Becoming an RP
How to become a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario: the steps, fees and deadlines
Facts checked against CRPO's and Ontario's official sources on October 22, 2026.
To practise psychotherapy under the title Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario you register with CRPO, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Most people go through six steps: complete a psychotherapy education program, pass CRPO's online jurisprudence module, apply, practise as an RP (Qualifying) under clinical supervision, pass the Registration Examination, and transfer to full RP once 450 direct client contact hours and 100 clinical supervision hours are approved. You have five years from your registration as an RP (Qualifying) to finish the last two.
The steps at a glance
| Step | What it involves | Fee (at the time of writing) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Education | A psychotherapy program; apply once it is substantially complete | Education assessment CAD 108 + HST if the program is not CRPO-recognized |
| 2. Jurisprudence module | Online module and a 20-question quiz | CAD 157 + HST |
| 3. Application | Online form, then payment, which submits it | CAD 173 + HST |
| 4. RP (Qualifying) | Practise under clinical supervision | Registration fees, as CRPO lists them |
| 5. Registration Examination | First attempt within 24 months of your registration as an RP (Qualifying) | CAD 545 + HST, paid to COMPASS |
| 6. Transfer to RP | Exam passed, 450 client hours, 100 supervision hours | Transfer and pro-rated registration fees |
CRPO's fees are non-refundable. Check current amounts on CRPO's application overview before you pay.
1. Education, and when to apply
CRPO asks applicants to apply once they have substantially completed their psychotherapy education. Today that means you are in your final semester, have completed 90% of your program, or have finished everything except a thesis, and no client or supervision hours are needed to apply.
From 1 January 2027 the rule tightens. Substantial completion will mean 100% of coursework completed, graduation within three months of applying, and at least 125 direct client contact hours and 30 clinical supervision hours already done. If you are close to that date, plan your application around it.
Applicants from programs CRPO does not recognize pay an education assessment fee, and CRPO says their applications usually take longer. There are also labour mobility, temporary and Indigenous pathway applications, each with its own requirements.
2. The jurisprudence module
Before you can open the application form, you enrol in and complete CRPO's jurisprudence module. You have one year from paying to finish it, and you pass with at least 15 correct answers out of 20 (75%) on its quiz. Your application must then be submitted within two years of completing it. What the module covers is in the jurisprudence guide.
3. The application
You create an account on crpo.ca, complete a short self-assessment of your application type, finish the module, fill in the form and pay; payment submits the application. CRPO processes applications in the order received and says review takes several months. Once approved, you have 30 days to pay the registration fee or the approval expires. You must hold professional liability insurance at all times as a registrant.
Applying does not let you practise the controlled act. CRPO is clear that applying for registration does not authorize anyone to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy; students do so only under an RP's supervision as part of their training. See the controlled act guide.
4. RP (Qualifying)
New registrants usually enter the Qualifying category. You practise with clinical supervision, must be actively working towards the exam and your clinical hours, and use the title Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) or RP (Qualifying); CRPO accepts no other abbreviation. The supervision requirements are set out in RP (Qualifying) to RP.
5. The Registration Examination
The exam is offered twice a year, in spring and fall, online. Your first attempt must be no later than 24 months after you were registered as an RP (Qualifying). You have three attempts, and the third must be made within five years of that registration. Its format is in the exam format guide.
6. Transfer to RP
You become eligible to transfer when you have passed the exam and CRPO staff have approved 450 direct client contact hours and 100 clinical supervision hours, at least half of the supervision individual or dyadic. From the date you become eligible you have 30 days to request the transfer and pay; missing it brings a late fee and, eventually, an administrative suspension.
The library module The Legal Framework explains the laws behind each step. If the exam is your next step, the free diagnostic shows where to focus.
Common questions
How long does it take to become an RP in Ontario?
After your program, CRPO's review takes several months, and from your registration as an RP (Qualifying) you have up to five years to pass the exam and complete your hours. Many finish sooner; the pace depends mostly on how fast you build 450 client hours.
Can I practise psychotherapy while my application is pending?
Not the controlled act on your own. Applying does not authorize it. Students may perform it under the clinical supervision of an RP as part of their program.
Do I need clinical hours before applying?
Not if you apply before 1 January 2027. From that date, applicants need at least 125 direct client contact hours and 30 clinical supervision hours.
What happens if I miss the 24-month exam deadline?
The first attempt is due within 24 months of your registration as an RP (Qualifying). CRPO's page on the Qualifying category says exceptions may be made in exceptional circumstances, commonly parental leave, family emergencies and serious illness, so contact CRPO before the deadline passes.