Telepractice & cross-border work

The general principle is easy to state and easy to get wrong: it is usually the client’s location that governs, not the practitioner’s. The hard part is that regulators do not agree on what follows from it. Two colleges in the same province can take materially different positions on whether an out-of-province practitioner needs to register before seeing a client here.

The matrix below records each regulator’s actual position, quoted verbatim, along with whether it sits in an enforceable standard or in guidance — a distinction worth keeping, because “the college’s website says” and “the college’s standard requires” are not the same obligation.

8 records traced and verified for Telepractice, across 3 jurisdictions. Every row below carries its own source and last-verified date.

Telepractice — obligations by jurisdiction and profession, each sourced to its primary text and dated to the last check against it.
Jurisdiction	Applies to	The rule	Status	Last verified	Source & citation
Nova Scotia	Counselling therapist	NSCCT registrants may provide telecounselling to clients resident anywhere in Canada. NSCCT treats 'practice' as occurring in the jurisdiction where the THERAPIST is registered, not where the client sits, and retains oversight regardless of physical location or delivery mode. An NSCCT registrant serving out-of-province clients must: tell clients they are located in Nova Scotia and regulated by NSCCT, and give the College's website, email and phone; obtain confirmation from the regulator in the client's province that its rules permit the service, and abide by any limits it sets unless they conflict with NSCCT's standards; practise telecounselling as an RCT-Candidate only with the candidacy supervisor's clear agreement; ensure liability insurance covers out-of-province telecounselling; and ensure the platform is PIPEDA-compliant AND hosted on servers holding data exclusively within Canada. Conversely, therapists registered elsewhere in regulated Canadian provinces may serve Nova Scotian clients WITHOUT registering with NSCCT, provided they comply with their home regulator's requirements and disclose their location and regulator. Persons from non-regulated provinces may not use the protected titles or advertise 'counselling therapy' to Nova Scotians. Vendor-facing: Telecounselling platforms used by NSCCT registrants must be secure and PIPEDA-compliant, and must host data exclusively on servers within Canadian jurisdiction. NSCCT states it cannot recommend or advise on the suitability of any particular platform.	In Force	2026-08-17	NSCCT Interjurisdictional Telecounselling (Canada) — Counselling Practice Policy, Policy; Practice Expectations 1-3 Show statutory text "The NSCCT maintains jurisdiction and regulatory oversight of all Registered Counselling Therapists (RCTs) and Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidates (RCTs) regardless of where (i.e., physical location) or how (i.e., in-person or via telecounselling) they deliver counselling therapy. In the context of telecounselling, NSCCT interprets "service delivery" or "practice" as occurring in the jurisdiction where the counselling therapist is registered." ... "ensure that the platform used for telecounselling is PIPEDA compliant and that servers are located in Canada" — NSCCT, Interjurisdictional Telecounselling (Canada) Regulatory model clinician_restriction Authority basis licensure Enforcement body Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists Enactment date not traced Effective date 2023-01-01 Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence high Regulation Counselling Therapists Act, S.N.S. 2008, c. 6 Record ID ca-ns-telepractice-counselling-therapy
Nova Scotia	Psychologist	There is NO binding, telepractice-specific standard for Nova Scotia psychologists. NSRP adopted ACPRO's Model Standards for Telepsychology Service as an ADVISORY only, expressly not incorporated into its Standards of Practice. As advice, registrants are directed to be licensed and in good standing in their home jurisdiction; to ensure they are legally entitled to deliver services outside it; to tell clients which regulator to complain to; to be familiar with the jurisprudence and standards where the service is received and follow the HIGHER standard where they conflict; to carry liability insurance covering out-of-jurisdiction service; to be competent in the technology; to use coded client identification where live visual verification is not possible; and to plan with clients for technology failure. NSRP's separate 'Use of Technology by Psychologists' guidance (revised June 2026, adding AI guidance and RHPA alignment) is likewise guidance, and states that it applies existing standards rather than creating new ones. The generally binding Standards of Practice — competence, consent, records, confidentiality — apply regardless of the medium of delivery, and that is where enforceable obligation actually sits.	In Force	2026-08-17	Model Standards for Telepsychology Service (ACPRO), adopted by NSRP as a Practice Advisory, adopted 2013-04-05; ACPRO model adopted 2011-06-04 Show statutory text "As an Advisory these are not incorporated into NSRP's Standards of Practice, but are provided as advice to Registrants regarding important issues to be carefully considered in offering telepsychology services." ... "As ACPRO Model Standards, they have no force unless and until they are adopted by the individual Canadian regulatory College or Board. At this time, NSRP has chosen to adopt the ACPRO Model Standards as advice to Registrants. These may be incorporated into the Standards of Practice in the future." — NSRP, Model Standards for Telepsychology Service (Advisory for Psychological Practice) Regulatory model none Authority basis licensure Enforcement body Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology Enactment date not traced Effective date 2013-04-05 Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence high Record ID ca-ns-telepractice-psychology
