Mental Health Licensing & Regulation Bangladesh: 2025 Guide

In Bangladesh, the regulation of mental health professionals varies by role. While psychiatrists are medically licensed, psychologists are certified by professional associations in a system that is still developing.

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

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OFFICIAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK

REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE PUBLIC

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

PROTECTED TITLES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND MOBILITY

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

OFFICIAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Current Status: Bangladesh has a developing regulatory framework for mental health professionals, with the Mental Health Act 2018 providing a foundational legal structure, but formal licensing systems for psychology professionals are still in development. The country operates primarily through professional associations and academic institutions rather than statutory licensing bodies.

Primary Legislation:

• Mental Health Act 2018 (Act No. 60 of 2018): Replaced the outdated Lunacy Act 1912, establishing a modern mental health legal framework

• National Mental Health Strategic Plan: Government strategic framework for mental health service development

• Professional Association Standards: Bangladesh Psychological Association (BPA) and Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society (BCPS) professional standards

Legal Authority: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), professional associations

REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

Role: Government oversight of mental health services and policy

Authority: Primary government authority for health professional regulation

Functions:

• Mental health policy development and implementation

• Healthcare facility licensing and oversight

• Professional standards coordination

• Mental Health Act 2018 implementation

• National Mental Health Strategic Plan execution
  

2. DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES (DGHS)

Role: Health service delivery and professional oversight

Authority: Government health service administration

Functions:

• Healthcare professional registration coordination

• Mental health service delivery oversight

• Professional training program coordination

• Healthcare facility standards enforcement

• Public health professional development

3. BANGLADESH PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (BPA)

Role: Professional psychology association and standards-setting

Authority: Professional association with certification functions

Functions:

• Professional standards development for psychologists

• Academic standards and code of professional ethics

• Professional certification and membership

• Research promotion and publication

• International collaboration and professional development
  

Professional Certification:

• Issues certificates of qualifications for practising psychologists

• Membership code numbers for qualified professionals

• Professional ethics and standards enforcement

• Academic and professional discipline promotion

4. BANGLADESH CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY (BCPS)

Role: Clinical psychology professional development and standards

Authority: Specialised professional society for clinical psychology

Functions:

• Clinical psychology professional development

• Training and service standard promotion

• Professional accreditation advocacy

• Statutory recognition and licensing advocacy

• Clinical psychology research and practice promotion
  

Professional Goals:

• Accreditation: Professional training program accreditation

• Statutory Recognition: Government recognition of clinical psychology profession

• Licensing: Professional licensing system development
  

5. BANGLADESH ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRISTS (BAP)

Role: Medical psychiatry professional association

Authority: Medical professional association for psychiatrists

Functions:

• Psychiatric medical practice standards

• Professional development and training

• Medical ethics and professional conduct

• Research and clinical practice promotion

• Government policy advocacy
  

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

1. PSYCHIATRIST (MEDICALLY REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: Medical licensing authorities

License Required: Medical license plus psychiatric specialisation

Scope: Full psychiatric medical practice

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree: Complete medical education (MBBS)

• Medical License: Registration with medical authorities

• Psychiatric Specialisation: Specialised psychiatric training

• Continuing Education: Ongoing medical professional development
  

Scope of Practice:

• Full Medical Authority: Can prescribe medication and perform medical procedures

• Psychiatric Diagnosis: Complex psychiatric assessment and diagnosis

• Medical Interventions: Psychiatric medical treatments

• Hospitalisation: Can admit patients to psychiatric facilities

• Psychotherapy: Can provide psychotherapeutic treatment

2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (PROFESSIONALLY REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society (BCPS) and professional standards

License Required: Professional certification and membership

Scope: Clinical psychology practice within professional standards

Education Requirements:

• Master's Degree: Clinical psychology or equivalent

• Professional Training: Supervised clinical training

• BCPS Membership: Professional society membership

• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development
  

Current Status:

• No Formal Licensing: Formal government licensing has not yet established
  

• Professional Standards: BCPS professional standards and certification
  

• Advocacy for Licensing: Active advocacy for statutory licensing system
  

• Quality Assurance: Professional society quality standards
  

Scope of Practice:

