October 27, 2022

Notice of Proposal to Amend College of Psychologists of BC Bylaws

The College of Psychologists of British Columbia (CPBC) is proposing amendments to its bylaws in response to the Ministry of Health’s recently approved changes to the Psychologists Regulation that will remove the exemption for non-registrant use of the title “school psychologist” and will require all school psychologists to be registrants of CPBC after May 1, 2024. The changes to the Psychologists Regulation will also establish the restricted activities of psychology diagnosis and school psychology diagnosis for registered psychologists and school psychologists respectively.

The College’s proposed bylaw amendments are subject to the notice requirement described in section 19(6.2) of the Health Professions Act. Notice is hereby provided to the public, the Ministry of Health and other interested stakeholders of the amendments.

The amendments include the following changes:

  • In Part 1: College Board, Committees and Panels
    • the composition of the College Board will be modified to replace one of the six current registered psychologist board member positions with a school psychologist board member, effective January 1, 2025.
    • registered psychologist registrants in good standing will continue to be eligible to vote or be elected in an election for a registered psychologist board member position, and school psychologist registrants in good standing will be eligible to vote or be elected in an election for the school psychologist registrant board member position.
    • election procedures will be modified to provide for the election of the first school psychologist board member in December 2024, and for subsequent elections for that position every third year thereafter.
    • school psychologist registrants in good standing will be eligible to serve as members of College committees.
    • a discipline panel appointed to hear a matter in which the respondent is a current or former school psychologist registrant may include a school psychologist registrant.
  • Part 2: College Administration
    • school psychologist registrants will be eligible to vote at College general meetings or to request introduction of resolutions, and will be included in the quorum requirement.
  • Part 4: Registration
    • conditions and requirements will be established for new applicants for school psychologist registration, including:
      • successful completion of a master’s degree in psychology with supporting documentation;
      • successful completion of a school psychology internship;
      • successful completion of the National School Psychology Examination, a College Readiness for Practice Examination, and a Written Jurisprudence Exam;
      • any other evidence the registration committee may require to establish that an applicant meets criteria for core competencies and foundational knowledge in school psychology detailed in in Schedule I.1;
      • evidence satisfactory to the registration committee of English language proficiency, criminal record check requirements, letters of good standing from any other jurisdiction where the applicant is or has been entitled to practise, and letters of reference regarding character, fitness to practise and competence.
    • an expedited process will be established for registration of existing school psychologists holding active membership in BCASP, with conditions and requirements including:
      • initiating their application before November 1, 2023, to allow time for processing by May 1, 2024;
      • evidence of the applicant’s membership in BCASP in good standing, as of May 1, 2023, without limitations, conditions or restrictions on the applicant’s rights as an active member of BCASP;
      • successful completion of the Written Jurisprudence Examination;
      • attendance as required at orientation workshops;
      • evidence satisfactory to the registration committee of English language proficiency, criminal record check requirements, letters of good standing from any other jurisdiction where the applicant is or has been entitled to practise, and letters of reference regarding character, fitness to practise and competence.
    • school psychologist registrants will be authorized to provide the services of a school psychologist as described in Schedule H.1 in the course of their employment with, or performance of duties under contract, in the public school system, at an independent school, or at a university, college or other acceptable post-secondary institutions.
  • Schedule H: Criteria for Evaluating Degrees, Programs of Study (including Practica), and Internships
    • a new Part II will be added to Schedule H to outline the institutional, coursework, program characteristics, program content, and supervised experience criteria to be applied to the evaluation of a master’s program of study as part of the requirements for registration as a school psychologist.
  • Schedule I.1: Core Competencies for School Psychologists
    • this new Schedule will be added to the bylaws to detail the core competencies expected of school psychologists, including expected competencies for data-based decision making; consultation and collaboration; academic interventions and instructional supports; mental and behavioral health support; school-wide practices to promote learning; services to support safe and supportive schools; family, school, and community collaboration; diverse student populations; research and evidence-based practice; and legal, ethical, and professional practice.

Copies of the proposed amendments are available through the following links:

https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/docs/PNA/Proposed%20Bylaw%20Amendments.pdf

https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/docs/PNA/Proposed%20Amendments%20to%20Schedule%20A.pdf

https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/docs/PNA/Proposed%20Amendments%20to%20Schedule%20C.pdf

https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/docs/PNA/Proposed%20Amendments%20to%20Schedule%20H.pdf

https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/docs/PNA/Proposed%20New%20Schedule%20I.1.pdf

The proposed schedule of amendments will be posted for three months (until January 30, 2023) to provide time for comments. All comments will be considered by both the College and the Ministry of Health. If you prefer, you may provide comments directly to the Ministry of Health. Please see contact information below.

Notice Date: October 27, 2022

Deadline for comments: January 30, 2023

College of Psychologists

Email addressed to the Registrar at feedback@collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca

By fax at 604-736-6133

Ordinary mail:   Registrar

College of Psychologists of British Columbia
#404 – 1755 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6J 4S5

Ministry of Health

Complete the online MoH feedback form

Email the Executive Director, Professional Regulation & Oversight Branch at PROREGADMIN@gov.bc.ca

Ordinary mail:   Executive Director, Professional Regulation & Oversight Branch

Ministry of Health, Health Sector Workforce Division
1515 Blanshard Street
PO Box 9649 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9P4