Three-strikes rule for psychologist licensing exam in Alberta faces opposition

Changes to Alberta's psychologist licensing rules are sparking debate, as hundreds petition to scrap a three-strikes policy for the professional exam.

In 2023, the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) capped the number of attempts allowed on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Now, hundreds have signed a petition asking it to undo the change, calling it overly punitive — particularly for those from marginalized backgrounds.

Provisional psychologists in Alberta have three attempts to pass the exam within five years of their initial registration. The CAP policy permits a fourth attempt in some extenuating circumstances, by request and at its discretion.

Brenda Desjarlais's hopes of becoming a psychologist were dashed after using her last attempt in December. 

"They're messing with people's careers and their lives by putting so much weight on one exam," Desjarlais said in an interview with CBC.

Desjarlais is a registered counselling therapist in Red Deer, Alta., and a member of Paul First Nation. 

She said she failed the exam once before the cap was introduced, and three more times since 2023 amidst a flurry of extenuating circumstances, including financial barriers, the death of multiple family members, and caregiving duties for her granddaughter who was experiencing severe mental health issues. 

Desjarlais estimates she has spent close to $8,000 over the years in exam fees and study materials. She said needing to take the exam before her provisional status expired was a significant source of anxiety for her during that time.

CBC obtained a copy of the letter CAP had sent Dejarlais. It said that because the maximum number of attempts had been used, she is "not eligible to re-apply for registration as a provisional psychologist in the future."

In Ontario, candidates have four attempts in a 12-month period — a rule the petition asks CAP to replicate. That is also the standard used by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.

Dr. Richard Spelliscy, the CEO of the college, told CBC the new rules protect the public.

"Individuals who write that exam multiple times over a span of several years, we do not believe that that instills confidence in the public that those individuals are able to provide safe and effective services," Spelliscy said.

Dr. Troy Janzen, deputy registrar for CAP, said it is a small group of people impacted — their estimate over an eight-year period is that 1.6 per cent of people fail a fourth time.

A spokesperson for the provincial Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services said in a statement that health profession regulatory colleges, such as the College of Alberta Psychologists, have the authority to govern their professions in a way that serves the public interest.

Representation

But others argue it's more a measure of test-taking skills than real life practice — and those rules disproportionately impact under-represented groups.

"I think it's very clear and obvious that the EPPP, like most other things in the discipline of psychology, creates kind of a homogenized group of people who work in the field," Dr. Suzanne Stewart, a psychologist at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto said.

Stewart, who is Indigenous, said that the exam itself is biased and lacks cultural sensitivity. She added that the time and financial resources needed to take the test pose a further barrier.

A 2018 report from a Canadian Psychological Association estimated there were fewer than 12 Indigenous psychologists practising or teaching in Canada.

Desjarlais was hoping to add to those numbers, and serve her community as a fully registered psychologist. She said as a counselling therapist she cannot bill First Nations people who don't have private insurance.

"I feel sad," she said. "I can't meet the needs of the more marginalized First Nations people."

A cooling-off period

Spelliscy said the college amended its policy further earlier this year, allowing a reapplication after a five-year cooling-off period and additional education, such as a doctorate degree. 

That update is not listed publicly and resources and correspondence from the association in recent months make no mention of it.

Janzen said that change may not be well known to all of the individuals who are impacted yet — but there is a plan to communicate to them individually. 

A CAP spokesperson told CBC in an email that the change will come into effect in September 2025 — and the bylaws will be posted at that point in time.

This will be discussed alongside the concerns raised in the petition in a board meeting on Friday.