Becoming a Psychologist

The practice of professional psychology is regulated by Quebec's Professional Code (R.S.Q., c. C-26). The admission procedures described in this section provide applicants with the information they need and outline the steps they must follow to comply with the requirements for issue of a permit within the meaning of the law (Professional Code and related regulations).

Admission

To be eligible for membership in the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, you must meet the requirements set out in the Quebec Professional Code and the Order’s Regulations, that is, you must: 

Possess a Doctoral degree in psychology; these diplomas must be recognized by the legislation as giving access to a permit from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec
or
obtain recognition of equivalence of diplomas or training under the Regulation respecting standards for equivalence of diplomas for the issue of a permit by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec
and
pass a course pertaining to the Code of Ethics equivalent to a course lasting at least 45 hours offered by the Order, as provided by the Regulation respecting the terms and conditions for the issue of permits by the Ordre professionnel des psychologues du Québec
and
have sufficient knowledge of the French language, as required by the Professional Code and the Quebec Charter of the French Language. An individual is deemed to have such knowledge if he or she has:

  • completed at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary education in French;
  • passed the Secondary IV or V French mother tongue examinations;
  • obtained, after 1985, a certificate of secondary studies in Quebec.

Any person who does not meet the above conditions, must obtain certification from the Office de la langue française by passing its examination.

However, as mentioned in article 37 of the Quebec Charter of the French Language :

"Professional orders may deliver temporary permits, valid for no more than one year, to applicants from outside of Quebec that are declared able to practice their profession but aren't able to meet the requirements of article 35 regarding the knowledge of the official language."

Recognized Universities

The following universities offer training in psychology. The diplomas issued by these institutions are also recognized by the relevant legislation for purposes of applying to the Ordre des psychologues du Québec for the issue of a permit.

Montreal Region

Concordia University

McGill University

Université de Montréal

Université du Québec à Montréal

Université de Sherbrooke (Longueuil Campus)

Outside of Montreal

Université Laval

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Université de Sherbrooke