Mental Health Licensing and Regulation in Taiwan: 2025 Guide

In Taiwan, the regulation of mental health professionals is managed by the state. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while a mandatory licensing system provides separate credentials for clinical and counselling psychologists.

This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's official license, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Professional Associations

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Professional Practice Requirements

Verification and Complaint Procedures

References and Official Sources

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Primary Legislation

Regulatory Bodies

Ministry of Examination (MOEX)

• Role: Administers professional licensing examinations
• Website: https://wwwc.moex.gov.tw/english/
• Address: No. 1, Sec. 1, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100219, Taiwan
• Examination Regulations: Senior Professional and Technical Examinations Regulations for Psychologists (established August 13, 2002, latest amendment December 11, 2018)

Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)

• Role: Professional practice oversight and regulation
• Website: https://www.mohw.gov.tw/mp-2.html
• Address: No.488, Sec. 6, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei City 115204, Taiwan
• Phone: (+886) 2-8590-6666
• Category: Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛生福利部)
  

Professional Associations

Taiwanese Psychological Association (TPA)

Organization Details

• Founded: 1961 (oldest academic association in domestic psychology community)
• Headquarters: Taipei
• Website: https://www.tpa-tw.org/
• Contact: contact@tpa-tw.org
• International Status: National Member of International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) since 2017

Organizational Structure

• 6 Psychology Study Groups: Clinical Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Social and Personality Psychology, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
• 3 Committees: Public Affairs Committee, International Exchange Committee, Ethics Committee
• Publications: Chinese Journal of Psychology (quarterly)
• Administration: Secretariat for administrative affairs and activity planning

Mission and Objectives

• Research on psychology
• Data collection and publication of psychology books and periodicals
• Communication with domestic and foreign psychology institutions
• Connection to organisations of academic or social importance for psychologists in Taiwan

Taiwan Psychology Network (TPN)

Organization Details

• Website: https://taiwanpsy.wordpress.com/
• Mission: Promote collaboration and networking among psychologists and mental health professionals in Taiwan and the United States
• Activities: Encourage Taiwanese students to participate in American Psychological Association (APA) conventions
  

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Clinical Psychologist (臨床心理師)

Educational Requirements

• Republic of China (R.O.C.) citizenship required
• Master's degree in clinical psychology from a recognised institution
• Minimum 21 credits across seven or more courses, including:
  • Psychopathology: Minimum 3 courses, 9 credits
  • Psychological Assessment: Minimum 2 courses, 6 credits
    
  • Psychotherapy: Minimum 2 courses, 6 credits
• Maximum 3 credits counted per course
• Official certifying document from graduating institution required

Internship Requirements

• Minimum one-year internship at an approved institution
• Approved settings include:
• Medical institutions
• Tobacco addiction and substance abuse rehabilitation centres
• Community mental health centres
• Psychotherapy institutions
• Other institutions designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare
• Certification of successful internship completion required

Examination Process

• Annual written examinations administered by Ministry of Examination
• Computer-based essay questions were introduced in July 2022
• Pass the examination to receive a clinical psychologist certificate
  

Counselling Psychologist (諮商心理師)

Educational Requirements

• Republic of China (R.O.C.) citizenship required
• Master's degree in counselling psychology from a recognised institution
• Minimum 21 credits across seven fields (from January 1, 2016):
  • Counselling and psychotherapy theory
  • Counselling and psychotherapy practice
  • Counselling ethics and regulations
  • Mental health and abnormal psychology
  • Case study evaluation and psychological assessment
  • Group counselling and psychotherapy
  • Additional specialised field
• Minimum one course per field, maximum 3 credits per course
• Official certifying document from graduating institution required

Internship Requirements

• Minimum one-year internship at an approved institution
• Similar approved settings as clinical psychology
• Certification of successful internship completion required

Examination Process

• Annual written examinations administered by the Ministry of Examination
• Computer-based essay questions introduced in July 2022
• Pass examination to receive counselling psychologist certificate
  

Professional Practice Requirements

Scope of Practice

Clinical Psychologists

• Psychological assessment and diagnosis
• Psychotherapy and psychological intervention
• Mental health consultation
• Research and evaluation
• Practice in medical and healthcare settings

Counseling Psychologists

• Individual and group counselling
• Psychological counselling and therapy
• Mental health promotion and prevention
• Career and educational counselling
• Community mental health services

Practice Settings and Display Requirements

• Establishment license
• Fee schedule
• Professional certificates
  

Verification and Complaint Procedures

License Verification

• Ministry of Health and Welfare official channels
• Professional association membership verification
• Institutional credential verification

Complaint Procedures

• Ministry of Health and Welfare: Primary regulatory oversight
• Taiwanese Psychological Association Ethics Committee: Professional standards enforcement
• Institutional authorities: For practice setting-specific concerns

References and Official Sources

Psychologist Act - Ministry of Health and Welfare

Ministry of Examination, R.O.C.(Taiwan) - Senior Professional and Technical Examinations

Regulations for Psychologists

Ministry of Health and Welfare

Senior Professional and Technical Examinations Regulations for Psychologists, Article 6. Ministry of Examination. (2018, December 11)

Senior Professional and Technical Examinations Regulations for Psychologists, Article 7. Ministry of Examination. (2018, December 11).

Psychologist Act, Article 28. Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2020, January 15).

Taiwanese Psychological Association

Taiwan Psychology Network

Mental Health Association in Taiwan

Wang, L.-f., Kwan, K.-L., & Huang, S.-F. (2011). Counselling Psychology Licensure in Taiwan: Development, Challenges, and Opportunities. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 33(1), 37-50

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