Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in India: 2025 Guide

In India, the regulation of mental health professionals is divided by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while clinical psychologists are licensed under a separate national council, and counsellors operate in an unregulated field.

This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's official license with the correct national council, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

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OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

CENTRAL REGULATORY AUTHORITIES WITH COMPLETE CONTACT DETAILS

STATE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (NON-REGULATORY)

RCI-REGULATED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

NMC-REGULATED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

NURSING COUNCIL-REGULATED PROFESSIONALS

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES

RED FLAGS AND WARNING SIGNS

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

IMPORTANT LEGAL DISTINCTIONS

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Primary Legal Authority

Date: 1st September 1992

Authority: Parliament of India

Legal Status: Official Parliamentary Act

Purpose: "Regulating and monitoring the training of rehabilitation professionals and personnel, promoting research in rehabilitation and special education, the maintenance of a Central Rehabilitation Register and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto."

Additional Legal Frameworks

• National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (for Medical Professionals)
• Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 (for Nursing Professionals)
• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (for Mental Health Services Framework)
• National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 (Future Framework)

CENTRAL REGULATORY AUTHORITIES WITH COMPLETE CONTACT DETAILS

Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

Website: https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/

Verification Portal: https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/ (Central Rehabilitation Register)

Phone: +91-11-26567851, +91-11-26532311, +91-11-26532312

Email: rci@nic.in

Address: B-22, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016

Legal Authority: The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 (Parliamentary Act No. 34)

Status: Statutory Body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

National Medical Commission (NMC)

Verification Portal: https://www.nmc.org.in/ (Medical Practitioner Search)

Phone: +91-11-23239437

Email: info@nmc.org.in

Legal Authority: National Medical Commission Act, 2019

Status: Statutory Body replacing Medical Council of India

Indian Nursing Council (INC)

Legal Authority: Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947

Status: Statutory Body for Nursing Regulation

STATE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

Karnataka State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA)

Legal Authority: Mental Health Care Act 2017, Sections 45 & 46

Phone: 080-29559040

Address: Arogya Soudha, 4th Floor, West Wing, Magadi Road, Bengaluru - 560023

Maharashtra State Mental Health Authority

Contact: Through Maharashtra Health Department

Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority

Contact: Through the Tamil Nadu Health Department

Delhi State Mental Health Authority

Contact: Through Delhi Health Department

West Bengal State Mental Health Authority

Contact: Through West Bengal Health Department

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (NON-REGULATORY)

COUNSELLOR COUNCIL OF INDIA (CCI) MEMBERS

Website: https://cci.org.in/

Status: Professional Association (NOT statutory regulator)

Important Distinctions:

• CCI is NOT a statutory regulatory body
• Members CANNOT use RCI-protected titles
• CANNOT claim to provide services requiring RCI registration
• Provide counselling services under professional association standards
• No legal protection of title "counsellor"

Services Provided:

• General counselling and guidance
• Career counselling
• Educational counselling
• Personal development counselling
• Stress management

Verification: Contact CCI directly through website

INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS (IACP)

Website: https://iacp.in/

Established: 1968

Status: Professional Association for Clinical Psychologists

Important Distinctions:

• IACP is a professional association, not a regulator
• Membership typically requires RCI registration
• Provides continuing education and professional development
• Advocates for clinical psychology profession
• Does not grant practice authority

Verification: Contact IACP directly, but confirm RCI registration separately

RCI-REGULATED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

1. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Registration Category: Clinical Psychology

Protected Title: "Clinical Psychologist"

Legal Framework: RCI Act 1992, Section 2(h)

Authorised Scope of Practice:

• Psychological assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders
• Individual, group, and family psychotherapy
• Psychological testing and evaluation
• Crisis intervention and emergency psychological services
• Consultation and liaison services
• Research in clinical psychology
• Expert testimony in legal proceedings
  

Education Requirements:

• Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from RCI-recognised institution
• M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology
• One-year mandatory internship in clinical psychology
• Registration with RCI upon completion
• Continuing Professional Development requirements
  

Current Statistics: 3,372 Clinical Psychologists registered with RCI as of July 2023

Verification: Visit https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/ and search the practitioner database

2. REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGIST

Registration Category: Rehabilitation Psychology

Protected Title: "Rehabilitation Psychologist"

Authorised Scope of Practice:

• Psychological assessment for individuals with disabilities
• Rehabilitation counselling and therapy
• Vocational assessment and guidance
• Family counselling for disability-related issues
• Community-based rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology assessment

