Question 1

ACPRO CGFNS follow-up

Accepted Answer

As mentioned, I wanted to be careful with this one as she represents our first time going through the process as well. I also appreciate that we don't want to get in between the organization and this individual.

The Registrar and I chatted and we thought maybe because the applicant said it started in November and she had not gotten reply to her emails then maybe a very gentle contact could be made. Perhaps even taking this step without advising the applicant, so as to not get her hopes up. Then maybe we can wait 24 hours and see if there is a response from the organization.

If you login to your CGFNS account, then you click on the area called "Applications by Status" and then you can see each applicant's record and their number, and you can click on the record to open the applicant's record. After you do so, a "Support" option (top of the resulting page) can be clicked which then allows you to submit a service request. I would then select the option called "ICD re applicant"nIn the box for issues, you could simply indicate the applicant's name and that "the applicant indicated that she has not gotten a response since February to her emails. We understand that there could be reasons for this and are not taking any position on the process. However, this is the first applicant that NSRP is ware has used the portal process. Therefore, as a courtesy to the applicant at this time, we thought we would simply pose this as a general enquiry. Thank you for any information you may be able to provide to NSRP or to the applicant."

Question 2

But anybody who was a Master's level psychologist at the time of the changes would still be designated as Master's level and not considered equivalent to PhD level?

Accepted Answer

To answer your question, no, a grandfathered person with a master's degree who is placed on the Register of Psychologists would be given access to the same registration title as a psychologist with a doctoral degree. The registration titles used for those on the Register of Psychologists are Psychologist, Registered Psychologist or R.Psych.

If grandfathered, there would be no differentiation in these titles according to the education of the applicant.

Question 3

I am a Canadian (east coaster actually), now a dual CAN/UK Citizen currently living in England. I have completed my doctorate in clinical psychology in the UK and have been working a number of years as a clinical psychologist over here. I am considering opportunities back in Canada and I was wondering what the best process would be to support a transition back into some work in Canada given that I have trained in the UK. I am not sure whether there would be someone to make an appointment with to discuss the process that I would be required to go through to access registration or whether you have rather straight forward guidance in this regards? I would accept either with gratitude.

A couple of questions that come to mind are:A)Can I apply/accept jobs in Canada prior to being accepted on the register?B)Can I apply for and maintain my status on the register while still living in the UK or do I have to be resident in Canada to do so?C)Can I be registered in more than one province at a time as I hope to do some work in NB also?D) If registered can I work remotely in Canada from the UK or are there policies preventing this?

Accepted Answer

To answer your question, if your degree/s were obtained from an International Institution and you wish to register with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology (NSRP) here is a brief outline of the process:* You must complete the online application process for international applicants with ACPRO and request that ACPRO forward your completed application package to the NSRP, the NSRP would examine your degree and experience in relation to these criteria.

* The NSRP typically meets every calendar month. All required documents must be received at least two weeks prior to a NSRP meeting in order to be added to the Agenda for the next meeting.

* In the event that an applicant misses the monthly deadline, no documentation has to be recompleted or resubmitted, the application will simply be reviewed at the next meeting.

* Once the NSRP of Examiners has completed its assessment of your application materials, you will be contacted in writing, typically within 2 weeks. To facilitate this communication, the registration decision will be sent to you via email.

I have included a link below to the section of our website for further clarification and more information. This includes all details about the application process, including the registration criteria of NSRP.

https://www.ns-rp.ca/applicants/international-applicants-2/nWith regards to your specific questions.:A) Employers may want to know that the individual has completed the application requirements with the regulatory body and will be able to obtain registration before finalizing an offer for employment. The NSRP does not prevent applicants from working prior to registration, but any work done prior to registration is not sanctioned by the NSRP. Prior to registration, individuals cannot be employed in a position in which they would hold themselves out as a psychologist / psychologist (candidate register), as these titles are protected by legislation. Only after becoming registered can one use a title authorized by the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Psychology Regulations. However, some individuals work in a limited role prior to registration using a title that does not contravene the Act. Some examples of titles that have been used by eligible individuals prior to registration are: Psychology Technician, Psychometrist, Psychology Assistant, and Psychology Clinician. It is critical that anyone working prior to registration with NSRP be clear with the public and others that they do not currently hold registration with NSRP to ensure that any individual receiving services is not under the impression they are receiving services from a psychologist or registrant of the NSRP.

