Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Indonesia: 2025 Guide

Ministry of Education and Culture

• Role: Psychology education program accreditation and standards
• Coordination: Works with HIMPSI and Ministry of Health for professional alignment
• Educational Standards: Oversees university psychology program requirements

Professional Categories and Licensing Requirements

Psychologist (Psikolog)

Educational Requirements

• Undergraduate: Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Sarjana Psikologi - S.Psi)
• Graduate: Master's degree in Psychology (Magister Psikologi - M.Psi)
• Professional Program: Psychology profession program (equivalent to internship/practicum)
• Specialisation: Additional training for specialised areas (clinical, educational, industrial)

Licensing Requirements

• HIMPSI Membership: Mandatory membership in Indonesian Psychological Association
• SILP: Psychology Service License (Surat Izin Layanan Psikologi) required for practice
• STR: Letter of Registration from the Ministry of Health (for healthcare settings)
• Continuing Education: Professional development requirements through HIMPSI

Scope of Practice

• Psychological Assessment: Comprehensive psychological testing and evaluation
• Psychotherapy: Individual, group, and family therapy services
• Consultation: Professional consultation to organisations and institutions
• Research: Psychological research and program evaluation
• Training: Professional training and supervision of psychology students

Clinical Psychologist (Psikolog Klinis)

Educational Requirements

• Basic Psychology Education: Bachelor's and Master's in Psychology
• Clinical Specialisation: Specialised clinical psychology training program
• Internship: Clinical internship in approved healthcare facilities
• Supervision: Supervised clinical practice under a licensed clinical psychologist

Scope of Practice

• Clinical Assessment: Diagnosis and assessment of mental health disorders
• Psychotherapy: Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
• Crisis Intervention: Emergency mental health services
• Consultation: Clinical consultation to healthcare teams
• Research: Clinical psychology research and evidence-based practice

Educational Psychologist (Psikolog Pendidikan)

Educational Requirements

• Basic Psychology Education: Bachelor's and Master's in Psychology
• Educational Specialisation: Specialised educational psychology training
• School-Based Training: Practicum in educational settings

Scope of Practice

• Educational Assessment: Learning and developmental assessments
• Academic Intervention: Learning support and remediation programs
• Consultation: Consultation to schools and educational institutions
• Career Guidance: Educational and vocational counselling

Industrial/Organisational Psychologist (Psikolog Industri dan Organisasi)

Educational Requirements

• Basic Psychology Education: Bachelor's and Master's in Psychology
• I/O Specialisation: Specialised industrial/organisational psychology training
• Workplace Training: Practicum in organisational settings

Scope of Practice

• Personnel Assessment: Employee selection and evaluation
• Organisational Development: Workplace improvement and change management
• Training and Development: Employee training program design and implementation
• Consultation: Organisational consultation and advisory services

Verification Procedures

HIMPSI Verification System

Portal: https://himpsi.or.id/cari-psikolog

Search Capabilities:

• Name search (without titles or degrees)
• Province filter (37 provinces available)
• City/Regency filter
• Association filter (22 specialised associations)

Verification Process:

1. Access Portal: Visit HIMPSI official verification website
2. Enter Information: Input the psychologist's name without titles
3. Apply Filters: Select relevant province, city, or association filters
4. Review Results: Verify membership status and specialisation
5. Contact Verification: Cross-reference with the provided contact information

Ministry of Health STR Verification

Purpose: Verify healthcare worker registration for psychologists working in healthcare settings

Process: Contact relevant regional health office for STR verification

Validity: Lifetime validity under the new Health Law No. 17 of 2023

Red Flags and Warning Signs

Unqualified Practitioners - Warning Signs:

• Cannot provide HIMPSI membership number or refuses to show membership certificate
• Claims exemption from HIMPSI membership for psychology practice
• Uses "Psikolog" title without proper HIMPSI membership and educational qualifications
• Cannot provide SILP (Psychology Service License) for professional practice
• Claims qualifications from unrecognised institutions not accredited for psychology programs
• Offers services outside scope of practice without proper specialisation training
• Makes unrealistic promises or guarantees about treatment outcomes
• Requests inappropriate personal information unrelated to psychological services
• Suggests discontinuing prescribed psychiatric medication without consulting prescribing physician
• Operates without proper professional insurance or institutional affiliation
• Claims to cure serious mental illnesses through unproven or alternative methods
• Charges excessive fees without transparent fee structure
• Refuses to provide treatment records or documentation of sessions
• Cannot verify educational credentials from recognised Indonesian universities