• Clinical Assessment: Psychological evaluation and testing
  

• Psychotherapy: Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
  

• Treatment Planning: Comprehensive treatment planning
  

• Professional Consultation: Clinical consultation services
  

• Research: Clinical psychology research and development
  

3. PSYCHOLOGIST (PROFESSIONALLY REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: Bangladesh Psychological Association (BPA)

License Required: BPA membership and certification

Scope: General psychology practice within professional standards

Education Requirements:

• Master's or Honours Degree: Psychology or equivalent, or PhD in psychology
  

• BPA Membership: Professional association membership
  

• Professional Certification: BPA certificate of qualifications
  

• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development
  

BPA Membership Categories:

• General Membership: Master's/Honours degree, annual subscription Tk. 300
  

• Life Membership: Tk. 5,000 one-time payment
  

• Associate Life Membership: Bachelor's/Master's in allied subjects, Tk. 3,000
  

• Honorary Life Membership: Outstanding service recognition
  

Scope of Practice:

• Psychological Assessment: General psychological evaluation
  

• Counselling Services: Individual and group counselling
  

• Educational Psychology: Educational assessment and intervention
  

• Organisational Psychology: Workplace psychology services
  

• Research: Psychology research and development
  

4. OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Categories: Various allied mental health professions

Regulation: Professional association standards and institutional oversight

Professional Categories:

• Social Workers: Professional association standards
  

• Mental Health Nurses: Nursing professional standards
  

• Counsellors: Professional training and certification
  

• Psychiatric Technicians: Institutional training and oversight
  

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE PUBLIC

Verifying BPA-Certified Psychologists:

• Check BRC Registration: Ask for their BRC registration number.
  

• BPA Membership Verification: Check Bangladesh Psychological Association membership
  

• Membership Code Number: Verify BPA membership code number
  

• Professional Certification: Confirm the BPA certificate of qualifications
  

• Educational Qualifications: Verify a Master's/Honours degree in psychology
  

• Professional Standing: Check good standing with BPA

BPA Verification Sources:

• BPA Website: www.bpa.org.bd
  

• Membership Directory: BPA member listings
  

• Professional Certification: BPA certificate verification
  

Verifying BCPS-Affiliated Clinical Psychologists:

• BCPS Membership: Check Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society membership
  

• Professional Training: Verify clinical psychology training
  

• Educational Qualifications: Confirm Master's degree in clinical psychology
  

• Professional Standards: Check adherence to BCPS standards
  

• Continuing Education: Verify ongoing professional development
  

BCPS Verification Sources:

• BCPS Professional Directory: Member listings
  

• Training Verification: Clinical training documentation
  

• Professional References: BCPS professional references
  

Red Flags - Warning Signs:

• No Professional Association Membership: Cannot provide BPA or BCPS membership
  

• Unverified Qualifications: Cannot demonstrate appropriate educational qualifications
  

• No Professional Certification: Lacks professional certification or credentials
  

• Institutional Affiliation Issues: No verifiable institutional affiliation
  

• Ethical Concerns: Reports of professional misconduct or ethical violations
  

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

For BPA-Certified (General) Psychologists:

Authority: Bangladesh Psychological Association, professional oversight

Process:

• BPA Complaints: Submit a complaint through the BPA official channels
  

• Professional Standards: Report violations of BPA professional ethics
  

• Central Executive Committee: BPA disciplinary procedures
  

• Professional Sanctions: BPA disciplinary actions
  

• Legal Action: Pursue legal remedies for professional misconduct
  

For BCPS-Affiliated Clinical Psychologists:

Authority: Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society oversight Process:

• BCPS Complaints: Submit a complaint through BCPS official channels
  

• Professional Standards: Report violations of clinical psychology standards
  

• Professional Review: BCPS professional review procedures
  

• Professional Sanctions: BCPS disciplinary actions
  

• Legal Remedies: Pursue legal action for professional misconduct
  

For Psychiatrists:

Complaints should be directed to the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BM&DC), which is the statutory regulatory body with legal authority over medical doctors, including psychiatrists.

For Unlicensed Practice:

Legal Framework: Mental Health Act 2018 and professional standards.

