Resigning or Moving to an Inactive or Retired Certificate

Members who hold a Certificate of Registration Authorizing Autonomous Practice, but intend to cease practicing on either a temporary or permanent basis have several options.

Inactive Certificate – Annual Fee $298

This Certificate is intended for members who wish to temporarily cease offering psychological services or supervising those who do.  Members with an Inactive Certificate may return to autonomous practice within two years by paying the prorated fee for the year of return. After two years, the request is automatically referred to the Registration Committee.

Since it is anticipated that Inactive Certificate holders will return to Autonomous Practice, they must participate in the Quality Assurance Program by completing the Self-Assessment Guide and documenting their Continuing Professional Development.  If you have any questions on these programs for members with an Inactive Certificate, please contact our Practice Advisor/ Quality Assurance Coordinator at 416-961-8817 ext. 300 or email practiceadvice@cpo.on.ca . 

As per the Standards of Professional Conduct, 2017, members with an Inactive Certificate may continue to use their professional title followed by the term “Inactive”:

6.1 (c)    any of the following applicable limitations must immediately follow a member’s title: “Supervised Practice”, “Retired” or “Inactive”.

It is suggested that members who move to an Inactive Certificate change to their College contact email if they will not be monitoring their work email.

The Change Request Form can be found by logging into your account and clicking on Certificate Change/Resignation in the left side menu.

More information on returning to autonomous practice can be found here.

Retired Certificate – $62.50

This Certificate is intended for members who are retiring from practice but wish to maintain their membership and an affiliation with the profession. Members with this certificate may not offer services or supervise those who do.  There is no Quality Assurance requirement.

As per the Standards of Professional Conduct 2017, members with a retired certificate may continue to use their title, “Psychologist” or “Psychological Associate” followed by the term “Retired”:

6.1 (c)    any of the following applicable limitations must immediately follow a member’s title: “Supervised Practice”, “Retired” or “Inactive”.

Any request to return to Autonomous Practice is automatically referred to the Registration Committee.

NEW: Effective June 1, 2021, members with this Certificate are permitted to teach psychology classes, not to include supervision of student’s clinical work.

The Change Request Form can be found by logging into your account and clicking on Certificate Change/Resignation in the left side menu

Resignation

A member who resigns from the College may not offer psychological services or supervise those who do.  In addition, they may not use of title “Psychologist” or “Psychological Associate” and acknowledge the following:

1. As of the effective date, I will not be authorized to offer psychological services or supervise those who do in the province of Ontario, nor will I have access to:

  • the designation “C.Psych.” or “C.Psych.Assoc.”;
  • the title “Psychologist” or “Psychological Associate”; or
  • the terms “psychology” or “psychological”. (Psychology Act, 1991)

2. the use of the title “doctor” or any variation in the course of providing or offering to provide health care to individuals. (RHPA s.33)

3. If I choose to return to the practice of psychology in Ontario in the future, I will have to meet the registration requirements in place at that time.

4. After I resign, I remain subject to the jurisdiction of the College of Psychologists for any breaches of professional conduct referable to the time I was a member of the College. (RHPA Sched.2, s.14)

The Resignation Form can be found by logging into your account and clicking on Certificate Change/Resignation in the left side menu

Please Note:

  • Members who wish to change their certificate are asked to complete and submit the request before renewing. The form must be received by the College in order for the desired certificate and the appropriate invoice to be updated on your account.
  • The date for a Certificate change may be made effective part way through the registration year and the fees will be prorated for the year.
  • A Certificate change cannot be done retroactively or back dated. The effective date cannot be prior to the day the Form is received by the College.