B) You can apply for registration while living the U.K. However, all International Applicants who are approved for registration, will be required to complete at least a six month period of supervised practice in Nova Scotia under the supervision of a psychologist registered in Nova Scotia (however, if they are not registered as a psychologist elsewhere and do not meet the requirements for transfer, the individual would need to complete the candidate registration process including additional supervision, the EPPP and Oral Exam), so it would make it challenging if you were not located in NS. During COVID-19, NSRP is enabling virtual supervision, but this will likely be curtailed once COVID recedes.

C) Yes, you can be registered in more than one jurisdiction at a time.

D) Once you complete all requirements and are fully registered with NSRP, you would be able to provide services via telepsychology to individuals located in Nova Scotia.

Question 4

I am currently a masters student who is studying counselling psychology at Western University. Upon completion of my masters, I wish to register as a psychologist in Nova Scotia. I am wondering what the rules and regulations are about this.

Quick facts about my situationn- Upon completion of my degree, I would have a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychologyn- My 8 month internship will be supervised 50/50 by a phd psychologist (for assessment) and by a masters level psychologist (for counselling)

Accepted Answer

To answer your question, NSRP requires the primary supervisor to be a psychologist. If the supervisors of your internship are psychologists, then the internship may meet all NSRP requirements.

Please note, if you applying to NSRP for registration, then such information should be identified on the verification of practicum form with respect to the practicum.

Question 5

I am planning on applying to several Masters of School Psychology programs for Fall 2022 admission. I am originally from Nova Scotia; however, I completed my undergraduate psychology degree in Calgary where I currently reside and work. I am interested in being able to work both in Nova Scotia and Alberta in the future. I would like to apply to Mount Saint Vincent's M.A. (School Psychology) program as well as the University of Calgary's School Psychology programs (there is both a course-based and thesis-based route). From my understanding, the M.A. (School Psychology) program at MSVU would meet the requirements to register with the NSBEP (please correct me if this is false!). However, I am unsure whether the programs offered at the University of Calgary would be eligible for registration with the NSBEP? It would be wonderful to clarify this as I would really like to keep the doors open to working in Nova Scotia one day.

My specific questions are:Would the University of Calgary's School and Applied Child Psychology Master of Science (MSc) Thesis-based program allow individuals to register with the NSBEP? (https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/school-and-applied-psychology-msc-thesis)

Would the University of Calgary's School and Applied Child Psychology Master of Education (MEd) Course-based program allow individuals to register with the NSBEP? (https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/school-and-applied-psychology-med-course)

If I were to register with the College of Alberta Psychologists as a registered Psychologist, would that automatically guarantee eligibility to register with the NSBEP, or would I have to be re-assessed according to the NSBEP's criteria?If I were to acquire a M.ED but am not eligible to register with the NSBEP, would I be able to work in some capacity as a School Psychologist in Nova Scotia?I apologize if this information is listed elsewhere. I have tried looking at the FAQ pages, however, I had difficulties finding information about eligibility of specific programs outside of Nova Scotia and whether or not they might meet the requirements of the NSBEP.

Accepted Answer

My specific questions are:Would the University of Calgary's School and Applied Child Psychology Master of Science (MSc) Thesis-based program allow individuals to register with the NSRP? (https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/school-and-applied-psychology-msc-thesis)

Probably. But one would need to review the NSRP criteria for acceptable degrees to be certain.

https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Requirements_Regular.pdf nWould the University of Calgary's School and Applied Child Psychology Master of Education (MEd) Course-based program allow individuals to register with the NSRP? (https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/school-and-applied-psychology-med-course)

Possibly. But one would need to review the NSRP criteria for acceptable degrees and it depends whether it meets the NSRP's requirement of residency.