Enforcement: Professional association enforcement and legal action

Consumer Protection: Bangladesh consumer protection laws apply

PROTECTED TITLES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Professional Titles:

• "Psychologist": Protected by BPA professional standards and certification
  

• "Clinical Psychologist": Protected by BCPS professional standards
  

• "Psychiatrist": Protected by medical licensing requirements through the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BM&DC)
  

Legal Requirements:

• Professional Association Membership: Required for professional practice
  

• Professional Certification: BPA or BCPS certification required
  

• Educational Qualifications: Appropriate degree requirements
  

• Professional Standards: Adherence to professional ethics and standards
  

Current Challenges:

• No Formal Licensing: Lack of government statutory licensing system
  

• Professional Recognition: Limited government recognition of psychology profession
  

• Regulatory Gaps: Absence of comprehensive regulatory framework
  

• Quality Assurance: Limited quality assurance mechanisms
  

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS

Professional Associations:

• BPA Members: Psychologists with Master's/Honours degrees
  

• BCPS Members: Clinical psychologists and trainees
  

• BAP Members: Medical psychiatrists
  

• Academic Institutions: University psychology departments
  

Professional Practice:

• Institutional Practice: Majority practice in hospitals, clinics, and universities
  

• Private Practice: Limited private practice opportunities
  

• NGO Services: Mental health services through NGOs
  

• Government Services: Limited government mental health positions
  

Regulatory Development:

• Mental Health Act 2018: Modern legal framework established
  

• Professional Advocacy: Active advocacy for licensing systems
  

• International Collaboration: Growing international professional connections
  

• Training Development: Expanding professional training programs
  

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND MOBILITY

International Qualification Recognition:

• Limited Recognition: Limited international recognition of Bangladesh qualifications
  

• Professional Development: Growing international professional connections
  

• Training Standards: Efforts to align with international training standards
  

• Professional Mobility: Limited international professional mobility
  

Professional Development:

• International Collaboration: BPA collaboration with international associations
  

• Training Enhancement: Efforts to enhance professional training quality
  

• Research Development: Growing research and publication activities
  

• Professional Standards: Development of international-standard professional practices
  

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

For Professional Practice:

• Bengali/English: Professional practice typically conducted in Bengali or English
  

• Patient Communication: Language proficiency essential for patient care
  

• Professional Documentation: Documentation in Bengali or English
  

• Cultural Competency: Understanding of Bangladesh culture and social context
  

Professional Communication:

• Academic Language: English proficiency for academic and research activities
  

• Professional Development: English proficiency for international professional development
  

• Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural competency requirements for diverse populations
  

• Community Services: Local language proficiency for community-based services
  

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC

When Seeking Psychology Services:

• Verify Professional Association Membership: Check BPA or BCPS membership
  

• Confirm Educational Qualifications: Verify appropriate degree qualifications
  

• Check Professional Certification: Ensure professional certification or credentials
  

• Institutional Affiliation: Verify institutional affiliation or employment
  

• Professional References: Obtain professional references and recommendations
  

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Professional Qualifications: Verify appropriate professional qualifications
  

• Institutional Setting: Prefer services in established institutional settings
  

• Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional standards
  

• Cultural Competency: Ensure cultural and linguistic competency
  

• Professional Ethics: Verify adherence to professional ethics
  

For International Practitioners:

• Professional Association Membership: Join appropriate professional associations
  

• Qualification Recognition: Seek recognition of international qualifications
  

• Cultural Preparation: Develop Bangladesh cultural competency
  

• Language Proficiency: Develop Bengali language proficiency
  

• Professional Integration: Connect with the Bangladesh professional community
  

Red Flags to Avoid:

• No Professional Association Membership: Cannot provide professional association membership
  

• Unverified Qualifications: Cannot demonstrate appropriate educational qualifications
  

• No Institutional Affiliation: Lacks verifiable institutional affiliation
  

• Ethical Concerns: Reports of professional misconduct or ethical violations
  

• Unlicensed Practice: Practising without appropriate professional credentials
  

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Mental Health Act 2018

Bangladesh Psychological Association

Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society

Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)

Newly enacted mental health law in Bangladesh

Critical analysis of mental health legislation 2025

This guide reflects Bangladesh's developing regulatory framework for mental health professionals, with the Mental Health Act 2018 providing a foundational legal structure while formal licensing systems are still in development. Professional associations play a crucial role in maintaining standards while advocacy continues for comprehensive statutory licensing systems. Verify current requirements with relevant professional associations for the most up-to-date information.