Student therapists
Build the education and practicum foundation.
Your immediate questions usually concern program requirements, placement, scope, insurance, supervision and reliable hour tracking.
For student therapists, RP(Q)s and RPs
Navigate the path from training to independent practice.
Graduating from a psychotherapy program is a major milestone, but the steps that follow can overlap and feel unclear. This roadmap puts education, practicum, registration, supervision and clinical-experience requirements into one readable sequence.
- For
- Students, RP(Q)s and RPs
- Covers
- Education through independent practice
- Primary source
- Current public CRPO information
- Last reviewed
- September 7, 2026
Your path at a glance
From student to independent practice.
Use this seven-point overview for orientation. Select any point to open the relevant detailed stage or guide; the complete eight-stage regulatory roadmap follows below.
The overview combines closely related moments for easier orientation. The detailed roadmap keeps all eight stages separate so that education, application review and category transfer remain clear.
Start with your current status
The same journey looks different at each stage.
You do not need to solve every future requirement today. Locate where you are now, understand the next threshold, and keep the official information that supports your decision.
RP(Q)s
Complete the category-transfer requirements.
The examination, 450 accepted DCC hours and 100 accepted supervision hours are central to moving into the RP category.
RPs
Continue supervision until CRPO confirms eligibility.
Independent practice requires 1,000 accepted DCC hours and 150 accepted supervision hours in total—not only the RP title.
Before the timeline
Understanding CRPO registration and clinical supervision.
01
Registration category and independent practice are separate milestones.
RP(Q) is a registered category with ongoing supervision requirements. Moving to RP requires the examination, 450 accepted direct client contact hours and 100 accepted supervision hours. An RP continues with supervision until CRPO confirms the independent-practice totals of 1,000 DCC hours and 150 supervision hours.
02
CRPO decides whether an application and reported hours are accepted.
Education route, jurisprudence, language, professional liability insurance, currency and disclosure requirements can all be relevant. CRPO assesses applications case by case, so this roadmap organizes your work; it does not determine eligibility.
03
Clinical supervision is structured professional work.
CRPO describes supervision as a contractual relationship supporting professional growth, safe and effective practice, clinical direction and client well-being. It can be individual, dyadic or group; informal peer discussion is not accepted as clinical supervision for registration purposes.
04
A directory profile begins verification; it does not replace it.
STEP reviews profiles for its own listing process, but CRPO does not pre-approve or maintain a directory of approved supervisors. Confirm current registration, supervisor criteria, approach, availability, format, fees, documentation and fit before entering an arrangement.
The complete roadmap is free
Continue with a free verified STEP account.
View all eight detailed stages, keep the official links together and save your progress. No paid membership is required.
Important clarification
STEP provides educational organization and a public directory. It does not determine registration eligibility, accept clinical hours or speak for CRPO.
CRPO does not pre-approve or maintain a list of approved clinical supervisors. A STEP listing is not a CRPO endorsement. Confirm current criteria and your circumstances directly with CRPO, your program and the potential supervisor.
Regulatory information can change. This page was reviewed against public CRPO information on September 7, 2026; follow the official sources for the latest requirements.
When supervision is the next move
Find a potential fit, then verify the arrangement.
Browse consistent STEP profiles, compare approach and format, and contact potential supervisors directly. Before relying on an arrangement, confirm eligibility, availability, records and the requirements that apply to your stage.