Mental Health Licensing and Regulation in Israel: 2025 Guide

In Israel, the regulation of mental health professionals is legally defined by the state. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while the practice of psychotherapy is legally restricted to state-licensed psychologists.

This guide explains the requirements for Israel's three-tier psychology licensing system, how to verify a provider's credentials in the official registry, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Executive Summary

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Document Verification and Application Process

Professional Practice Requirements

Professional Associations

Verification and Complaint Procedures

Support Services and Resources

References and Official Sources

Executive Summary

Israel operates a comprehensive three-tier licensing system for mental health professionals, established under the Psychologists Law of 1977 and administered by the Ministry of Health's Psychology Centre. The system requires mandatory licensing for all psychology practice, with only licensed psychologists permitted to practice psychotherapy. Israel maintains rigorous educational requirements, professional integrity standards, and a public verification database for licensed practitioners.

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Primary Legislation

The Psychologists Law, 1977, serves as the foundational legislation governing psychology practice in Israel. This comprehensive statute establishes the legal framework for professional licensing, practice standards, and regulatory oversight, with the critical provision that only licensed psychologists are permitted to practice psychotherapy.

Regulatory Bodies

Ministry of Health - Psychology Centre

• Role: Primary regulatory authority for psychology licensing
• Website: https://www.gov.il/en/pages/licensing-medical-psychology

• Address: Yermiyahu 39, Jerusalem, 9446724
• Contact Information:

• Jerusalem Office: Phone: 02-670-5866, Fax: 02-679-0846

• Tel Aviv Office: Phone: 03-515-1166, Fax: 03-515-1180

• Email: psy.rishum@moh.health.gov.il

• Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8am - 4pm

• Emergency Contact: #5400 (from Israel) - ask for Pinkas Hapsichologim

Medical Professions Licensure Division

• Role: Oversees all medical and healthcare professional licensing

• Integration: Psychology licensing integrated within broader healthcare professional regulation

Professional Associations

Israel Psychological Association (IPA)

Organization Details

• Founded: Established as primary professional organisation for psychologists

• Website: https://www.psychology.org.il/english

• Address: 42 Menachem Begin Rd., PO BOX 10211, Ramat Gan, ZIP CODE 5200201

• Phone: 03-5239393, 03-5239884

• Email: office@psych.org.il

• Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9am - 4pm

Organisational Structure

• Leadership: Chairperson and committee of division representatives

• Elections: Leadership elected every 4 years

• Management: General manager implements policy decisions

• Support Services: Legal advisor and financial advisor available

Six Professional Divisions

• Clinical Division: Clinical psychologists and mental health specialists

• Educational Division: School and educational psychologists

• Developmental Division: Child and adolescent development specialists

• Rehabilitation Division: Disability and rehabilitation psychology

• Health Division: Medical and health psychology specialists

• Social-Organisational Division: Workplace and organisational psychology

Primary Functions

• Professional Advocacy: Promote profession in public arena

• Government Relations: Represent psychological community to authorities (Health Ministry, Education Ministry, Parliament)

• Member Services: Continuing education, insurance, legal and financial advice

• Quality Assurance: Professional standards and ethical oversight

Continuing Education

• Division-specific conferences and workshops

• Year-round professional development programs

• Speciality-focused training opportunities

• International collaboration and exchange

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Three-Tier Licensing System

Israel operates a unique three-tier licensing system that provides progressive levels of professional recognition and practice authority:

1. Psychologists (Basic License)

• Scope: Basic license to practice psychology

• Registration: Mandatory registration in the Psychologists Registry (Pinkas Hapsychologim)

• Authority: General psychology practice with restrictions on specialised interventions

2. Specialists

• Scope: Advanced practice in specialised areas

• Recognised Specialities:

• Clinical Psychology: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders

• Educational Psychology: School-based psychological services and educational assessment

• Developmental Psychology: Child and adolescent development and intervention

• Social-Occupational Psychology: Workplace and organisational psychology

• Medical Psychology: Psychology practice in medical settings

• Rehabilitation Psychology: Psychological services for disability and rehabilitation

3. Supervisors

• Scope: Supervision and training authority in each area of specialisation

• Requirements: Advanced certification for supervision of psychology trainees and practitioners

• Authority: Oversight of professional development and training programs

Educational Requirements

Academic Qualifications

• Master's Degree: Minimum requirement in psychology from a recognised institution