Nova Scotia	Clinical social worker	When delivering electronic social work services, social workers must: confirm service users can access and use the technology, understand its purpose and operation, have their needs met and their identity protected (6.5.1); use safeguards such as password protection, encryption and secure firewalls when sharing confidential information digitally or on storage devices (6.5.2); follow applicable legislation in the province where they are regulated, where they practise, AND where the service user resides (6.5.3); be aware of inter-jurisdictional issues and act to preserve privacy and confidentiality (6.5.4); obtain informed consent before using search engines or social media to gather information about service users, except in exceptional circumstances to protect those at risk (6.5.5); make reasonable efforts to verify identity and contact information and represent themselves accurately (6.5.6); and be competent in the technologies used, applying face-to-face supervision standards to supervision delivered by technological means (6.5.7). Service users must be informed: to be alone in a private area and refrain from cellular phone use during the encounter (6.5.8); that telephone, video, text and electronic messaging provide limited security (6.5.9); of the risks of sharing confidential information over the internet, social media, text and videoconferencing (6.5.10); and that they may not disclose or post electronic communications from the encounter (6.5.11).	In Force	2026-08-17	NSCSW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, Guiding Principle 6.5, ss. 6.5.1-6.5.11 (electronic social work services); see also s. 5.5.5 Show statutory text "Guiding Principle 6.5: Social workers preserve privacy and confidentiality in the provision of electronic social work services." ... "6.5.3 following applicable legislation governing the provision of electronic social work services in the province or territory where they are regulated, or practise, and where the service user resides" — NSCSW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (effective 2026-02-01) Regulatory model clinician_restriction Authority basis licensure Enforcement body Nova Scotia College of Social Workers Enactment date not traced Effective date 2026-02-01 Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence high Regulation Social Workers Act, S.N.S. 1993, c. 12 Record ID ca-ns-telepractice-social-work
Ontario	Psychologist	Anyone providing psychological services to a person PHYSICALLY IN ONTARIO must be CPBAO-registered — telepsychology included, regardless of where the practitioner sits. Practising outside Ontario: the registrant must be legally authorised in that jurisdiction, must comply with Ontario's requirements while practising elsewhere, must tell recipients the College can address complaints and give College contact information on request, and must carry liability insurance covering that service. Where two jurisdictions conflict, comply with whichever obligation gives the client greater protection. Cloud services must be hosted where security features are consistent with Ontario privacy law, and client identity must be verified where visual verification isn't possible.	In Force	2026-08-17	Standards of Professional Conduct (CPBAO), Standard 16 (Cross-Jurisdictional Practice); Standard 17 (Use of Technology) Show statutory text "16.2 Adherence to Local Jurisprudence — Registrants must be familiar with and adhere to the local jurisprudence and standards for practice in the jurisdiction in which the service is being delivered. Where a conflict exists between the requirements of two jurisdictions, the registrant must comply with the obligations affording greater client protection." — CPBAO, Standards of Professional Conduct, Standard 16.2 (in force 2024-07-01) Regulatory model clinician_restriction Authority basis licensure Enforcement body College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario Enactment date not traced Effective date 2024-07-01 Penalties — Consent required No Documentation required No Confidence high Regulation O. Reg. 195/23 (Professional Misconduct), Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 Record ID ca-on-telepractice-psychology
