The standing committees of the College are established by the Health Professions Act and are: the Inquiry Committee, the Registration Committee, the Quality Assurance Committee, the Discipline Committee, and the Patient Relations Committee. The role of each of these committees is defined below.

The Inquiry Committee reviews complaints and can also of its own initiative commence an investigation. It seeks to resolve complaints through what is described in the Health Professions Act as undertakings or consents on the part of the respondent psychologist. The Inquiry Committee does not make findings of fact but conducts investigations and, if it identifies concerns, determines firstly whether or not the concerns can be addressed by an undertaking or consent agreement. If the respondent is unwilling to resolve the issues as requested by the Inquiry Committee then the matter is litigated at a full hearing before the Discipline Committee.

The Discipline Committee conducts hearings concerning allegations of professional misconduct, incompetence, or addiction. A formal hearing is very similar to a trial. In discipline hearings the burden of proof is on the College to establish its case based upon clear, cogent and convincing evidence. A respondent who is found against by a Discipline Committee at a hearing may also be found liable for the costs of the discipline hearing.

The Registration Committee has the jurisdiction under the Health Professions Act to grant registration, to limit the granting of registration or to refuse registration, and to grant reinstatement. It currently functions to oversee the entire registration application process and determines all issues of eligibility. While there is no express requirement in the Health Professions Act for it to do so, the Registration Committee has developed a process that at various stages provides the applicant with opportunities to make submissions to the Committee, to retake examinations and to be advised in writing of the reasons for the Committee�s decisions.

The Quality Assurance Committee has the statutory jurisdiction to monitor the standard of practice by conducting reviews and by implementing a continuing competence program for registrants.

The Patient Relations Committee has the mandate to develop programs and materials to increase the awareness of practitioners and clients regarding their respective responsibilities and rights, with a view to preventing abuse of clients.