I am looking for some clarification on whether reports should be co-signed. Specifically, assessments were completed by a Psychologist (Candidate Register) during full-time employment. Now that there is parental leave for the same Psychologist, the individual is no longer on the Candidate Register, but is still responsible for completing the assessment reports. Even if the person was on the Candidate Register at the time of assessment completion, would there now need to be a co-signing Psychologist in order to submit the outstanding reports, or can the person still independently sign as a Psychologist (Cand. Reg)?

Generally if one is on maternity leave and not on the Candidate Register because of this, NSRP would not expect them to be practicing, where they have chose to come off the Register. Even if a candidate were on the Inactive Register, the policy is that they should not be practicing psychology. If they are off the register then signing off at this time as a Psychologist (Cand. Reg) would be a violation of the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Psychology Regulations.

It would be important, therefore, not to do so and for clients to be made aware that the individual is not currently a psychologist. There would be no harm in having an actively registered psychologist ethically co-sign reports. The NSRP has a position statement on co-signing which may be of assistance. Here is a link to the URL:

https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Policy_Advisory_Cosigning_Reports.pdf