Hello, I would very much appreciate a phone call with one of your representatives to answer some questions I have about the psychologist licensure process in Nova Scotia.
I have an APA accredited PhD degree from the USA, sufficient supervised experience, and many years practical experience as a Registered Clinical Counselor in British Columbia. But I have never taken the EPPP or oral exam.
If someone would please kindly phone me, I would like to discuss:Is this webpage the most appropriate for my circumstances: https://www.ns-rp.ca/applicants/those-not-registered-as-psychologist-elsewhere/?Yes, as you have never been registered as a psychologist in another jurisdiction, this is the correct application for your circumstances.
For my circumstances, how long might the process take?The process takes as long as it takes for you to complete the application, and ensure all of the required supporting documentation is submitted to NSRP. Please note that all of the required documentation must be received 2 weeks prior to a NSRP Meeting. The dates of the next several NSRP Meetings are: December 11, 2020, January 15, 2021, February 19, 2021 and March 19, 2021.
How much of the application and examination process may I complete at a distance, before I relocate to Nova Scotia?You are able to complete all of the online application process remotely. However, once an application is reviewed and, if it’s approved, then the next step would be registration on the Register of Candidates. This would then enable one to practice and complete the EPPP exam, required period of supervised practice, and finally the Oral Exam. These exams would not be completed until one is placed on the Register of Candidates. The EPPP exam must be passed no later than 2 years after placement on the Candidate Register. However, candidates can apply to take the EPPP as soon as they are placed on the Register of Candidates.
nWhat are key calendar dates to target for application submission and examination?nThe dates of the next several NSRP Meetings are: December 11, 2020, January 15, 2021, February 19, 2021 and March 19, 2021.
For a complete listing of all upcoming dates, please see the following URL: https://www.ns-rp.ca/about-nsbep/information-for-registrantsfor-all-registrantsnewsmeeting_dates/nAre Nova Scotia psychologists allowed to deliver online services to Canadian clients who live outside the province, across Canada?Registered psychologists may be permitted on a temporary basis to provide telepsychology to clients who live outside Nova Scotia; however, they must contact the jurisdiction where the client is residing to ensure they follow the registration requirements the jurisdiction may require. Most jurisdictions consider the practice to have occurred where the client is located so they have jurisdiction for authorizing such requests.
What practice requirements are necessary to maintain licensure in Nova Scotia? Such as minimum residency per year, minimum practice hours per year, anything else?Here is how the process/requirements unfold: The first step is completing the application process. Following the NSRP’s review of an application, if the application is found to be acceptable, then the individual could be placed on the Register of Candidates. For Candidate Registration, one would need to be practicing and supervised by a registered psychologist in Nova Scotia. The NSRP does not have a minimum number of practice hours per year, but the total number of hours must be accumulated before the individual is eligible for the oral exam. In other words, it would take longer to accumulate the required time if one is working part-time vs. full time hours. Applicants found to have an acceptable doctoral internship are still required to complete a minimum of 1500 hours (one year) of supervised practice in Nova Scotia.
Are there any application requirements/steps that might be considered already fulfilled by my current certification as a Registered Clinical Counselor?No. The NSRP does not have an equivalency clause and does not waive requirements based on certifications that do not come from a regulator specifically in psychology. It requires the entry level academic requirements be met, completion of the EPPP, 2 years of post doc experience (as mentioned, one of which may be credited upon the NSRP’s review of a one year internship that was part of the educational program) and passing the Oral Exam.
I am unsure if I have a full year of post doc supervision, but I do have 8 years post doc experience in independent practice, a number of professional provider certifications by regulatory bodies and government health care organizations in BC, and have the work experience and training to demonstrate competency. Do you provide an option to apply for an experience equivalency waiver of the 1 year post doc supervision requirement?No. The NS Regulated Health Professions Act and the Psychology Regulations requires 2 years of post doc experience, one of which may be credited upon the NSRP’s review of a one year internship that was part of the educational program. However, at least one year of post doc experience must still be completed after one is placed on the Register of Candidates. As mentioned, the NSRP does not waive requirements based on certifications that do not come from a regulator specifically in psychology.