If I were to register with the College of Alberta Psychologists as a registered Psychologist, would that automatically guarantee eligibility to register with the NSRP, or would I have to be re-assessed according to the NSRP's criterianYou would be able to apply under the provisions of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and your registration in AB would qualify you for registration in NS.

If I were to acquire a M.ED but am not eligible to register with the NSRP, would I be able to work in some capacity as a School Psychologist in Nova Scotia?If one did not qualify for registration with NSRP, it may be possible to work in some capacity but not as a School Psychologist. In such a case, we could not sanction any work that is not an officialnSchool Psychology position or a position where one is not registered with NSRP.

I apologize if this information is listed elsewhere. I have tried looking at the FAQ pages, however, I had difficulties finding information about eligibility of specific programs outside of Nova Scotia and whether or not they might meet the requirements of the NSRP.

Information pertaining to programs outside NS is actually contained in this PDF: https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Acceptable_programs_NSBEP.pdf

Question 6

I followed the instructions for the Learning Plan that you referenced in the Supervision Handbook. Can you confirm that there is no standard form for this process? So far, I wrote the information in a letter format with Part 1, 2, and 3 highlighted as indicated in the instructions. If you could please confirm, that would be helpful.

Accepted Answer

There is no specific form. As long as she follows the guidance in the Supervision Handbook that will be fine.

Question 7

I have a question regarding supervision during your candidate registrar year that I was unable to answer in exploring your website documents. I am currently finishing my residency year in Ontario, and will move back to Nova Scotia to apply as a candidate registrar psychologist this September 2021. My understanding is that I need to have a supervisor during that year that I meet with at least 2 hours a month.

I am looking to declare competency in two areas: Clinical and Neuropsychology (adults, for both). My PhD training was in Dalhousie's clinical psychology program, where ~50% of my practicum hours were neuropsychology and the other ~50% were clinical. Currently, I am completing a largely neuropsychology residency program here at St. Joseph's Healthcare (~70% neuropsychology; ~30% clinical). I am currently trying to secure two 50% jobs during my candidate registrar year – one clinical and one neuropsych – to ensure I am working in both and can declare competency in both. My plan was to find a clinical psychology supervisor, as that is the domain where I am receiving less supervision during my residency year.

In talking to others who have registered in neuropsychology in Nova Scotia, they were concerned that I would be required to have a neuropsychology supervisor in order to declare competency in that area. I could not find guidance to this on your website, or anything stating you were required to have 1 supervisor for each area of competency you are interested in declaring (unless it is a new area you are not trained/working in, and you need a learning plan, etc). I would appreciate your thoughts on my current situation.

Accepted Answer

The NSRP's Registration Subcommittee will review the application and make a decision on the declared practice areas. Then, if the decision is to approve both the clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology practice areas, the NSRP will want to ensure that both practice areas are covered. In such a case, NSRP would expect one to have a supervisor with competence in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology, or to have two different supervisors as to cover both areas.

Question 8

I have received an offer of acceptance for Concordia University of Edmonton's Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program for Fall 2021. This is the first year for the program, so it is not yet accredited, but it seems to follow CPA guidelines and is similar to other PsyD programs in Canada (a five-year program requiring 123 credit hours, including dissertation credits and a year-long (1,600-hour) internship/clinical residency).