Ontario	Psychotherapist	All professional standards apply equally to electronic, telephonic, in-person or hybrid practice. Obtain informed consent for the use of electronic media; take reasonable steps to ensure the technology is secure, confidential and appropriate to the client; confirm liability insurance covers electronic services BEFORE treating; comply with professional licensing requirements in the jurisdictions where clients are located; keep written/text/email correspondence in the clinical record; and do not rely on computer-generated assessments without exercising professional judgment. There is no requirement to live or work in Ontario to hold CRPO registration.	In Force	2026-08-17	Professional Practice Standards (CRPO), Standard 3.4 (Electronic Practice) Show statutory text "3.4.5 Registrants comply with relevant professional licensing requirements in the jurisdictions where clients are located." — CRPO, Professional Practice Standard 3.4 (Electronic Practice), published 2024-09-18, last modified 2026-01-07 Regulatory model clinician_restriction Authority basis licensure Enforcement body College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario Enactment date not traced Effective date not traced Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence high Record ID ca-on-telepractice-psychotherapy
Ontario	Clinical social worker	Explain the limits of confidentiality — including limits specific to online platforms — before or during the first online meeting, and document that conversation. Ensure collection, use and storage of client information complies with applicable privacy legislation. Ensure client information is stored in a jurisdiction whose privacy laws are consistent with Ontario's or, where applicable, Canada's. Verify client identity where impersonation is possible, establish a discreet signal so a client can convey they are not alone or not safe, and develop a safety plan including emergency contact permission.	In Force	2026-08-17	Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, Third Edition (OCSWSSW), Principle V, Standard 5.3 (Electronic Practice) Show statutory text "5.3.1 College registrants using online platforms and providing virtual services shall: explain to clients the limits of confidentiality (including any particular limits associated with online platforms and/or virtual practice) prior to or during the first online meeting and document this conversation; ensure that the collection, use and storage of client information complies with applicable privacy legislation; and ensure that client information is stored in a jurisdiction where the privacy laws are consistent with Ontario laws or, where applicable, Canadian federal laws." — OCSWSSW, Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, 3rd ed., Standard 5.3.1 (effective 2023-09-08) Regulatory model clinician_restriction Authority basis licensure Enforcement body Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Enactment date not traced Effective date 2023-09-08 Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence high Record ID ca-on-telepractice-social-work
Quebec	Psychologist	Quebec sets no telepractice-specific REGULATION for psychologists. The OPQ publishes guidance — lignes directrices, points de repère, and a scenario FAQ — and is explicit that it does not impose particular tools or forms. The binding obligations are the ordinary ones: the Code de déontologie, the record-keeping regulation, and competence, which apply whatever the medium. ON INTERJURISDICTIONAL PRACTICE the OPQ's guidance takes the form of ANSWERS TO SPECIFIC POSED SCENARIOS, and must be read as such rather than as a general jurisdictional doctrine. Three of those scenarios matter: (1) A Quebec psychologist practising from outside Quebec (e.g. six months in the United States, or travelling with a sports team) must remain entered on the OPQ roll as a regular member, must check whether the regulator in the jurisdiction WHERE THEY THEMSELVES ARE requires a permit or legal authorisation, must maintain the liability coverage required by the Ordre while informing the client that the Ordre's coverage is valid only for claims within Canada, and must tell the client the Ordre can still receive and handle a complaint about services delivered remotely. (2) Asked about a psychologist or psychotherapist REGISTERED IN ONTARIO who will be in Montreal for a few months and wants to keep seeing their ONTARIO clients, the OPQ answers that to offer services to clients in Quebec OR remotely to clients outside Quebec, a person who is physically in Quebec must register with the OPQ or obtain a special authorisation to practise. Physical presence in Quebec therefore triggers the OPQ requirement even where every client is elsewhere. (3) Asked whether a psychologist or psychotherapist registered in BRITISH COLUMBIA may serve a person living in Montreal, the OPQ answers that a psychologist or psychotherapist located outside Quebec may offer online services to clients situated in Quebec. It RECOMMENDS — not requires — that such a person be legally authorised to practise the profession in their own jurisdiction; it states they must carry professional liability insurance; and it requires that clients be advised that any disciplinary proceeding must be brought before the regulatory body in the jurisdiction where the professional is located. CRITICAL LIMIT ON ALL OF THE ABOVE: this guidance addresses OPQ REGISTRATION. It does not displace the Code des professions, art. 187.1, under which PSYCHOTHERAPY IS A RESERVED ACT in Quebec — reserved to physicians, psychologists, and permit-holders who are members of seven named ordres. A person outside Quebec who is not within that class does not acquire the right to perform psychotherapy with a Quebec client by reading an FAQ about registration, and the OPQ is itself the body that prosecutes illegal practice of psychotherapy (art. 187.4.3). No data-hosting, platform, or server-location requirement is specified anywhere in this guidance.	