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Attention Grandparented Registrants: Changes to the independent practice confirmation process

By March 11, 2021March 17th, 2021News

March 11, 2021

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Moving forward, grandparented registrants will not have to provide third-party confirmation of their clinical experience hours. Instead, they can complete a formal declaration to confirm they meet the independent practice requirement.

What has changed?

Grandparenting was a time-limited, alternative route to registration meant for experienced practitioners transitioning to the newly regulated environment. The grandparenting route closed March 31, 2017. Registrants who applied through the grandparenting route were not required to provide third-party confirmation of their clinical experience hours in their original applications unless selected for audit or specifically requested by CRPO staff.

Grandparented registrants were not required to meet the independent practice requirement (1,000 direct client contact or “DCC” hours and 150 clinical supervision hours) when they applied. If they later met this requirement, they were asked to submit third-party confirmation that they had completed the required DCC and supervision hours.

Moving forward, grandparented registrants can solemnly declare that they have met the requirements for independent practice by filling out a form. This is similar to the requirements for reporting hours on the initial grandparenting application. Third-party confirmation is no longer required.

The process for registrants through the “regular” application route has not changed.

I think I meet the independent practice requirement. What do I do now to update my status?

  1. Confirm that the Public Register says your registration category is “Registered Psychotherapist” and your status is “Authorized to practise while working toward independent practice”.
    1. 1 If the status says “Authorized for independent practice”, you have already met this requirement and no further action is required.
  2. Review the relevant definitions to make sure all of your hours meet the requirements.
  3. Complete and sign the form.
  4. Email the signed form to registration@crpo.ca.
  5. Staff will send you an email once your account has been updated.

Note: It may take some time for staff to process the change. Please do not send follow-up emails as this will slow down processing times.

Why are you changing this now?

The new User Management System (UMS) makes it easier for registrants to see whether they are permitted to practise independently (that is, without clinical supervision), and which clinical experience hours have been approved. While CRPO has sent reminders for registrants to check the public register, some grandparented registrants are now realizing they need to update their information.

In many cases, grandparented registrants have already completed the required hours, but have not updated their status with the College. These registrants may no longer be in contact with their previous supervisors and may find it difficult or impossible to obtain third-party confirmation of their hours after so many years. Additionally, the new UMS makes it more difficult for staff to quickly access information related to grandparented registrants’ clinical experience hours as initially reported in the previous system.

These issues do not apply to regular route registrants, who have always been required to submit third-party confirmation of all hours.

What happens if a registrant who does not meet the independent practice requirement is practicing unsupervised or with a supervisor who does not meet CRPO’s definition?

The College relies on all registrants to self-identify whether they have met the independent practice requirement. If not, they must continue to receive supervision as required by the Professional Practice Standards. Registrants are encouraged to obtain consultation or clinical supervision as needed even if they are authorized to practise independently, for example if learning a new therapy modality or responding to client issues outside one’s area of competence. Practising without appropriate supervision could be considered professional misconduct. CRPO holds all registrants accountable for their conduct and practice.

The Registrant Portal shows that I already meet the independent practice requirement. Do I still need to submit a form?

No. Only submit a form if you do not currently meet the independent practice requirement.

I applied through the regular route. Can I use this declaration form too?

No. This is only for grandparented registrants. Registrants who applied through the regular route have always been required to submit third-party documentation.

I’m a grandparented registrant, but I haven’t completed enough hours to meet the independent practice requirement yet. What should I do?

Continue receiving supervision from someone who meets CRPO’s clinical supervisor definition. Once you have completed 1,000 DCC hours and 150 clinical supervision hours, you can use this form to confirm that you’ve met the independent practice requirement.

I don’t know if I meet the independent practice requirement. Can you tell me?

Review these definitions carefully, review your own practice history using the information you have available, and use your professional judgment. Determine whether you are confident you have completed at least 1,000 DCC hours and 150 clinical supervision hours. If you are unsure, do not sign the declaration form. CRPO staff cannot evaluate or judge whether you are eligible to practise independently.

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