Education Requirements:

• Master's degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from RCI-recognised institution
• Internship in rehabilitation settings
• Registration with RCI

Verification: Visit https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/ and search practitioner database

NMC-REGULATED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

4. PSYCHIATRIST

Registration Category: Medical Practitioner with Psychiatry Specialisation

Protected Title: "Psychiatrist"

Authorised Scope of Practice:

• Medical diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
• Prescribing psychiatric medications
• Electroconvulsive therapy and other medical interventions
• Involuntary treatment orders under Mental Health Care Act
• Medical evaluation for legal proceedings
• Supervision of psychiatric residents and medical students

Education Requirements:

• MBBS degree from NMC-recognised medical college
• Medical internship (1 year)
• MD/DNB in Psychiatry (3 years)
• Registration with NMC and the State Medical Council

Verification: Visit https://www.nmc.org.in/ and search the medical practitioner database

NURSING COUNCIL-REGULATED PROFESSIONALS

5. PSYCHIATRIC NURSE

Registration Category: Psychiatric Nursing

Protected Title: "Psychiatric Nurse"

Authorised Scope of Practice:

• Nursing care for individuals with mental health conditions
• Administration of psychiatric medications under medical supervision
• Mental health assessment within nursing scope
• Therapeutic nursing interventions
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Patient and family education

Education Requirements:

• Basic nursing qualification (GNM/B.Sc. Nursing)
• Post-basic diploma/degree in Psychiatric Nursing
• Registration with the State Nursing Council

Verification: Contact the relevant State Nursing Council

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

7. SOCIAL WORKERS

Professional Association: National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI)

Scope of Practice in Mental Health:

• Psychosocial assessment and intervention
• Case management and coordination
• Community mental health services
• Family counselling and support
• Advocacy and resource mobilisation

Education Requirements: Vary by state and employer

Verification: Contact relevant state authority or professional association

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES

RCI Verification Steps:

• Visit https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/
• Navigate to the practitioner verification section
• Enter practitioner's name or registration number
• Verify current registration status
• Check qualification details and registration category

NMC Verification Steps:

• Visit https://www.nmc.org.in/
• Access medical practitioner search
• Enter doctor's name or registration number
• Verify medical registration and specialisation
• Check for any restrictions or conditions

State Authority Verification:

• Contact relevant State Mental Health Authority
• Provide the practitioner's full name and claimed qualifications
• Request verification of registration status
• Confirm scope of practice authorisation

RED FLAGS AND WARNING SIGNS

Immediate Red Flags:

• Use of "Clinical Psychologist" title without RCI registration
• Claims of RCI registration that cannot be verified
• Confusion between CCI membership and RCI registration
• Services offered outside the registered scope of practice
• Inability to provide registration numbers
• Claims to diagnose mental disorders without appropriate qualifications
• Expired or suspended registration
  

Legal Violations:

• Using RCI-protected titles without registration violates RCI Act 1992
• Practising outside the scope of practice violates professional regulations
• Fraudulent claims about qualifications constitute professional misconduct
  

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

RCI Complaints:

• Email: rci@nic.in
• Phone: +91-11-26567851
• Address: B-22, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016

NMC Complaints:

• Email: info@nmc.org.in
• Phone: +91-11-23239437
• Website: https://www.nmc.org.in/

State Authority Complaints:

Contact relevant State Mental Health Authority through the state health department

IMPORTANT LEGAL DISTINCTIONS

Statutory vs. Professional Bodies:

• RCI: Statutory regulator with legal authority
• NMC: Statutory regulator with legal authority
• CCI: Professional association without regulatory authority
• IACP: Professional association without regulatory authority
• SMHAs: Statutory authorities for state-level oversight

Protected Titles:

• "Clinical Psychologist" - Protected by RCI Act 1992
• "Rehabilitation Psychologist" - Protected by RCI Act 1992
• "Psychiatrist" - Protected by medical registration laws
• "Counsellor" - NOT protected (anyone can use this title)

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
National Medical Commission (NMC)
Indian Nursing Council (INC)
Karnataka State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA)
Tamil Nadu State Mental Health Authority
Maharashtra State Mental Health Authority
Delhi State Mental Health Authority
West Bengal State Mental Health Authority
Counsellor Council of India (CCI)
Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP)

This guide provides comprehensive information about mental health professional regulation in India. For the most current information, always consult official government sources and regulatory bodies.