed, dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of the Application.

The Verification of Licensure and Registration Status form (PDF) must be sent directly to CHCPBC from the other regulatory body/licensing board. 

3. Criminal Record Check

All applicants must undergo an online criminal record check through the provincial government’s Criminal Record Review Program. Detailed instructions for completing this requirement are provided to applicants on the application for licensure form.

Applicants who have lived, practised, or studied outside of Canada may also be required to submit a criminal record check that is the equivalent of the BC Criminal Record Check. CHCPBC will inform you if you are required to submit a criminal record check from outside Canada as part of your application for licensure.

4. Fees 

Fees are outlined in the Fee Schedule on our website and in the CHCPBC Bylaws.

The information in this section is for applicants who: 

• Graduated with a master’s degree in psychology from a Canadian or US school, and 
• Completed a school psychology internship, or
• Were educated/practiced as a school psychology professional outside of Canada and the US

A Full School Psychology Licensee may diagnose a mental disorder or condition that affects learning and intellectual functioning within a learning environment.

Application Requirements

1. Application form 

Applicants must complete the Application Form found in the Licensee Portal and upload other required items.  

• Step 1: Sign up for the CHCPBC portal using your email address.
• Step 2: On your portal home page, under “Apply for a Permit” Select “Applicants (Full – School Psychologist)”
• Step 3: Complete your application and upload required items.  

2. Identification to be Notarized and Submitted

Applicants must submit two pieces of identification that meet the requirements AND are on the lists of accepted identification. Identification must:

• Be valid and unexpired.
• Be notarized and verified in their original form by a notary public or lawyer; other professionals will not be accepted. Notary’s stamp and the date must be visible.
• Include at least one primary identification from the list linked below.
• Include your legal name that matches the name on the application form.
• Include at least one with your date of birth and signature.

Please see Option 3 on the CRRP website for a list of accepted primary and secondary identification.

3. Equivalency Determination – Education

All School Psychology applicants will undergo an equivalency determination of their program and school psychology internship.

In conducting an equivalency determination of the education of an applicant for a Full School Psychology Licence, the Licence Committee:

• must consider the criteria specified in College Bylaws, Schedule 8 for School Psychology; and
• may consider any of the criteria specified in College Bylaws s. 6.27 (b),
• will deem applicants who currently hold certification by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to have met the School Psychology coursework requirements. Applicants who are NASP certified should request verification of their certificate to be sent directly from NASP to the College. 

Applicants will receive an equivalency review package to complete as part of the application process.

4. Equivalency Determination – Knowledge, Skills, Ability and Judgment

Applicants may also provide any information and records they consider relevant to an equivalency determination of their knowledge, skills, ability, and judgment.

Applicants will receive an equivalency review package to complete as part of the application process.

5. Verification of Credentials (only required by applicants trained outside of Canada and the US)

Applicants trained outside of Canada and the US must provide documentation showing their degrees have been reviewed by an international credentialing agency acceptable to the Licence Committee and indicating the agency’s evaluation of the equivalency between the applicant’s foreign training and a Canadian degree. CHCPBC will accept education credential assessments from an educational credential assessor listed in Schedule 4 of the CHCPBC HPOA bylaws.

6. Transcripts

Applicants must request final, official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate training to be sent directly from the university to CHCPBC. The transcripts should be electronically sent directly from the degree-granting institution to registration@chcpbc.org.  

Applicants whose transcripts are not in English must submit translated and notarized copies of their transcripts, in addition to the original transcripts. 

Applicants who have completed all the requirements for their degree, but who have not convocated by the date of the application can provide a letter from the senate of the university, director of clinical training of the program, or other designated official from the department of psychology, attesting that the applicant has completed all the requirements of the degree. An original transcript indicating that the degree has been awarded is required prior to registration and placement on the College Register. The specific program completed (e.g., school psychology) must be listed on the transcript or a letter must be sent directly from the department chair or training director to the College attesting that a specific program was completed by the applicant.

7. Criminal Record Check 

All applicants must undergo an online criminal record check through the provincial government’s Criminal Record Review Program. Detailed instructions for completing this requirement are provided to applicants on the application for licensure form.

Applicants who have lived, practised, or studied outside of Canada may also be required to submit a criminal record check that is the equivalent of the BC Criminal Record Check. CHCPBC will inform you if you are required to submit a criminal record check from outside Canada as part of your application for licensure.

8. Certificates of Standing  

The College requires verification(s) of licensure and registration status, dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of the Application, from the following: 

• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a previous or current application for psychology licensure 
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant has a license to practice another health profession 
• All jurisdictions in which an applicant is currently, or was previously, licensed or registered as a psychologist or other health professional. 

