Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Hong Kong: 2025 Guide

3. HONG KONG PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (HKPS)

Professional Association (Non-Regulatory)

• Website: https://www.hkps.org.hk/
• Status: Professional association, not accredited under AR Scheme
• Function: Professional development, advocacy, voluntary registration
• Divisions: Clinical Psychology Division, Educational Psychology Division, others

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

1. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Regulatory Authority: Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologists (HKICP)

Protected Title: "Clinical Psychologist in Accredited Register" (since September 18, 2023)

Scope of Practice (HKICP Standards):

• Assessment and Diagnosis: Psychological assessment, psychometric testing, diagnostic formulation
• Psychological Intervention: Individual, group, family, and couples therapy
• Consultation: Professional consultation to healthcare teams and organisations
• Research: Clinical research and evidence-based practice
• Training and Supervision: Training of psychology students and supervision of junior psychologists

Practice Settings:

• Public hospitals and clinics
• Private practice
• Community mental health centres
• Rehabilitation services
• Educational institutions

Scope Restrictions:

• Cannot prescribe medication (unless also a medical doctor)
• Must practice within competency areas
• Requires appropriate supervision for specialised interventions

2. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Regulatory Authority: Hong Kong Association of Educational Psychologists (HKAEP)

Protected Title: "Educational Psychologist in Accredited Register"

Scope of Practice:

• Educational Assessment: Learning difficulties, intellectual assessment, educational planning
• Intervention Services: Learning support, behavioural intervention, counselling
• Consultation: School consultation, teacher training, parent guidance
• System Work: Educational policy development, program evaluation

Practice Settings:

• Education Bureau
• Special schools
• Mainstream schools
• Private practice
• Non-governmental organizations

3. OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Psychiatrists:

• Regulatory Authority: Medical Council of Hong Kong
• Requirements: Medical degree + psychiatric specialisation
• Scope: Medical treatment, prescription authority, involuntary admission decisions
• Website: https://www.mchk.org.hk/

Social Workers:

• Regulatory Authority: Social Workers Registration Board
• Requirements: Social work degree + registration
• Scope: Psychosocial intervention, case management, community work
• Website: https://www.swrb.org.hk/

Counselors:

• Regulatory Status: No statutory regulation
• Professional Bodies: Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association, various training institutes
• Practice: Voluntary professional standards, no protected titles

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Clinical Psychology (HKICP Standards)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from accredited program
• Accredited Programs recognised by:
  • Australia Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
  • Hong Kong accredited programs

Core Curriculum Requirements:

• Psychological Assessment: Psychometric testing, diagnostic assessment
• Psychological Intervention: Evidence-based therapies, treatment planning
• Research Methods: Statistics, research design, thesis/dissertation
• Professional Ethics: Ethical principles, professional conduct
• Supervised Practice: Minimum supervised clinical experience

Supervised Clinical Practice:

• Duration: Minimum requirements as per accredited program
• Settings: Approved clinical placements
• Supervision: Qualified clinical psychologists
• Competency Assessment: Regular evaluation and feedback

Educational Psychology (HKAEP Standards)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Educational Psychology or equivalent
• Supervised Practice in educational settings
• Professional Training in assessment and intervention

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC

HKICP Register Search

• Visit https://www.icphk.org.hk/en/
• Click "Check the Register"
• Search by name or registration number
• Verify current registration status
• Check registration category and conditions

Information Available:

• Full name and registration number
• Registration status (active/inactive/suspended)
• Registration category
• Date of registration
• Any conditions or restrictions

Department of Health AR Scheme Verification

• Visit https://www.ars.gov.hk/
• Check accredited professional bodies
• Verify HKICP accreditation status
• Access public information about AR Scheme

DISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK

HKICP Disciplinary Process

Professional Conduct Committee:

• Investigates complaints against registrants
• Determines professional misconduct
• Imposes sanctions according to procedures

Types of Misconduct:

• Breach of professional ethics
• Incompetent practice
• Criminal conviction
• Breach of registration conditions
• Unprofessional conduct

Sanctions Available:

• Warning: Formal written warning
• Conditions: Additional training, supervision requirements
• Suspension: Temporary removal from the register
• Removal: Permanent removal from register
• Costs: Payment of investigation costs

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

Filing Complaints:

• Submit a written complaint to HKICP
• Provide detailed information and evidence
• Investigation by Professional Conduct Committee
• Hearing process with due process rights
• Decision and appeal procedures

Public Protection:

• Professional indemnity insurance required
• Clear complaint procedures
• Transparent disciplinary process
• Public access to disciplinary decisions

PROTECTED TITLES AND LEGAL STATUS

Protected Titles (AR Scheme)

• "Clinical Psychologist in Accredited Register" (HKICP registrants)
• "Educational Psychologist in Accredited Register" (HKAEP registrants)

Legal Protection:

• Use of protected titles restricted to registered professionals
• Misuse may result in legal action
• Public can verify title authenticity through registers

Unprotected Titles

• "Psychologist" (general term, not protected)
• "Counsellor" (no statutory protection)
• "Therapist" (no statutory protection)

RED FLAGS FOR PUBLIC

Warning Signs:

• Practitioner not found in HKICP register (for clinical psychology services)
• Claims to prescribe medication (unless also a medical doctor)
• Refuses to provide registration number or credentials
• Uses protected titles without proper registration
• No clear complaint procedure available
• Practices outside registered competency areas

Verification Steps:

• Check HKICP register online
• Verify protected title usage
• Confirm professional indemnity insurance
• Ask about complaint procedures
• Verify qualifications and training

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Department of Health

Medical Council of Hong Kong

Social Workers Registration Board

Hong Kong Psychological Society

Hospital Authority

Hong Kong Association of Educational Psychologists (HKAEP)

Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologists (HKICP)

This guide reflects Hong Kong's non-statutory system for mental health professional regulation, with voluntary registration managed through the Department of Health's Accredited Registers Scheme (AR Scheme) since 2016. The system requires university graduation and registration with an accredited professional body for practice, with professional standards and disciplinary authority handled by these bodies. Verify current registration with the appropriate accredited professional body (e.g., HKICP) and the Department of Health's AR Scheme for the most up-to-date information.