Steps To Become A Psychologist In New Brunswick

To become a psychologist in New Brunswick, you must register with the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick. The minimum educational requirement to be eligible for licensing is a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD) in clinical, school, or counseling psychology. However, there are exceptions for masters-level psychologists who were licensed before July 1, 2020. Psychologists with a master's or doctoral degree licensed by another regulatory body in Canada are also eligible to apply for a transfer of their license. New Brunswick is home to two doctoral training programs that meet the minimum educational requirements for licensing in the province: a PhD Program in Clinical Psychology at the University of New Brunswick and a PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at l’Université de Moncton.

Registration with the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick

The College of Psychologists of New Brunswick (CPNB) is the regulatory body for psychologists in the province. The CPNB was established in 1980 with the passing of the College of Psychologists Act by the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. The CPNB has the authority to regulate the professional practice of psychology in the province and ensure that all people in New Brunswick have access to high-quality psychological services.

To become a registered psychologist in New Brunswick, you must meet the educational and training requirements set by the CPNB. These requirements include:

• Obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited institution.
• Completing a supervised internship or residency program.
• Passing the CPNB's oral exam and interview.
• Paying the required fees, including application and registration fees.

In addition to the above, international applicants may have additional requirements, such as demonstrating proficiency in English or French and providing evidence of their qualifications.

It is important to note that the registration process may be updated from time to time, so it is recommended to check the CPNB website for the most current information and to contact the CPNB directly with any questions.

Once you have successfully completed the registration process, you will be able to practise psychology in New Brunswick and use the title of "Psychologist." The CPNB also offers temporary registration for psychologists from other jurisdictions and interim membership for new graduates.

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD) in clinical, school or counselling psychology

To become a psychologist in New Brunswick, you will need to pursue a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. or PsyD, in clinical, school, or counselling psychology. This typically involves completing a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

The specific requirements for these degrees can vary, but generally, you will need to have a master's degree in psychology or a related field, and in some cases, field experience may be required. Doctoral programs often consist of coursework, practicum, and pre-doctoral internships, and can take around four years of full-time study to complete. During your program, you will develop advanced research skills and contribute original research to the field through a dissertation.

The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton offers a Ph.D. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Additionally, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, offers a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree.

Masters level psychologists: Licensed by the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick before July 1, 2020

To become a psychologist in New Brunswick, you must be registered with the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick. While the minimum educational requirement to be eligible for licensing is a doctoral degree, there are some exceptions for Masters-level psychologists.

If you are a Masters-level psychologist who was licensed by the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick before July 1, 2020, you will retain your license to practice. This is because the Psychologists Act allows for the grandfathering of existing Masters-level psychologists to remain on the register, despite changes in the minimum educational standard to a doctoral degree.

If you are not already licensed to practice as a psychologist by the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick, you will need to obtain a doctoral degree to become licensed.

International applicants: Apply for temporary registration

To become a psychologist in New Brunswick, international applicants must meet certain requirements. Here is a step-by-step guide for international applicants seeking temporary registration as psychologists in New Brunswick:

• Complete the ICD Credentials Evaluation: The first step is to undergo an evaluation of your credentials by the International Credentialing Development (ICD) service. This evaluation will result in a comprehensive report that assesses your qualifications.
• Request Report Submission: Once you have obtained the ICD report, you must request that the ICD sends this report to the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick (CPNB). This report will serve as evidence that your degree and training meet the standards required for registration in New Brunswick.
• Apply for Temporary Registration: After the CPNB has received your ICD report, you can proceed to apply for temporary registration with the College. The CPNB may issue a courtesy license for up to 21 days per calendar year, allowing you to practice psychology in New Brunswick on a temporary basis. It is important to note that these 21 days need not be continuous, and there is no fee for the courtesy license.
• Provide Necessary Information: Ensure that all the required information is submitted before your application is reviewed. This includes confirmation of your standing as a licensed psychologist in good standing in another jurisdiction.
• Meet Educational Requirements: To be eligible for registration or licensure as a psychologist in New Brunswick, international applicants must possess a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology. This should include extensive supervised practice experience in the form of practica and a full-time 12-month internship.
• Address Deficiencies: In some cases, if the CPNB identifies minor deficiencies in your coursework, internship, or research background, you may be allowed to undertake additional coursework or training to meet their requirements. Ensure that any undertakings are done in consultation with the CPNB to ensure they meet their specific standards.

By following these steps, international applicants can pursue temporary registration as psychologists in New Brunswick. It is important to refer to the CPNB website for the most up-to-date and detailed information regarding the registration process and requirements.

Oral exam/interview dates

To become a psychologist in New Brunswick, you must pass an oral examination/interview as part of your licensure. The College of Psychologists of New Brunswick requires applicants to receive a score of 70% on the EPPP exam and pass an oral examination/interview to become licensed psychologists.

The oral exam/interview dates are set by the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick, and candidates must meet certain deadlines to be invited to the exams/interviews. For instance, the deadline to request an invitation for the June 13 and 14, 2024, oral exams/interviews was March 29, 2024.

To be invited to the oral exam/interview, interim members must complete all requirements for licensure, including supervision and EPPP, and communicate their request to the Assistant Registrar, Renée Turner, at least two weeks before the Registration Committee meeting that precedes the oral exams/interviews. The fee for the oral exam/interview is $360.

Frequently asked questions