When hair stylists get more training than Psychologists: A wake-up call for Ontario
The province’s regulator, the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) is proposing sweeping changes to the way psychologists or psychological associates are educated and trained.
The proposed changes would slash training by up to 75 per cent, which will mean health care professionals will have less practical experience than hairstylists. In fact, the CPBAO is considering eliminating oral exams altogether and proposes replacing them with a single written test. All of this is being done under the guise of increasing the number of psychologists in Ontario.
The College has quietly released these and other troubling recommendations for public consultation until December 9. Following this brief online-only consultation period, the College plans to submit its final recommendations to the Ford Government.
And yet the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), the only provincial association representing psychology in Ontario, was never even consulted in this process.
The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has joined us in condemning the lowered requirements as dangerous for the public, mental health patients and, as a result, creating higher costs to the public health, education and legal systems.
When people are misdiagnosed or treated for the wrong reasons, the result is often prolonged distress, ineffective and expensive care, and, in some cases, errors in legal decisions. Psychologists also play a central role in high-stakes forensic assessments, such as determining an individual’s risk of re-offending, which influences sentencing and release. When these evaluations are conducted by professionals without the necessary training, judges may be asked to make decisions based on weaker evidence. That raises the risk of releasing individuals who may pose a danger to the public or, conversely, restricting the liberty of those who present little risk to anyone’s safety.
The stakes are high.
● Expanding PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) programs in Ontario to grow the workforce while maintaining rigorous standards.
● Creating bursaries and retention incentives for psychologists who are working in schools and children’s treatment centres.
● Developing ‘fast track’ bridging programs for internationally trained psychologists, especially those from places like the U.S.
Trying to increase the supply of psychologists and psychological associates by throwing open the doors to less qualified practitioners from other provinces is not a patient-first solution. It is a lowest-common-denominator approach that compromises the safety of patients and the public across Canada.
Instead, let’s establish a “qualifying” status for those who pass the College’s required exams but are still building the experience to become a fully qualified, registered psychologist or psychological associate. That will create more opportunities for psychologists wanting to practice in Ontario to gain greater experience under the mentorship of a fully qualified, supervising professional.
A balanced approach can improve access to high-quality psychological care while also creating a more diverse and representative profession. We will reflect the diversity of the people we serve across culture, language, geography, and lived experience, and patients are more likely to feel understood, respected, and supported in our care.
Have Your Say:
Fill out the CPBAO Survey and Vote NO on Question 4.
Anyone can provide feedback to the College about the proposals by visiting its consultation page here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/BZ5SB8Q.
Contact your local MPP:
Let your representative know that lowering shouldn’t lower standards for psychologists and psychologist associates shouldn’t be a race to the bottom. Public safety and patient health come first. Find your local MPP’s contact information here:
MPP contact information | Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Contact Minister of Health Sylvia Jones:
Additional Partner Link:
Home | Psychology Advocacy Network
Additional Media Links:
College Standards Advocacy Resources
Updates regarding College Standards from the OPA:
11-11-2025 Protect the Integrity of Our Profession-Participate in the CPBAO Consultation
10-21-2025 OPA Weekly Update Regarding CPBAO Consultation and RxP-Updated Oct 29 2025
10-14-2025 OPA Weekly Update Regarding CPBAO Consultation and RxP
10-06-2025 Important Update for OPA Members Regarding CPBAO Consultation and RxP
10-01-2025 Statement from OPA BOD Regarding CPBAO Proposed Changes
09-24-2025 Update on the CPBAO Proposed Changes to Training and Accreditation Standards
08-22-2025 IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO MEMBERS FROM THE OPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
06-27-2025 IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO MEMBERS FROM THE OPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Partners:
CPA/OPA joint letter to Ontario College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts
Consultation Links:
The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) is seeking feedback on proposed amendments Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 and Registration Regulation 193/23 to modernize the College’s registration practices. The comment period is open until December 9, 2025.
You can submit your comments HERE.
CPBAO has also provided materials to review HERE.
Regulatory Registry for Consultations can be found HERE.
News & Media:
10-15-2025 Improving access to psychologists shouldn't mean dangerously lowering our standards
10-01-2025 Compromising Safety in the Name of Access
Member Meetings & Presentations:
08-15-2025 Meeting with the Ontario Fairness Commissioner
09-10-2025 OPA Townhall
10-29-2025 OPA Townhall
*Ongoing meetings and discussions with the Ministry of Health
RxP Advocacy
Updates regarding College Standards from the OPA:
10-14-2025 OPA Weekly Update Regarding CPBAO Consultation and RxP
10-06-2025 Important Update for OPA Members Regarding CPBAO Consultation and RxP
09-18-2025 Prescribing Privileges to Psychologists: Public Consultation Process
09-17-2025 A Milestone for Psychology in Ontario: Prescribing Privileges Granted
Consultation Links:
Consultations on proposed changes to certain psychologists' scope of practice to advance access to certain mental health services in Ontario. The comment period is open until November 3rd, 2025.
10-24-2025 RxP Guide to Respond to Ministry Public Consultation
You can submit your comments HERE.
News & Media:
September 17th, 2025- Ontario Taking Next Steps to Improve Health-Care Access