February 7, 2023

After extensive consultation on the proposed bylaw amendments posted on October 27th, 2022, the College of Psychologists has made several revisions to the proposed bylaw amendments which have been posted for a further period of 30 days to provide additional time for comment.

CPBC appreciated the engagement it had with school psychologists and registered psychologists, as well as other stakeholders, who provided comments about the proposed bylaws. Consultation with the BC Association of School Psychologists was frequent and constructive and BCASP provided valuable new information through its recent surveys of its members.
Key revisions include the following changes to the proposed amendments to Part 4 of the College’s bylaws:

  • Section 46(8) (as renumbered) has been revised
    • to allow for the practice of school psychology by school psychologists outside of a learning environment setting, subject to the limitation imposed by the Psychologists Regulation amendments that will only authorize school psychologists to perform the restricted activity of school psychology diagnosis within a learning environment; and
    • in further recognition that, while all registrants (including school psychologist registrants) of the College are expected to comply with the College’s Code of Conduct in all of their professional work, regardless of what titles they may use, some school psychologists may continue to provide services within the scope another profession or occupation that they are registered, licensed or otherwise legally authorized to practise.
  • The cut-off date for the requirement for membership in BCASP for the purpose of an expedited registration application under section 46(3) has been extended from May 1, 2023 to August 1, 2023.
  • Section 46(9) (as renumbered) has been revised to allow school psychologists to use the additional title “licensed school psychologist” and the abbreviation “L.Sch.Psych.”, which reflects the terminology which will come into effect with the new Health Professions and Occupations Act anticipated coming into force before or soon after May 1, 2024.

Some commentors raised concerns about the requirement for resident graduate study included in Schedule H, however, section 46(5) of the proposed bylaws grants the registration committee the discretion to consider whether an applicant’s knowledge, skills and abilities are substantially equivalent to the established standards of academic or technical achievement and competencies.

There were also comments regarding proposed 46(1)(c) which is equivalent to section 44(1)(c) of the existing bylaws which govern applications for registered psychologist registration. Neither of these provisions has any immediate effect. These provisions are concerned only with the possibility that the CPBC Board might decide at some time in the future to establish a post-degree supervised practice requirement for applicants for both classes of registration. The Board has no current plans to establish this requirement and would provide notice should such a requirement be considered.

Included in the comments received during the 90 day period were some which were relevant to the scope of practice and restricted activity statements in the approved changes to the Psychologists Regulation. These statements have been determined by the Ministry of Health and the CPBC does not have the authority to alter them.

Some raised questions about the future eligibility of school psychologists for labour mobility under the CFTA and the NWPTA. Currently, unregulated school psychologists are unable to make application for registration in another province or territory under those labour mobility agreements. Other jurisdictions may consider future eligibility on the basis of the scope and restricted activity statements in the regulation. CPBC cannot direct the decisions of other regulators in other jurisdictions regarding their obligations under these provisions.

Further information about the revisions is available on the College website here.