If I am registered psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists how do I make a reciprocal application?

• i) General Eligibility: Registered psychologists who are currently fully licensed in Alberta are invited to apply for reciprocal registration. Provisionally registered psychologists, psychologists on the courtesy register, and psychologists with limitations or restrictions on their practice, are welcome to make a regular application and their applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• ii) Eligibility Categories: If you meet the general eligibility criterion, check to see how you meet one of the six eligibility categories:
  1. Five Years Practice: For further details, please check the Registration Requirements booklet and the current Registration Committee policy regarding reciprocal registration.
  2. Core Competencies and Foundational Knowledge: You were initially licensed in Alberta after July 1, 2003 and were assessed on the core competencies and foundational knowledge.
  3. CPA/APA Accredited Program: Do you have a doctorate degree in psychology from an accredited program? Your doctorate degree must have been evaluated by the College of Alberta Psychologists.
  4. CRHSPP: You are currently registered with the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
  5. National Register: You are currently registered with the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
  6. CPQ: You have a current Certificate of Professional Qualification awarded by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
• iii) What is needed to make a reciprocal application?
  1. Completed reciprocal application form
  2. Application fee
• iv) What supporting documentation is needed?
  1. Verification of Licensure from College of Alberta Psychologists and any other psychology regulatory body where you are or have been licensed.
  2. Documentation from other professional organizations if applicable (i.e., CRHSPP, National Register, ASPPB).
  3. Copy of transcript of the degree on which your registration is based.
  4. Three references from psychologists (the College of Psychologists of BC will obtain these directly from your referees).
  5. Police check for any jurisdiction in which you have lived for the past five years. Criminal record check as required by the Criminal Records Review Program, Ministry of Attorney General, BC.
  6. Supervision plan if you will be providing psychological services in BC prior to registration or as an applicant (see Registration Requirements for more details).
• v) After all the supporting documentation has been received and the application appears to meet the registration requirements, it will be forwarded to the Registration Committee for permission to proceed to the Written Jurisprudence Examination. The committee meetings and the examination are typically scheduled on a monthly basis.
• vi) Successful completion of the Written Jurisprudence Examination, together with information for the register and registration fees, is forwarded to the Registration Committee for placement on the register.
• vii) The typical reciprocal application takes 2-4 months to complete.

If Alberta and British Columbia are signatories to TILMA, why is another application process necessary to become registered in the other province?

• The regulation of psychology is provincial. Alberta and BC have their own legislation, bylaws, and regulations. Having a license to practice psychology in Alberta does not permit you to practice psychology in BC, or vice-versa. However, if you are eligible to make a reciprocal application, your training and academic credentials will have already been assessed by the College of Alberta Psychologists and will not be re-evaluated by the College of Psychologists of BC. This considerably expedites the application process.
  • As is clearly stated in the Twelve Common Misconceptions about TILMA FAQ (see http://www.tilma.ca/about/Misconceptions.asp#six), this agreement was signed between the provinces to facilitate trade between British Columbia and Alberta, not replace regulations or standards that may exist in either jurisdiction.