How long does it take to become a psychologist in Canada?

Overall, it takes approximately five to eight years after receiving a bachelor's degree to obtain a Ph. D. in psychology. A master's degree usually takes two to three years to complete, followed by an additional four to six years for a doctoral degree.

How hard is it to be a psychologist?

Clinical psychologists must have a doctorate, either a Ph. D. or a Psy D., and usually require training to get licensure to practice, commonly taking one or two years. In total, it could take up to ten years to become a licensed clinical psychologist.

How to Become a Psychologist in Canada

If you want to dive into the fantastic world of human psychology, discover its many wonders, and challenge yourself, consider studying psychology in Canada. Psychology is a vast and intriguing field of study with well-paying jobs in Canada. Psychologists are among the most in-demand professionals in Canada. Take this opportunity to learn everything about how to become a psychologist with our step-by-step guide.

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Are Psychologists in Demand in Canada Right Now?

According to Job Bank Canada, this occupation is expected to face a strong risk of labour shortage over the period of 2024-2033 at the national level. This means that there will probably not be enough skilled professionals between 2024 and 2033. There is a high probability that the demand for psychology professionals will be greater than the supply of available and qualified professionals. So, if you are thinking about working as a psychologist in Canada, this could be a good opportunity, because:

There may be more job openings.

Employers could offer better salaries to attract new professionals.

Are Psychologists in Demand in Canada Right Now?

According to Job Bank Canada, this occupation is expected to face a strong risk of labour shortage over the period of 2024-2033 at the national leve

What Can You Do with a Psychology Degree in Canada?

Ready to discover diverse psychology career paths? Psychology is a diverse field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. From clinical work to forensic investigation, here are some of the most exciting career paths available in psychology in Canada!

Degree Level	Job Title	Sector
Bachelor’s	Social Work Assistant, Intake Worker	Social Services, Healthcare
Master’s	Social Worker (MSW), Behavioural Therapist	Healthcare, Community Services
Doctorate (PhD or PsyD)	Psychology Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist	Academic, Clinical, Legal/Justice

Social work is a practice-based profession aimed at reducing or eliminating poverty, gender inequalities, discrimination, unemployment, domestic violence, and other adverse occurrences in society. However, social workers in Canada not only dedicate their time to addressing these negative occurrences but also promote development, change, healthy living, and more.

The duties of a social worker in different settings vary. However, some of a social worker's primary responsibilities are here.

Research

Social policy analysis

Health promotions

Community capacity building

Therapy & counseling

Military social worker
Disability social worker
Criminal justice social worker
Child and family social worker
Environmental social worker
International social worker
Mental health and substance abuse social worker
Medical and public health social workers

Psychology Professors

Psychology is a vast field of study; hence, it takes expert knowledge, experience, and the ability to effectively share knowledge with others to become a qualified psychology professor. Naturally, the significant difference between a psychology bachelor's degree holder and a psychology university professor is the level of expertise gained through education and other forms of training. As a psychology professor, you must be an expert in your field to effectively and accurately pass your knowledge on to others.

What Does a Psychology Professor Do?

The duties of a psychology professor will depend on the job position. However, they can lecture in universities to conduct research. Some of the psychology professor's primary responsibilities are:

Teach students in various specializations to determine their academic performance.

Design teaching curriculum and course content.

Research topics within the field and contribute to article publication.

Offer counseling and other support to students on issues regarding their school work.

What are the Types of Psychology Professors in Canada

School Psychology Professor
Philosophy Professor
Behavioral Science Professor
Applied Psychology Professor
Psychological Science Professor

Behavioral psychologists

Behavioral therapy in Canada is a form of therapy that uses a wide range of techniques to identify and change negative and potentially harmful behaviors. These professionals can help their patients foster healthier thinking patterns and behaviors.

What Does a Behavioural Therapist Do?

Some of the behavioral therapist's primary responsibilities are:

Provide cognitive behavioral therapy to individuals.

Identifying negative or irrational thought patterns.

Establish treatment goals and follow-up.

Participate in training and professional development.

Help develop skills to manage everyday life.

What are the Types of Behavioural Therapy in Canada

Cognitive behavior therapy
Cognitive behavioral play therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Rational emotive behavioral therapy
Exposure therapy

A teenager wearing a purple sweatshirt talking during his therapy session. — "Become a passionate student to practice signing skills during a psychology classroom session." Source: Unsplash

Forensic Psychologists

A forensic psychologist practices psychology in the criminal justice sector and civil courts. They study why people behave in specific ways that lead them to crime. Forensic psychology in Canada is a fascinating career choice. When becoming a forensic psychologist, you can expect a positive job outlook, multiple specialization opportunities, a versatile work environment, and diverse educational opportunities.

What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?

Forensic psychologists are involved in various civil and criminal matters. They do their best to apply the principles and knowledge of psychology to narrow down the suspect list for a specific crime. Some of the Forensic psychologist's primary responsibilities are:

Diagnosis of psychopathological disorders.

Search for the relationship between disorder and criminal act.

Prediction of dangerousness and criminal risk.

