Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Argentina: 2025 Guide

Colegio de Psicólogas y Psicólogos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires

• Website: https://colpsiba.com.ar/
• Email: info@colpsiba.com.ar
• Phone: +54 11 4372-3015
• Address: Av. Callao 1362, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
• Governing Legislation: Ley 10.306 (1985)

College Functions:

• Represent and group psychology professionals in Buenos Aires territory
• Guarantee ethics and quality in professional practice
• Control professional registration (matrícula)
• Protect public interest
• Maintain professional registry

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

1. PSICÓLOGO (General Psychologist)

Legal Definition (Article 2, Law 10.306): All activities of teaching, application and indication of psychological knowledge and specific techniques.

Scope of Practice:

• Clinical Practice: Investigation and exploration of human psychological structure at individual and group level, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of personality for recovery, conservation and prevention of Mental Health using specifically psychological methods and techniques
• Public Service: Performance of positions, functions, commissions or employment by designation of public authorities, including judicial appointments
• Professional Reports: Emission, evacuation, expedition, presentation of consultations, studies, advice, reports, expert opinions, certifications, etc.
• Education and Consulting: Teaching and professional counselling

Practice Settings:

• Individual practice
• Interdisciplinary teams
• Institutions (public/private)
• Individual, group, institutional or community contexts

2. SPECIALIZED PSYCHOLOGY CATEGORIES

Recognised Specialisations (Article 4, Law 10.306):

• Psicólogo Clínico (Clinical Psychologist)
• Psicólogo Educacional (Educational Psychologist)
• Psicólogo Laboral (Occupational/Industrial Psychologist)
• Psicólogo Social (Social Psychologist)
• Doctor en Psicología (Doctor of Psychology)

Specialisation Requirements (Article 10):

• Specialist title granted by College or Psychology Society recognised by the College
• Specialist title from National, Provincial, or recognised Private University
• Specialist certificate from Psychology College after 3 years of practice in approved services

3. OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Psychiatrists:

• Regulatory Authority: Colegio de Médicos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires
• Requirements: Medical degree + psychiatric specialisation
• Scope: Medical treatment, prescription authority, hospitalisation decisions

Social Workers:

• Regulatory Authority: Colegio de Asistentes Sociales
• Requirements: University degree in Social Work
• Scope: Social intervention, case management, community work

Psychoanalysts:

• Regulatory Status: Not specifically regulated by law
• Professional Associations: Asociación Psicoanalítica Argentina (APA), various institutes
• Practice: Often overlap with psychology or medical practice

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications (Article 4, Law 10.306):

Authorised to Practice:

• National Universities: Valid title from a National, Provincial or Private University, revalidated by the National University
• Foreign Universities: Title revalidated by the National University
• International Professionals: Prestigious international professionals in transit (6 months, extendable to 1 year maximum)
• Treaty Recognition: Foreign titles recognised through International Treaties
• Institutional Contracts: Foreign professionals contracted by public institutions for research, consulting or teaching
• Consultation Cases: Non-resident professionals called by matriculated professional for specific cases

University Requirements:

• Degree: Licenciatura en Psicología (5-6 year university program)
• Curriculum: Minimum 3,500 academic hours
• Practicum: Supervised clinical practice
• Thesis: Research project and defence
• Accreditation: University must be recognised by the Ministry of Education

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC

Online Registry Search:

1. Visit https://colpsiba.com.ar/
2. Click "Padrón" (Registry)
3. Search by name or registration number
4. Verify current registration status
5. Check specialisations and district

Information Available:

• Full name and registration number
• Registration status (active/inactive)
• District of registration
• Specialisations (if any)
• Registration date

SCOPE OF PRACTICE RESTRICTIONS

Prohibited Activities (Article 9, Law 10.306):

• Rejected Procedures: Apply procedures rejected by recognised University or Scientific Centres
• Unrecognised Specialisations: Announce specialisations not recognised by Psychology College
• False Specialist Claims: Advertise as specialist without College registration
• Unauthorised Publications: Publish personal techniques in non-specialised media without prior consideration
• Fee Sharing: Participate in fee-sharing arrangements
• Medication Prescription: Prescribe, apply or administer medications or chemical elements for the investigation, diagnosis or treatment of personality alterations

Professional Obligations (Article 7):

• Emergency Collaboration: Provide collaboration required by Executive Power in epidemics, disasters and emergencies
• Continuity of Care: Assist service seekers until delegation to another professional or public service is possible
• Professional Secrecy: Maintain professional confidentiality

DISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK

Professional Ethics Committee:

• Investigates complaints about registered psychologists
• Determines professional misconduct
• Imposes sanctions according to College regulations

Types of Misconduct:

• Practising outside scope of practice
• Breach of professional confidentiality
• Use of non-recognised procedures
• False advertising of specialisations
• Fee-sharing violations
• Unauthorised medication prescription

Sanctions:

• Warning
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent suspension from registry
• Referral to criminal courts (if applicable)

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

Filing Complaints:

1. Contact the district College office
2. Submit a written complaint with evidence
3. Ethics Committee investigation
4. Hearing process with due process rights
5. Decision and appeal procedures

Public Protection:

• Professional liability insurance recommended
• Malpractice claims through civil courts
• Criminal charges for serious violations

PROTECTED TITLES

Legally Protected (Article 1, Law 10.306):

• "Psicólogo" (Psychologist)
• "Licenciado en Psicología" (Licensed Psychologist)
• "Psicólogo Clínico" (Clinical Psychologist)
• "Psicólogo Educacional" (Educational Psychologist)
• "Psicólogo Laboral" (Occupational Psychologist)
• "Psicólogo Social" (Social Psychologist)
• "Doctor en Psicología" (Doctor of Psychology)

Unauthorised Use: Criminal offence with penalties and professional sanctions

RED FLAGS FOR PUBLIC

• Practitioner not found in provincial registry
• Claims to prescribe medication (unless also medical doctor)
• Refuses to provide registration number
• Advertises unrecognised specialisations
• No clear complaint procedure available
• Practices outside the registered province without proper authorisation

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Health

FEPRA

National Mental Health Directorate