• Bachelor's Degree: Required foundation in psychology

• Higher Degrees: PhD/PsyD accepted and may provide additional qualifications

• Accreditation: All degrees must be accredited by the Israeli Ministry of Education through a Certificate of Equivalence

Specific Documentation Requirements:

• Original detailed university transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)

• Course syllabi, especially in psychology, research methods, and statistics

• Number of course hours and academic credits for each course

• Confirmation that doctorate was completed within the School of Psychology framework (for PhD/PsyD)

Ministry of Education Accreditation

• Certificate of Equivalence: Required from the Department for Evaluation of Academic Degrees from Abroad

• Eligibility: Only available after obtaining Aliyah approval or Israeli citizenship

• Process: Requires Israeli identification number for application
  

Professional Integrity and Character Requirements

Professional Integrity Certificate

• Source: Must be obtained from applicant's state of license

• Content: Confirms absence of disciplinary, malpractice, or ethics complaints

• Transmission: Must be sent directly from professional board to Israeli Ministry of Health

• Scope: Covers the entire professional practice history as a psychology practitioner

Character Assessment:

• Detailed professional curriculum vitae from graduation to application

• Professional references and background verification

• Ongoing monitoring through professional association membership

Professional Practice Requirements

Scope of Practice

Licensed Psychologists

• General psychological assessment and consultation

• Psychological testing and evaluation

• Mental health counselling (non-therapeutic)

• Research and academic activities

• Community psychology services

Specialist Psychologists

• Clinical Specialists: Comprehensive mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment

• Educational Specialists: School psychology services, learning assessments, educational planning

• Developmental Specialists: Child and adolescent assessment and intervention

• Medical Specialists: Psychology services in healthcare settings

• Rehabilitation Specialists: Psychological services for disability and recovery

• Social-Occupational Specialists: Workplace psychology and organisational consultation

Supervisors

• Training and supervision of psychology students and practitioners

• Professional development oversight

• Quality assurance for specialised practice areas

Practice Restrictions and Protected Titles

Psychotherapy Practice

• Legal Requirement: Only licensed psychologists are permitted to practice psychotherapy

• Protected Activity: Psychotherapy is legally restricted to licensed professionals

• Verification: Public can verify practitioner licensing through official database

Non-Licensed Practice

• Psychotherapy, mental health therapy, and counselling are NOT separately licensable professions

• Foreign-trained practitioners can work in private sector based on foreign credentials

• No regulation for professionals who are not psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers

Verification and Complaint Procedures

License Verification

Licensed Psychologists Database

• Access: Available through Ministry of Health (Hebrew language)

• Public Information: Searchable database of licensed professionals

• Verification Details:

• Licensed psychologists by speciality area

• Current license status and validity

• Temporarily or permanently suspended licenses

• Professional specialisation areas

Database Limitations:

• Does not list psychologists whose licenses were previously revoked but are currently valid

• Hebrew language interface may require translation assistance

• Updated regularly, but may have processing delays

Complaint Procedures

Ministry of Health Complaints

• Primary Authority: Ministry of Health Psychology Centre handles regulatory violations

• Contact: psy.rishum@moh.health.gov.il

• Scope: Professional misconduct, unlicensed practice, regulatory violations

• Process: Formal investigation and disciplinary action authority

Professional Association Ethics

• IPA Ethics Committee: Handles professional ethics violations

• Contact: office@psych.org.il

• Scope: Professional standards, ethical violations, member conduct

• Process: Peer review and professional sanctions

Legal Recourse

• Civil and criminal legal action available for serious violations

• Professional malpractice insurance through IPA membership

• Legal advisor services are available to association members

References and Official Sources

Psychologists Law, 1977. Ministry of Health, Israel

Psychology - Licensure Ministry of Health. (2025, January 16)

Licensing Overview - Psychology. (2024, November 7). Nefesh B'Nefesh

Israel Psychological Association

Licensed Psychologists Database. Ministry of Health (Hebrew)

Ministry of Health Complaint Procedures. Psychology Center

Verification - GETHELPISRAEL. Professional regulation overview

Ministry of Aliyah and Integration Reimbursement Program. Professional licensing cost reimbursement

This guide provides comprehensive information about mental health professional regulation in Israel. For the most current information, always consult official government sources and regulatory bodies.