In Force	2026-08-17	OPQ — Télépratique (lignes directrices et points de repère), guidance; not a regulation Show statutory text Q: « Je suis psychologue ou psychothérapeute en Ontario et je serai à Montréal pour quelques mois. Je voudrais continuer à voir mes clients de l'Ontario. » R: « Afin d'offrir des services à des clients du Québec ou à distance à des clients à l'extérieur du Québec, une personne qui est physiquement au Québec doit s'inscrire auprès de l'Ordre des psychologues du Québec ou obtenir une autorisation spéciale d'exercer. » Q: « Je suis psychologue ou psychothérapeute en Colombie-Britannique et je souhaite offrir mes services à une personne qui habite à Montréal. » R: « Un psychologue ou un psychothérapeute situé à l'extérieur du territoire québécois peut offrir des services en ligne à des clients qui se trouvent au Québec. Nous recommandons que la personne située à l'extérieur du Québec, qui offre des services en ligne à la population québécoise, soit légalement autorisée à exercer la profession de psychologue ou de psychothérapeute dans sa juridiction. Cette personne doit également être assurée pour la responsabilité professionnelle. Il est également requis d'aviser la clientèle que toute poursuite disciplinaire devra être portée devant l'organisme réglementaire dans la juridiction où se trouve le professionnel, le cas échéant. » — Ordre des psychologues du Québec, Télépratique ou pratique à distance (FAQ) Regulatory model none Authority basis licensure Enforcement body Ordre des psychologues du Québec Enactment date not traced Effective date not traced Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence medium Regulation Code de déontologie des psychologues, RLRQ c. C-26, r. 212 (applies regardless of medium) Record ID ca-qc-telepractice-psychology
Quebec	Clinical social worker	Members providing electronic services must: inform clients of the risks of disclosing confidential information over the internet, social media, texting and videoconferencing sites, and of the possible consequences (3.01); use adequate protective measures INCLUDING ENCRYPTION when communicating confidential information by digital or electronic technology, and protect archived client information with adequate measures including secure firewalls, encryption software and passwords (3.02); comply with the laws and regulations on secure use of digital and electronic technologies BOTH in their own administrative jurisdiction AND in the one where the client is located (3.03); obtain client consent before using electronic search engines to gather information about them, except in emergencies to protect the client or third parties (3.04); prepare a confidentiality agreement summarising the exceptions to confidentiality and note the client's consent and acknowledgement in the file (3.05); inform clients they may not disclose or publish the professional's electronic communications without proper consent (3.06), and that the professional cannot guarantee all participants in a family, couple or group will respect those agreements (3.07); protect the confidentiality of all information obtained or archived electronically except where disclosure is necessary to protect against serious, foreseeable and imminent danger or to comply with law or court order (3.08); warn clients that third-party texting or messaging services may offer only limited security, and promptly indicate secure ways to make contact (3.09); and take measures including encryption to protect confidential digital communications, and develop and publish policies and procedures for promptly notifying a client of any breach of confidentiality (3.10).	In Force	2026-08-17	OTSTCFQ — Normes de télépratique pour les travailleurs sociaux et les thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux, Normes, section 3 (protection de la vie privée et confidentialité), aa. 3.01-3.10 Show statutory text "Ces normes décrivent les obligations auxquelles sont tenus de se conformer les membres de l'Ordre [...] Ces normes ne sont pas des dispositions légales en tant que telles, mais elles ont néanmoins un caractère exécutoire, car elles définissent les responsabilités professionnelles et servent de cadre de référence à la formation continue, à l'inspection professionnelle et aux fins disciplinaires" ... "3.02. Avoir recours à des mesures de protection adéquates, dont le cryptage, lors de la communication de renseignements confidentiels au moyen des technologies numériques et électroniques." — OTSTCFQ, Normes de télépratique pour les travailleurs sociaux et les thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux Regulatory model clinician_restriction Authority basis licensure Enforcement body Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec Enactment date not traced Effective date not traced Penalties — Consent required Yes Documentation required Yes Confidence high Regulation Code de déontologie, RLRQ c. C-26, r. 286.1 (applies regardless of medium) Record ID ca-qc-telepractice-social-work

Not legal advice. This page states rules and quotes their sources; it does not apply them to your situation. Confirm anything that matters with your college or regulator, your accountant, or your insurer before acting on it.