My plan is to practice in Nova Scotia as a Clinical Psychologist after completing the program, so before accepting my offer I wanted to confirm that the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology recognizes their program. I have attached a link to the program's website for reference. Thank you.

https://concordia.ab.ca/faculty-arts/graduate-programs/psyd/

Accepted Answer

As NSRP has not yet examined any applicants with completed applications from the Program, the NSRP is unable to preapprove the program. However, from the information available about the program from the university's website, we did not see any deficiencies. You are welcome to review below referenced document from NSRP that discusses approved programs and the kinds of challenges that are typically seen with programs that are unacceptable to the NSRP.

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

Question 9

I have recently been told that I can complete a number of Masters level Psychology programs outside of Nova Scotia (if need be) and return to the province to register. Are you able to tell me which programs would be accredited, or if not, could you please tell me where I would find such information? The schools themselves have not been able to say ‘yes, you can attend and then register in N.S.' and I want to ensure I apply for applicable programs.

Accepted Answer

Below I have provided the criteria and registration requirements that one would need to follow to become registered with the NSRP. These have been prepared for potential registrants. They can be reviewed via the following URL: https://www.ns-rp.ca/downloads/Registration_Requirements_Regular.pdf

For more information about acceptable programs, please also see the below document which has been developed by NSRP. Here you will also see information about the common reasons why programs would not be acceptable for registration.

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

Question 10

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to inquire about what upgrading I would have to pursue to qualify for registry in the NSBEP. I am currently finishing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. I recently discovered that with this Master's program my local hospital would not hire me. Therefore, I am interested in upgrading to assure that I have not obtained a degree that I am unable to use.

Accepted Answer

NSRP's legislation does does not contain a bridging or upgrading option to convert a degree that does not meet the NSRP's Criteria for Acceptable Degrees in Psychology (URL provided below).

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

The NSRP's legislation requires one to possess an acceptable degrees in psychology from an institution approved by the NSRP. The NSRP does not have discretion to waive these requirements.

In your circumstances, you might consider checking with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists for registration eligibility. The College of Counselling Therapists is the provincial governing body for counselling therapy (URL provided below).

https://nscct.ca/

Question 11

I was told by a professor that I could be eligible for registration as a psychologist in Nova Scotia with a Master's of Education in Counselling from Acadia University. Looking over the list of acceptable programs from NSBEP (http://nsbep.org/downloads/Acceptable_programs_NSBEP.pdf) it looks like that might not (or perhaps, no longer) be true.

Can you confirm whether I can, or cannot, apply to the NSBEP with this degree?

Accepted Answer

The longstanding information noted on the NSRP website is correct in that the M.Ed. in Counselling from Acadia is not acceptable to the NSRP.

Question 12

On the Supervision tab, it says "in addition to your NSBEP supervisor" on each section. It's not clear to be if this is a direction to include both our NSBEP supervisors and additional ones here or only additional ones and to indicate NSBEP somewhere else. I am not noticing another place for NSBEP supervisor, so am guessing it should be here? Should it just be indicated next to their name?

Accepted Answer

For this tab, NSRP is really wanting to know what workplace supervision and collegial supports the applicant will have in the work setting aside from the NSRP supervisor. Information pertaining to the NSRP supervision will be provided through the submission of the Supervisor's Consent Form and CV that is provided separately from the online application form itself.

Question 13

Thank you very much for your comprehensive answer and the list of Board approved supervisors. Just one follow up question: Would I make my request for the Board to grant me credit for the supervision hours I have accrued in Ontario at the time of submitting my initial application, or should that be a separate request? And would that request be simply a letter or is there a specific form/protocol to follow for this process? I looked around on the website but couldn't find any guidelines around this.

Accepted Answer

To answer your question, you can submit your request at the time of your application or at a later date. If the NSRP provides credit for past supervision. it can adjust your supervision time accordingly. In such an instance, NSRP policy requires that in addition to having the regulatory body confirm the supervision has taken place, confirmation of hours and time of supervision, the applicant provides logs or supervision reports describing the content of supervision and ratings provided by the supervisor(s).

If the College can provide such additional information that would be appreciated. We would accept the information electronically if that is convenient.

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