Standard 1.1: Responsibility Toward the College

When formally contacted in writing by the College, including by email, registrants must provide an appropriate response within 30 days. A response is appropriate if it is complete (providing all the information requested), accurate, and made in writing. A response is also appropriate if, within the 30-day period, the registrant requests and the College grants an extension based on extenuating circumstances. In this case, the registrant must provide a complete response by the extended deadline.

Promoting the continuing competence and quality improvement of registrants is an important part of the College’s role. Registrants must participate fully in all mandatory aspects of the College’s Quality Assurance Program. This includes participating in ongoing professional development, completing self-assessment and self-reporting requirements, providing evidence of professional development activities upon request, and participating in peer and practice assessments when selected to do so.

In response to a complaint or report, a registrant may be ordered by the ICRC to attend a private meeting, called a “caution”. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory. During the meeting, the registrant may be advised of a concern and given an advisory and educational warning about their conduct.

The College has sole authority to suspend a registrant’s Certificate of Registration. The suspension may result from non-payment of fees, or from the decision of a committee (e.g., the Discipline Committee). Registrants under suspension must refrain from practising psychotherapy, and must not receive any benefit or income, either directly or indirectly, from their professional status while suspended. Registrants retain appropriate financial and other records to show that they have not benefited from their professional status while suspended. During a suspension, a registrant may transfer the operation of their practice. As part of contingency planning, registrants should consider who will manage their practice in the event that they are suspended. In the vast majority of situations, registrants receive advanced notice of a potential suspension. In a very small number of cases (e.g., failure to carry professional liability insurance, urgent risk of harm to clients), CRPO may impose a suspension with little or no notice. Failure to comply with requirements relating to suspension may result in disciplinary action.

In certain circumstances, the Executive Committee may occasionally grant an exemption to allow a registrant to receive income indirectly from the practice of the profession (e.g., it would be unfair, if the registrant’s spouse is also registered with the College, to prohibit the spouse from practising during the suspension because the family will receive income from the spouse’s work). This is determined on a case-by-case basis. In applying for an exemption, the registrant must make full disclosure to the College regarding the circumstances and nature of the benefit. Approval must be granted prior to receiving the benefit.

Registrants cooperate with requests from the College in a timely manner, including providing access to facilities, records, or equipment relevant to the investigation. Registrants must also exhibit appropriate behaviour during the investigation and not subject the investigator to rude, threatening, or obstructionist behaviour. Similarly, once evidence of the appointment of a formal investigator by another college is made known to the registrant, they are obligated to cooperate with that investigator.