Recency of Practice Standard


Please note that this is not applicable for the upcoming 2025 renewals and will be enforced starting with the FY 2026 renewals.


Recency of Practice Standard – Effective 1st July 2025 for FY 2025-2026

Last year, the PACFA Board approved the Recency of Practice Standard to align with the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) requirements. This new standard will come into effect on 1st July 2025, for the 2025-2026 Registration year.


What is Recency of Practice?

Recency of practice refers to how recently, and to what extent, an individual has used their professional skills and knowledge to deliver appropriate and effective services within their profession.


New Recency of Practice Standard Requirements

Starting from the 2025 membership year (for 2026 renewals), PACFA members will be required to complete 150 hours of practice annually, or a total of 450 practice hours across 3 years. The Recency of Practice Standard sets a minimum number of practice hours required each year and clarifies what constitutes practice.

The first two years of implementing these new requirements will be a transition period involving some flexibility, with the requirements being fully operative for the 2027-2028 membership year.

 

Not Applicable for the Upcoming 2025 Renewal

The Recency of Practice Standard does not apply to the upcoming membership renewal in 2025.


Is there a difference between client contact hours and practice hours?

Yes, there is an important difference:

  • Client Contact Hours

    PACFA’s definition of client contact is met when both the client and practitioner understand the nature and function of the relationship and service as being primarily therapy in practice, irrespective of the practitioner’s job title

    • More information: PACFA Client Contact Standard.
    • They are direct and specific.
    • The number you conducted needs to be entered into the PACFA Portal annually at renewal.
    • Practice Hours

      • The term “practice” for this standard includes any role in which the registrant uses their knowledge and professional expertise as a counsellor, psychotherapist, or Indigenous healing practitioner to contribute to the safe and effective provision of services.

      More information: Recency of Practice Standard.

      • They are broad and inclusive.
      • Each year at renewal, you will be asked yes or no if you practiced as a counsellor, psychotherapist, or Indigenous healing practitioner for 150 hours in that year or 450 hours over the previous three years.

    What Happens if a Registrant does not Meet this Standard?

    The first two years of implementing these new requirements will be a transition period involving some flexibility, with the requirements being fully operative for the 2028 Renewals.

    If you don’t meet the requirements for the 2028 Renewals and want to maintain your registration and continue to practice, you will need to apply to PACFA as outlined in the Resumption of Practice Standard and will be invited to provide information to help PACFA determine a course of action.

    We encourage all members to begin planning for these changes.

     

    More Information

     

    Recency of Practice Standard Examples

     

    Compliant Examples

      FY 2025-2026 (2026 Renewal) FY 2026-2027 (2027 Renewal) FY 2027-2028 (2028 Renewal) Total
    Example A  150 practice hours  150 practice hours  150 practice hours  450 practice hours 
    Example B  0 practice hours  0 practice hours  450 practice hours  450 practice hours 
    Example C  0 practice hours  450 practice hours   0 practice hours  450 practice hours 
    Example D  450 practice hours   0 practice hours  0 practice hours  450 practice hours 
    Example E  450 practice hours   450 practice hours   450 practice hours   1350 practice hours 
    Example F  200 practice hours  100 practice hours  200 practice hours  500 practice hours 

     

    Non-Compliant Examples

      FY 2025-2026 (2026 Renewal) FY 2026-2027 (2027 Renewal) FY 2027-2028 (2028 Renewal) Total
    Example A  0 practice hours  0 practice hours  0 practice hours  0 practice hours 
    Example B  0 practice hours  0 practice hours  445 practice hours 445 practice hours 
    Example C  0 practice hours  445 practice hours   0 practice hours 445 practice hours 
    Example D  445 practice hours   0 practice hours  0 practice hours 445 practice hours 
    Example E  100 practice hours   100 practice hours   100 practice hours  300 practice hours 
    Example F  200 practice hours  200 practice hours  0 practice hours 400 practice hours