1. Considering and approving supervision plans.
2. Considering applications for registration as a Provisional Psychologist.
3. Considering applications for registration as a Psychologist.
4. Considering applications for registration as a Courtesy Registrant.
5. Considering applications for renewals of practice permits upon the request of the Registrar.

The Committee meets in panels up to eight times yearly and as a full committee twice yearly in April and October. No meetings are held in March or July. Members are asked to attend both full committee meetings and a minimum of two panel meetings over the course of the year.

The Registration Approvals Sub-Committee reviews the files of applicants throughout all stages of the registration process—from initial application following academic approval through to the final evaluation of supervised practice, references, registration verifications; and is the committee responsible for adjudicating whether an applicant is ready to be issued a permit for independent practice as a psychologist.

The Committee provides written notice and reasons for all decisions made as required by the Health Professions Act.

The Credentials Evaluation Sub-Committee reviews applications for the evaluation of academic credentials of psychologists and Ph.D./Doctoral credentials. The Committee determines if the candidate’s qualifications meet the criteria established in legislation and regulation, and documents its decisions.

The Committee meets in panels a minimum of four times yearly. One full committee meeting is held yearly. Members are asked to attend the full panel meeting and three out of four panel sittings per year. Meetings are generally scheduled for four hours, however, the length of meetings varies depending on the number of files being reviewed.

Committee members review the credentials of applicants applying from Albertan, Canadian and Foreign (US and Non-US) institutions. Members use the established criteria to evaluate all applications to determine if the applicant meets core and substantive content areas defined in the criteria and has obtained the number of psychological credits required. Foreign applicants often provide an assessment of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS) to assist the Committee in evaluating their credentials. Written notice and reasons for all decisions made are provided by the Committee as required by the Health Professions Act.

The Oral Examinations Committee is responsible for conducting oral examinations of candidates for registration as psychologists to assess that the candidate demonstrates a minimum standard of competence for independent practice, and a minimum standard of knowledge and judgment in matters of jurisprudence and ethics. The oral examination is the College’s mechanism to assess the core competency of Ethics and Standards.

Oral examinations are conducted by panels of three examiners. Each exam is scheduled for approximately 90 minutes. The examinations are scheduled over the course of a week, four times yearly in January, April, June and October.

Oral Examiners use standardized interview questions as well as work samples provided by candidates in the examination.

The committee provides written notice and reasons for all decisions made as required by the Health Professions Act.

Hearing Tribunals / Complaint Review Committees:

The College is requried to appoint a number of members to a roster from which the Hearings Director may appoint Hearing Tribunals and Complaint Review Committees as required under the Health Professions Act.

Hearing Tribunals conduct hearings into allegations of unprofessional conduct against psychologists. Complaint Review Committee panels are appointed by the Hearings Director to conduct reviews of decisions to dismiss complaints under s. 68 of the Act, and to review and ratify settlements arising from alternative complaint resolution as outlined in s. a60 of the Act.

Panels comprised of two members from the roster and one public member appointed by Alberta Health and Wellness are arranged as needed. The time commitment varies depending on the circumstances of the particular case. Hearings generally are scheduled for 2 days and they are always conducted in person. Reviews of complaint dismissals generally take 2 - 3 hours and the panel may choose to meet in person or via teleconference.

The Registration Advisory Committee is a standing committee that acts in an advisory capacity to the Council of the College.

The Committee’s mandate is to review all aspects of the registration process and make recommendations to Council. The Committee meets generally four times yearly.

• Reviewing and amending various registration policies and the Standards for Supervision
• Establishing an ad hoc committee to develop guidelines for assessing substantial equivalencies (as per section 28(2) of the Health Professions Act
• Establishing an ad hoc committee to develop a framework for ensuring and maintaining competent supervision for provisional psychologists

The Registration Advisory Committee is a non-adjudicative committee. From time to time ad hoc committees are formed to address specific issues. Expertise from College members is always appreciated

The Practice Advisory Committee is a standing committee that acts in an advisory capacity to the Council of the College. The Committee’s mandate is to advise Council on matters of psychological practice and continuing competence.

The Committee meets approximately 6 times a year for 4 hours.

• Continued development of the mandatory Continuing Competence Program for the College
• Undertaking a comprehensive review of the Standards of Practice
• Reviewing several of the professional guidelines for psychologists, including Child Custody, Working withy Minors and Dependent Adults.
• Creating a new guideline on Informed Consent
• Issuing several Practice Bulletins for members
• Providing consultation and input into practice issues as they arise

The Practice Advisory Committee is a non-adjudicative committee. From time to time ad hoc committees are formed to address specific issues. Expertise from College members is always appreciated in the work of the committees.