Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Colombia: 2025 Guide

In Colombia, the regulation of mental health professionals varies by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while all practising psychologists are required by law to hold a professional license (Tarjeta Profesional) from the national college.

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

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Regulatory Bodies

Professional Associations and Organisations

Colombian Society of Psychology

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Professional Practice Requirements

Verification and Complaint Procedures

References and Official Sources

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Primary Legislation

Law 842 provides the legal framework for sanctions against unlicensed practice, ensuring that anyone working without a proper licensing, Professional Card, or temporary permit faces legal consequences.

Law 1616 of 2013 is the National Mental Health Law, which regulates the provision of mental healthcare services within the national health system. This law establishes mental health as a fundamental right, with a strong emphasis on promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental disorders.

Regulatory Bodies

Colombian College of Psychologists (Colpsic)

• Founded: 2004
• Legal Status: Non-profit professional guild (entidad gremial sin ánimo de lucro)
• Authority: Unique authorised entity to group, represent, and issue professional cards for psychologists in Colombia
• Website: https://www.colpsic.org.co/
• Address: National coverage through 11 regional chapters
• Contact Information:
• Phone: 601-7451470 (Bogotá)
• Email: colpsic@colpsic.org.co
• Social Media: @colpsicoficial (Facebook, Instagram), @colpsic (Twitter)

• Integration: Psychology regulated as part of Colombia's professional council system
• Oversight: Ministry of Education oversees unregulated professions requiring graduate degree accreditation
• International Trade: U.S. Trade Administration recognises psychology as strictly regulated profession in Colombia

Professional Associations and Organisations

Colombian Society of Psychology

• Focus: Scientific and academic emphasis
• Role: Research and academic development
• Collaboration: Works with Colpsic on professional development

• Mission: Professional advancement and development
• Services: Support for psychology profession growth

• Colombian Association of Clinical Psychology: Clinical practice specialisation
• Colombian Association of Neuropsychology: Neuropsychological services
• Industrial/Organisational Psychology Association: Workplace psychology
• Behaviour Analysis Association: Applied behaviour analysis
• Social Psychology Association: Social and community psychology
• Sport Psychology Association: Athletic and performance psychology
• Forensic Psychology Association: Legal and court psychology
• Cognitive Therapy Association: Cognitive-behavioural interventions
• Health Psychology Association: Medical and health psychology
• Family Psychology Association: Family and relationship therapy

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Professional Psychologist (Psicólogo)

• Undergraduate Training: 5-year professional psychology program (terminal degree)
• Academic Level: Comparable to Master's degree level in international standards
• Accredited Diploma: Valid academic diploma or professional certificate in psychology required
• University Recognition: Degree from recognised Colombian or international institution

• Undergraduate Programs: Approximately 100 professional training programs nationwide
• Graduate Programs: Approximately 25 Master's programs, 3 doctoral programs
• Doctoral Programs: University of Valle (Cali, 2005), University of the North (Barranquilla, 2006), University of the Andes (Bogotá, 2009)
• International Training: Graduate training often undertaken abroad (USA, Spain, Belgium, France, Russia, Mexico, Brazil)

Professional Card (Tarjeta Profesional)

• Mandatory Registration: All practising psychologists must obtain a professional card from Colpsic
• Documentation: Completed registration form, personal identification, accredited diploma, photographs, registration fee payment
• Renewal: Professional cards have expiration dates and require periodic renewal
• Verification: Professional card serves as official authorisation to practice psychology

• Application: Submit required documents to Colpsic
• Review: Professional council reviews qualifications and documentation
• Issuance: Professional card issued upon approval
• Maintenance: Ongoing compliance with professional standards and renewal requirements

Professional Practice Requirements

Scope of Practice

• Clinical Practice: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions
• Educational Psychology: School-based psychological services and educational assessment
• Industrial/Organisational Psychology: Workplace psychology and organisational consultation
• Forensic Psychology: Legal and court-related psychological services
• Community Psychology: Community mental health and prevention services
• Health Psychology: Medical and health-related psychological services
• Family Psychology: Family therapy and relationship counselling

Professional Standards and Ethics

• Authority: Ethical Code for Psychologists, determined by the Colombian College of Psychology
• Framework: Law 1090 of 2006 establishes deontological and ethical code
• Enforcement: Professional disciplinary procedures for ethical violations
• Standards: Quality standards for professional practice established by Colpsic

• Disciplinary Fields: Professional fields organised by psychology application areas
• Quality Standards: Colpsic generates standards for professional practice
• Public Guidance: Professional guidance to public opinion
• Policy Development: Suggestions for policies benefiting profession and community

Verification and Complaint Procedures

Professional Verification

• Colpsic Database: Professional card verification through Colpsic systems
• Online Services: Trámites (procedures) available through website
• Documentation: Professional card certificates and professional background certificates available
• Public Access: Professional standing verification for public protection

Complaint and Disciplinary Procedures

• Disciplinary Authority: Professional tribunals (Tribunales) handle misconduct cases
• Ethical Violations: Investigation and sanctions for ethical code violations
• Professional Standards: Enforcement of professional practice standards
• Due Process: Formal procedures for professional discipline

• Law 842 Sanctions: Legal consequences for unlicensed practice
• Professional Sanctions: Colpsic disciplinary actions for members
• Quality Assurance: Ongoing monitoring of professional standards
• Public Protection: Consumer protection through regulatory oversight

References and Official Sources

Law 842. Colombian Congress. Sanctions for unlicensed professional practice.

Colombian College of Psychologists (Colpsic)

Colombia - Licensing Requirements for Professional Services. (2023, November 25). U.S. International Trade Administration.

The State of Psychological Science in Colombia. (2011, February 11). Association for Psychological Science.

Trámites Colpsic. Professional card procedures.

The Colombian Psychological Code of Ethics and Bioethics. Law 1090 of 2006 deontological and ethical framework.

¿Quiénes Somos? Colombian College of Psychologists.

Colombian Society of Psychology. Scientific and academic psychology organisation.

Specialised Professional Associations. Various Colombian psychology speciality organisations.

Colombia. International Union of Psychological Science.

Training, Academic, and Professional Development in Psychology in Colombia. (2021, May 20). ResearchGate professional statistics.

Professional Verification Services. Colpsic professional card verification systems.

Mental Health Law in Colombia. (2015). PMC. Evolution of mental health legislation and professional regulation.