The Verification of Licensure and Registration Status form (PDF) must be sent directly to CHCPBC from other regulatory bodies/ licensing boards. 

Applicants who are certified by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) must request that verification of certification be sent directly from the organization to the College.

9. English Language Proficiency 

All applicants for licensure are required to provide evidence that demonstrates their proficiency in English. Most applicants will meet this requirement if their highest-level psychology degree was completed at an English language university. In these cases, the transcript serves as evidence and no further documentation is required.  

Applicants who did not complete their degree at an English language university can learn more about how they can demonstrate proficiency in English by reading the English Language Proficiency Policy (PDF). 

10. Examinations 

CHCPBC uses two different examinations for School Psychologist applicants: the Praxis School Psychologist Examination and the Readiness for Practice Examination (RPE). After an applicant is notified that their documentation is in order and they meet the education requirements for licensure, they will be invited to the examinations phase of the application process. Applicants can only proceed to the RPE once they have been successful at the Praxis. 

For more information, please see the Examinations section below. 

11. Fees 

Fees are outlined in the Fee Schedule on our website and in the CHCPBC Bylaws.

Registered Psychologist Documents

• About Telepsychology (PDF)
• Acceptable Forms of ID
• Areas of Psychology Practice (PDF)
• Verification of Licensure and Registration Status Form (PDF)

School Psychologist Documents

• Acceptable Forms of ID
• Verification of Licensure and Registration Status Form (PDF)

Applications expire two years after the application start date, which is communicated to applicants at the start of their application period. This is subject to any extension(s) the College may grant, upon a request for an extension from an applicant, with payment of an extension fee, as detailed below.

Applicants may, in writing, request a four-month extension of the two-year application period. Such requests must be made at least one month prior to the expiry date. Applicants may be granted a maximum of three extensions. The fee for each extension request is set out in the CHCPBC Fee Schedule.

This fee may be waived, and/or the extension period extended, in extenuating circumstances such as an applicant`s serious medical condition with confirming documentation or where the applicant has spent significant time, actively responding to College generated queries or directives.  Currently, the College does not grant waivers on the basis of recent maternity or paternity.

General information about psychologist examinations

• Examinations – Registered Psychologist Applicants (PDF)
• Examinations – School Psychologist Applicants (PDF)

Applicants will be invoiced for the relevant examination fee(s) once they are eligible to be registered for the examination(s).

Oral Examination (for Registered Psychologist applicants)

The Oral Examination assesses the knowledge, readiness, and competence of the applicant to practice generally, and in particular, in the area of practice declared by the applicant. This examination is typically offered three times each calendar year.

Upcoming Oral Examinations

• May 25 – July 3, 2026
  • Deadline for sign up: April 27, 2026
• September 28 – November 6, 2026
  • Deadline for sign up: August 31, 2026

To be registered for an Oral Examination, the College must receive the examination fee by the deadline for sign up.

Please note that the exact examination dates are dependent on examiner availability and are not set until after the deadline for exam sign up has passed. Applicants will be notified of their scheduled date and time via email.

A former applicant may re-apply within two years of an application expiring or closing by submitting a new application form and fee. The re-application will carry forward the following documentation from the previous application: 1) references, 2) transcripts, 3) Written Jurisprudence Examination (WJE) scores, and 4) Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) scores (if applicable).

Certificates of professional qualifications, all criminal record checks, and at least one reference must be current (i.e., the referee must have had contact with the applicant within five years immediately preceding the date of application).  Re-applications will be reviewed according to the registration requirements in place at the time the applicant re-applies.

Regardless of what documents an applicant must re-submit for application purposes, the College may rely on previous information provided by any applicant, at its discretion, for any purpose consistent with its objectives, including assessing any application for registration and dealing with any post-registration disciplinary matter.

• Area of Practice Declaration (PDF)
• Continuing Competency Program Requirements (PDF)
• Coursework Requirements (Registered Psychologists) (PDF)
• Coursework Requirements (School Psychologists) (PDF)
• English Language Proficiency (PDF)
• Examinations (Registered Psychologists) (PDF)
• Examinations (School Psychologists) (PDF)
• Examinations – Accommodations (PDF)
• Identity Documents (PDF)
• Oral Examiners (PDF)
• Referees (Registered Psychologists) (PDF)
• Referees (School Psychologists) (PDF)
• Temporary (Visitor) Registration (PDF)
• Transcript and Credential Assessment (PDF)
• Validity of Applications and Supporting Documents (PDF)
• Verification of Registration (Temporary (Visitor) Registrants) (PDF)