Psychologist registration is a licence from a provincial or territorial regulator. You need it by law to use the title "psychologist" and to practise psychology in Canada.
Official website ↗Psychology is a regulated profession in Canada. Each province and territory has its own regulator. That regulator decides who can call themselves a psychologist and who can practise. This protects the public by making sure practitioners have the right education, training and ethics.
Registration is not a single national licence. It is issued province by province and territory by territory. The regulators work together through the Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organizations. This helps keep standards similar across the country. It also supports people who want to move their registration from one jurisdiction to another.
You need registration for many careers, including clinical psychologist, child psychologist, school psychologist, educational psychologist, neuropsychologist and research psychologist when the work involves practising psychology with the public. Some research roles that do not involve client care may not require it, but you still cannot use the title without registration.
Most regulators require a national written exam that tests broad knowledge of psychology and professional practice. Many also require an exam or assessment on local laws, ethics and professional standards. Some add an oral exam or a review of your practice. Check with your regulator for the exact requirements in your area.
You must renew your registration on a regular schedule set by your regulator. Renewal usually means paying a fee and confirming that you are still fit to practise. Most regulators also expect you to take part in ongoing professional development and report on it. If you let your registration lapse, you cannot practise or use the title until it is restored.