Verification Steps for Users:

• Check HIMPSI Membership: Use https://himpsi.or.id/cari-psikolog to verify membership
• Verify Educational Credentials: Confirm psychology degree from accredited Indonesian university
• Check SILP License: Request to see Psychology Service License
• Confirm Specialisation: Verify specialised training for claimed areas of expertise
• Research Background: Look up practitioner in professional networks and directories
• Ask for Credentials: Request to see original certificates and licenses
• Verify Institutional Affiliation: Confirm employment or affiliation with recognised institutions
• Check STR Registration: For healthcare settings, verify Ministry of Health registration

What to Do If You Encounter Problems:

• Document Everything: Keep detailed records of interactions, concerns, and inappropriate behaviour
• Contact HIMPSI: File complaint with Indonesian Psychological Association
• Website: https://himpsi.or.id/
• Report through provincial HIMPSI organisations
• Contact Ministry of Health: Report healthcare-related violations to the regional health office
• Contact Educational Institution: Report to university if the practitioner claims affiliation
• Seek Second Opinion: Consult another qualified, HIMPSI-registered psychologist
• Report Serious Issues: Contact local police if criminal activity or serious misconduct suspected
• Protect Yourself: Discontinue services immediately if safety concerns arise
• Consumer Protection: File a complaint with the consumer protection agency for financial fraud

Your Rights and Protections

As a Client, You Have the Right To:

• Qualified, HIMPSI-registered psychologists for all psychology services
• Confidentiality and privacy protection under professional ethical guidelines
• Informed consent about treatment including risks, benefits, and alternatives
• Access to your treatment records and documentation of sessions
• Second opinions from other qualified professionals
• File complaints about poor service or professional misconduct
• Discontinue treatment at any time without penalty or coercion
• Transparent fee structure and advance notice of costs
• Cultural and linguistic sensitivity in treatment approaches
• Referral to appropriate specialists when needed
• Professional boundaries are maintained at all times

Questions to Ask Your Mental Health Professional:

• Are you a member of HIMPSI? (Required for psychology practice)
• What is your HIMPSI membership number?
• Do you have a SILP (Psychology Service License)?
• What are your educational qualifications and where did you study?
• What is your area of specialisation and experience?
• What treatment approach will you use for my concerns?
• How long might treatment typically take?
• What are the costs and payment options?
• What are the potential risks and benefits of treatment?
• Do you have professional insurance coverage?
• When would you refer me to a psychiatrist or other specialist?
• What is your complaints procedure?

Professional Standards You Should Expect:

• Proper credentials displayed and readily available for inspection
• Clear explanation of qualifications and scope of practice
• Transparent fee structure discussed before treatment begins
• Informed consent process for all treatments and assessments
• Confidentiality maintained except in legally required situations
• Professional boundaries are maintained at all times
• Referral to appropriate specialists when needed
• Regular review of treatment progress and goals
• Respectful, non-discriminatory treatment regardless of background
• Evidence-based treatment approaches following international standards
• Clear complaints procedure and professional accountability
• Appropriate clinical facilities and professional environment

References

Law Number 23 of 2022 concerning Psychology Education and Services, Republic of Indonesia

Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health (New Health Law), Republic of Indonesia

HIMPSI (Himpunan Psikologi Indonesia)

Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia

Ministry of Education and Culture Republic of Indonesia

HIMPSI Psychologist Verification Portal

This guide reflects Indonesia's comprehensive mental health professional regulatory system, legally established by Law Number 23 of 2022. The system requires mandatory registration with HIMPSI (Himpunan Psikologi Indonesia), university graduation, and a Psychology Service License (SILP) for professional practice. HIMPSI is the legally designated body for standards and disciplinary authority. Verify current requirements with HIMPSI and the Ministry of Health for the most up-to-date information.