If you’re preparing for the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) Registration Exam, one of the most common questions you might have is: “Is the CRPO exam open book?”
The short answer is no — the CRPO exam is not open book.
This article breaks down exactly what that means, what you can and cannot bring, and how this affects your study strategy.
For more exam prep guidance, feel free to explore our resources at CRPO Exam Crash Course.
Is the CRPO Exam Open Book?
No. The CRPO exam is a closed-book, proctored exam.
Candidates cannot bring:
- Notes
- Textbooks
- Printed materials
- Study guides
- Personal devices
- Pens, paper, or physical scratch pads
The exam platform instead provides a digital notepad, which functions like a simple on-screen scratch pad you can use throughout the test.
If you want more details on exam structure and rules, visit our CRPO Exam FAQ page. I would recommend you read the questions, as it explains also CRPO exam sample questions, answers questions about CRPO exam tips, and CRPO exam sample questions.
Why Isn’t the CRPO Exam Open Book?
The CRPO exam is designed to assess your ability to apply:
- Ethical decision-making
- The CRPO Competency Profile
- Clinical reasoning
- Professional judgment
- Safe, client-centered practice
Because the assessment focuses on reasoning — not memorization — the College requires candidates to rely on their own knowledge and competencies rather than external materials.
If you’d like help reviewing the Competency Profile in a simplified, exam-focused way, you can explore our CRPO Exam Prep Course.