Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Egypt: 2025 Guide

4. EGYPTIAN HEALTH COUNCIL

Role: Medical licensing examination authority

Function: Administers licensing examinations for medical practice

Requirements:

• Successful completion of Egyptian Medical Licensing
• Examination Academic requirements for Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery
• Completion of mandatory service period

5. GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT

Role: Specialised mental health administration

Secretary General: Menan Abdelmaksoud

Establishment: 1997 (Presidential decree consolidating mental health hospitals)

Functions:

• Management of government mental health hospitals
• Statistical data collection on mental health services
• Coordination of mental health service delivery
• Oversight of addiction treatment services

Facilities Under Management:

• Abbasiya Hospital (Cairo)
• Helwan Hospital (Cairo)
• Khanka Hospital (Cairo)
• Al-Maamoura Hospital (Alexandria)
• Abbas Helmy Hospital (Alexandria)
• Regional hospitals in Delta and Canal cities

---

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

1. PSYCHIATRIST (FULLY REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health and Population

License Required: Medical license with psychiatry specialisation

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree: Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
• Medical Licensing Examination: Egyptian Medical Licensing Examination
• Psychiatry Specialisation: Specialised psychiatric training
• Ministry License: License from Ministry of Health and Population (required under 2021 amendments)
• Mandatory Service: Completion of required service period

Scope of Practice:

• Medical Diagnosis: Mental health and psychiatric disorders
• Medication Prescription: Psychotropic and psychiatric medications
• Psychotherapy: Exclusive right to practice psychotherapy (unless others licensed by Ministry)
• Hospitalisation Authority: Medical commitment and treatment decisions
• Medical Procedures: Psychiatric medical interventions including ECT

Professional Requirements:

• Ministry License: Mandatory licensing under the Patient Care Act 2021
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development
• Professional Conduct: Compliance with medical ethics and standards

Current Workforce Statistics:

• 1,832 practising psychiatrists (2021 data)
• 1,106 providing mental health services (National Council registration)
• Significant emigration: 4,127 doctors resigned in 2021 (all specialities)

2. PSYCHOLOGIST (DEVELOPING REGULATION)

Current Status: Enhanced regulation under development

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health and Population (new committee established 2024)

Recent Regulatory Developments (2024):

• Committee Formation: New committee to develop unified licensing system
• Stricter Regulations: Mandatory training in latest scientific methods
• Professional Standards: Enhanced education and training requirements

Current Practice:

• Variable Standards: No unified licensing system currently
• Professional Training: Requirements under development
• Ministry Oversight: New regulatory framework being implemented

Planned Requirements:

• Standardised Training: Mandatory training in scientific methods
• Licensing System: Unified licensing for psychological centres
• Professional Development: Ongoing education requirements

3. PSYCHOTHERAPIST (RESTRICTED PRACTICE)

Legal Status: Restricted practice under Mental Health Act

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health and Population

Legal Framework:

• Exclusive Psychiatrist Right: Only psychiatrists may practice psychotherapy
• Ministry Licensing Exception: Others may practice if licensed by Ministry of Health
• Training Requirements: National Council for Mental Health designated as accredited training body

Training Authority:

• National Council for Mental Health: Accredited body for psychotherapy training
• Collaboration: Working with Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Drug Abuse
• Non-Psychiatrist Training: Specific training programs for non-medical psychotherapists

Scope of Practice:

• Licensed Practice: Only with Ministry of Health license
• Supervised Training: Under National Council accreditation
• Restricted Authority: Cannot prescribe medication or make medical diagnoses

4. MENTAL HEALTH NURSE

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health and Population

Specialisation: Psychiatric nursing within general nursing regulation

Requirements:

• Nursing Degree: Bachelor's in Nursing
• Psychiatric Training: Specialised mental health nursing training
• Ministry License: Professional nursing license

5. SOCIAL WORKER (MENTAL HEALTH)

Practice: Mental health social work within general social work regulation

Training: Social work education with mental health specialisation

---

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE PUBLIC

Verifying Psychiatrist Credentials:

1. Ministry License Check: Verify current Ministry of Health license
2. Medical Syndicate Membership: Confirm Egyptian Medical Syndicate registration
3. Specialisation Verification: Confirm psychiatry specialisation training
4. Hospital Affiliation: Check employment at recognised medical institutions
5. National Council Registration: Verify registration with National Council for Mental Health

Verifying Psychologist Credentials:

1. Educational Background: Verify psychology degree from a recognised institution
2. Professional Training: Confirm specialised training and certification
3. Ministry Compliance: Check compliance with new regulatory requirements
4. Institutional Affiliation: Verify employment at licensed facilities

Verifying Psychotherapist Credentials:

1. Ministry License: Confirm Ministry of Health license for psychotherapy practice
2. Training Verification: Verify National Council-accredited training
3. Supervision Documentation: Confirm supervised practice requirements
4. Professional Background: Verify educational and training background

---

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

For Psychiatrists:

Authority: Ministry of Health and Population

Process:

Written Complaint: Submit a detailed complaint to the Ministry

Investigation: Ministry investigation of professional conduct

Disciplinary Action: Possible sanctions including:

• License suspension
• License revocation
• Professional restrictions
• Legal proceedings

Medical Syndicate: Additional professional association procedures

For Psychologists/Psychotherapists:

Authority: Ministry of Health and Population (new framework)

Process:

1. Ministry Complaint: Submit a complaint to the Ministry licensing authority
2. Facility Complaints: Complaints to licensed facility management
3. Professional Standards: Violation of training and practice standards
4. Legal Action: Civil or criminal proceedings for unlicensed practice

For Unlicensed Practice:

Legal Framework: Criminal penalties for unauthorised practice

Enforcement: Ministry of Health inspection and enforcement

Penalties: Legal sanctions for practising without proper licensing

---

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS

Mental Health Infrastructure (2024):

• 223 mental health facilities nationwide
• 11,628 total beds (mental health)
• 1,747 addiction treatment beds (government facilities)
• 4,508 addiction treatment beds (private facilities)

Service Statistics (Recent Year):

• 55,057 cases admitted to mental health facilities
• 19,528 cases in government facilities
• 35,529 cases in private facilities
• 51,673 patients discharged

Professional Workforce:

• 1,832 practising psychiatrists (2021 official data)
• 1,106 psychiatrists providing services (National Council registration)
• 849 registered specialists and consultants
• 187 independent medical evaluators
• 70 regional inspectors

Geographic Distribution:

• 22 government hospitals specialising in psychiatry
• 259,458 outpatient visits annually
• Urban concentration in Cairo and Alexandria
• Limited rural services

---

PROTECTED TITLES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Legally Protected Titles:

• "Psychiatrist": Protected under medical licensing laws
• "Medical Doctor": Protected under medical practice regulations

Restricted Practice:

• "Psychotherapist": Restricted to psychiatrists or Ministry-licensed practitioners
• Medical Procedures: Restricted to licensed medical practitioners

Legal Penalties:

• Unauthorised Medical Practice: Criminal penalties for unlicensed medical practice
• Professional Misconduct: Ministry disciplinary actions
• Facility Violations: Penalties for operating unlicensed facilities

---

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

1. Verify Ministry License: Ensure practitioner has current Ministry of Health license
2. Check Specialisation: Confirm psychiatric specialisation for medical treatment
3. Facility Licensing: Verify facility has proper licensing
4. Professional Background: Check educational and training credentials
5. Referral Sources: Seek referrals from medical professionals or institutions

For Serious Mental Health Issues:

• Medical Evaluation: Consult licensed psychiatrists for medical assessment
• Government Hospitals: Access established government mental health facilities
• Emergency Care: Use emergency services for psychiatric crises

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Unlicensed Practice: Practitioners without Ministry licensing
• Unverified Credentials: Cannot provide verifiable qualifications
• Unlicensed Facilities: Services in unlicensed or unregulated facilities

---

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Egyptian Psychiatric Association

Ministry of Health and Population

National Council for Mental Health

Egyptian Medical Syndicate

Egyptian Health Council

---

This guide reflects Egypt's evolving mental health regulatory framework. Recent reforms in 2024 are strengthening oversight of both professionals and facilities. Verify current licensing status with Ministry of Health and Population for the most up-to-date information.