LEGISLATION:
the regulated health professionals act
Psychology has been a self-regulated profession in Ontario since the original Psychologists Registration Act in 1960. With the proclamation of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) in 1993, psychology joined 20 (subsequently, 23) other health professions under the umbrella of one major piece of health legislation, whose primary objective was to protect the public. In addition, the Psychology Act (RSO,1991) replaced the former Psychologists Registration Act (RSO, 1980), replaced the former Board of Examiners with a new College of Psychologists (under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care), created a new title "Psychological Associate" for members registered at the master's level (while reserving the title "Psychologist" for doctoral-level members), and defined the practice of psychology as:
"The assessment of behavioural and mental conditions, the diagnosis of neuropsychological disorders and dysfunctions and psychotic, neurotic and personality disorders and dysfunctions and the prevention and treatment of behavioural and mental disorders and dysfunctions and the maintenance and enhancement of physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning."
Members of the College of Psychologists must comply with The Regulations, Standards of Professional Conduct and Guidelines of the College of Psychologists (December 1995), as well as other standards and principles adopted by the College. For members who practice in the area of school psychology, two documents are of particular importance:
Practice Guidelines for Providers of Psychological
Services,
Canadian Psychological Association, 1989. Updated 2001
version, PDF, 16 pages.
Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. American Psychological Association, 1999.
For electronic versions of both the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Psychology Act, go the Statutes and Regulations of Ontario.
For another excellent, searchable electronic source for Ontario legislation, visit the Access to Justice Network.