Determination of the criminal profile

Identification of drug addictions and drug dependencies

Identification of damages and sequels

What are the Types of Forensic psychology in Canada

Forensic psychologist
Jury consultant
Forensic scientist
Special agent expert
Clinical psychologist
Forensic evaluator
Criminologist
Detective

Average Psychologist Salary in Canada (By Province)

In Canada, according to Canada Talent, the average salary expectation of a psychologist is $110,058 per year or $56.44 per hour. However, salary may vary due to province, cost of living, type of psychology job, expertise level, education level, gender, and skills.

Province	Average Salary Psychologist Canada (CAD)
Ontario	$98,000
British Columbia	$94,000
Alberta	$102,000
Quebec	$85,000

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What Skills Do You Need to Succeed in Psychology?

To succeed as a psychologist, you'll need way more than just academic knowledge. A career in psychology demands a combination of analytical, emotional, and interpersonal skills. Discover the key abilities a successful psychologist must have:

Empathy and active listening
You must genuinely care about others and be able to listen without judgment.

Critical thinking
Psychologists evaluate research, interpret data and diagnose complex problems.

Ethical and cultural awareness
Psychologists follow strict ethical codes and must respect cultural, religious and personal differences.

Problem-solving and decision-making
You will often be asked to identify root causes, evaluate options, and help clients in making informed decisions.

Research and data analysis
In clinical, academic, or forensic settings, an understanding of statistics, study design, and evidence-based practice is essential.

Steps to Become a Psychologist in Canada

🧠A Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

Completing a Bachelor's Degree in Canada represents the first mandatory academic step to become a psychologist in the country. This degree is essential for accessing postgraduate studies, which are required for professional practice.

🎓Masters Degree in Psychology or related

A Master's Degree in psychology in Canada typically requires two years of full-time study following a Bachelor's degree. This program offers an extensive education in psychology, complemented by practical experience. Completion of a Master's Degree is a good option if you want to work in a public service context, healthcare, or academia.

🧑‍🏫A Ph.D.

A Doctor of Philosophy degree typically takes five to seven years to complete. If you are interested in clinical practice, you will get the experience of practicing at a clinical service under the supervision of a doctor. You can also consider a Ph.D. if you want to focus on research.

🤝Supervised Internship

You usually have to complete a 1-year full-time supervised internship after you achieve your Ph.D. (or Master's). During the internship, you will get practical clinical experience.

📝Registration/License with the regulatory college in your province

You will then need to register with your provincial regulatory college, where you will submit your academic and clinical training records. You will then pass the EPPP (a nationally recognized licensing exam) after your records have been approved to refer to yourself as a licensed Psychologist in that province.

Canadian regulatory bodies of psychology

Like other healthcare professionals, psychologists must be licensed to practice psychology in Canada. Licensure to practice is granted by regulatory bodies in each Canadian jurisdiction.

Timeline

Bachelor's Degree (BA/BSc)

4 years

Master's Degree (MA/MSc)

2 years (optional or transitional in many cases)

Ph.D. or PsyD in Psychology

5–7 years

Supervised Internship

1 year full-time, or 1,500 to 1,600 hours

Registration/License with the regulatory college in your province

Typically 6–12 months, depending on the province and exam schedules.

Licensing Requirements: Province-by-Province Breakdown

To work as a licensed Psychologist in Canada, each province or territory has its own rules. But generally, you'll need:

Education - Usually a Doctorate (PhD or PsyD). Some provinces accept a Master's.

Supervised Practice - Around 1 year of practical training (1,500–1,600 hours approx).

Exams - Most provinces require the EPPP, and sometimes an oral exam is also required.

🧠 What is the EPPP? The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology is a standardized exam used across North America to assess your knowledge of psychology.

✅Quick Provincial Breakdown

Province/Territory	Degree Required	Supervised Practice	Exams
Ontario	PhD/PsyD (Psychologist), Master’s (Associate)	1,500 h post-doc	EPPP + Ethics (JEE) + Oral
Québec	PhD/PsyD only	700 h + 1,600 h internship	OPQ exam (no EPPP), French
British Columbia	PhD/PsyD	1,600 h CPA internship	EPPP + oral + ethics
Alberta	Master's or Doctorate	1,600 h + 107 h supervision	EPPP + LEAP (local law & ethics)
Saskatchewan	Master’s or Doctorate	1,500 h	EPPP + oral + extra for diagnosis
Manitoba	Doctorate (Psychologist), Master’s (Associate)	1,500 h	EPPP + law + oral
New Brunswick	Doctorate only	1,600 h	EPPP + oral + law
Nova Scotia	Master’s or Doctorate	1,600 h	EPPP + oral ethics
Newfoundland & Labrador	Master’s or Doctorate	1,600 h	EPPP + law
Prince Edward Island	Doctorate (Psychologist), Master’s (Associate)	1,600 h internship	EPPP + oral + ethics
Yukon (2025)	Master’s or Doctorate	1,600 h	EPPP + Yukon law
Northwest Territories	Master’s or Doctorate	1,600 h	EPPP + NWT law
Nunavut	Master’s or Doctorate	1,600 h	EPPP + Nunavut law

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Aria Young

Aria Young is a freelance writer and editor. Over the past years, she has written content on education, business and family.

Is Psychology a Good Career in Canada - Where to Start!

Are Psychologists in Demand in Canada Right Now?