Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Iran: 2025 Guide
TherapyRoute
Clinical Editorial
Cape Town, South Africa
❝In Iran, medically-licensed psychiatrists and nationally-licensed psychologists operate under entirely different rules, and knowing how to check their official registrations is the first step toward finding safe mental health care.❞
In Iran, the regulation of mental health professionals is divided by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed through the Iran Medical Council (IRIMC), while psychologists and counsellors are licensed by the Psychology and Counselling Organisation (PCO).
This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's credentials on the official registers, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.
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Find Your TherapistTable of Contents | Jump Ahead
Professional Categories and Scope of Practice
Verification Procedures for the Public
Current Professional Statistics
Protected Titles and Legal Framework
Official Legal Framework
Primary Legislation:- Mental Health Law (Draft): Currently under parliamentary review - 6 sections, 50 articles
- Civil Law: Provides basic protections for psychiatric patients
- Islamic Penal Code: Addresses mental health in criminal justice context
- Medical Practice Regulations: Governed by Iran Medical Council (IRIMC)
- Psychology and Counselling Organisation Act: Establishes PCO regulatory authority
Regulatory Authorities
1. PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING ORGANIZATION OF IRAN (PCO)
Official Name: سازمان نظام روانشناسی و مشاوره جمهوری اسلامی ایرانWebsite: https://pcoiran.ir/
Established: 2007
Legal Authority: Psychology and Counselling Organisation Act
Functions:
- Issues professional licenses (Pervaneh Eshteghal / پروانه اشتغال)
- Maintains professional register
- Conducts professional competency examinations
- Enforces professional ethics and standards
- Investigates complaints and disciplinary actions
- Address: Tehran, Iran (Central Office)
- Phone: Available through official website
- Email: Contact through official website portal
- Online Services: Member registration, license verification, complaint filing
2. IRAN MEDICAL COUNCIL (IRIMC)
Official Name: نظام پزشکی جمهوری اسلامی ایرانWebsite: https://irimc.org/
Legal Authority: Medical Practice Act
Functions:
- Licenses medical doctors including psychiatrists
- Issues speciality certifications
- Maintains medical practitioner register
- Enforces medical ethics and professional standards
- Continuing Medical Education (CME) oversight
- Address: Tehran, Iran
- Phone: Available through official website
- Email: Available through official website
- Online Services: License verification, good standing certificates
3. MINISTRY OF HEALTH, TREATMENT AND MEDICAL EDUCATION
Role: Policy oversight and healthcare system regulationWebsite: https://mohme.gov.ir/
Functions: Healthcare policy, medical education accreditation, public health oversight
Professional Categories and Scope of Practice
1. LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST (روانشناس مجاز)
Regulatory Authority: Psychology and Counselling Organisation of Iran (PCO)License Required: Pervaneh Eshteghal (پروانه اشتغال)
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree: Psychology (لیسانس روانشناسی) - 4 years
- Master's Degree: Specialized psychology field (فوق لیسانس) - 2 years
- Clinical Psychology (روانشناسی بالینی)
- Counseling Psychology (روانشناسی مشاوره)
- Educational Psychology (روانشناسی تربیتی)
- Health Psychology (روانشناسی سلامت)
- General Psychology (روانشناسی عمومی)
- Application Submission: Complete application with required documents
- Document Verification: Academic credentials and identity verification
- Professional Interview: Demonstration of academic qualifications and competency
- License Issuance: Upon successful completion of requirements
- Psychological Assessment: Standardised testing and evaluation
- Psychotherapy: Individual, group, family, and couples therapy
- Counselling Services: Mental health counselling and support
- Consultation: Professional consultation to other healthcare providers
- Research: Psychological research within ethical guidelines
- Cannot Prescribe Medication: Only medical doctors can prescribe
- Cannot Diagnose Medical Conditions: Limited to psychological diagnoses
- Must Practice Within Competency: Only in areas of training and expertise
2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (روانشناس بالینی)
Regulatory Authority: PCOSpecialisation: Clinical psychology with advanced training
Additional Requirements:
- Master's in Clinical Psychology: Specialised clinical training
- Supervised Practice: Clinical internship and supervision
- Competency Examination: PCO professional competency exam
- Clinical Assessment: Comprehensive psychological evaluations
- Psychodiagnostics: Psychological disorder diagnosis
- Specialised Therapy: Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
- Crisis Intervention: Emergency psychological services
3. COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGIST (روانشناس مشاور)
Regulatory Authority: PCOFocus: Counselling and therapeutic support
Scope of Practice:
- Individual Counselling: Personal and emotional support
- Family Counselling: Family therapy and mediation
- Career Counselling: Vocational guidance and support
- Educational Counselling: Academic and learning support
4. PSYCHIATRIST (روانپزشک)
Regulatory Authority: Iran Medical Council (IRIMC)Medical Speciality: Psychiatry
Education Requirements:
- Medical Degree (MD): 6-7 years general medical education
- Internship: 1-year general medical internship
- Residency: 4 years of psychiatry residency training
- Board Certification: National Board Examination
- Speciality License: IRIMC specialist license
- Medical Diagnosis: Mental health and psychiatric disorders
- Medication Prescription: Psychotropic and psychiatric medications
- Medical Treatment: Comprehensive psychiatric treatment
- Hospitalisation Orders: Authority for involuntary commitment
- ECT and Medical Procedures: Electroconvulsive therapy and medical interventions
- IRIMC Website: https://irimc.org/
- License Verification: Online register search available
5. PSYCHIATRIC NURSE (پرستار روانپزشکی)
Regulatory Authority: Iran Nursing OrganisationSpecialisation: Mental health nursing
Requirements:
- Nursing Degree: Bachelor's in Nursing
- Psychiatric Nursing Specialisation: Additional training in mental health
- Professional License: Nursing practice license
6. SOCIAL WORKER (مددکار اجتماعی)
Regulatory Authority: Social Work OrganisationMental Health Role: Psychosocial support and case management
Verification Procedures for the Public
Verifying Psychologist Credentials:
- Visit PCO Website: https://pcoiran.ir/
- Access Member Directory: Search licensed professionals
- Verify License Number: Check active license status
- Confirm Specialisation: Verify area of practice
- Check Disciplinary Status: Review any sanctions or restrictions
Verifying Psychiatrist Credentials:
- Visit IRIMC Website: https://irimc.org/
- License Verification Section: Search medical practitioner database
- Speciality Confirmation: Verify psychiatry specialisation
- Good Standing Certificate: Request if needed for verification
Red Flags - Warning Signs:
- No Valid License: Cannot provide PCO or IRIMC license number
- Unlicensed Practice: Claims to be a psychologist without a PCO license
- Medication Prescription: Non-medical professionals prescribing medication
- Unverifiable Credentials: Cannot verify education or training
- Ethical Violations: History of professional misconduct
Complaint Procedures
Filing Complaints Against Psychologists:
Authority: Psychology and Counselling Organisation of Iran (PCO)Process:
- Written Complaint: Submit a detailed complaint to PCO
- Investigation: PCO ethics committee investigation
- Hearing Process: Professional conduct a hearing if warranted
- Sanctions: Possible license suspension, revocation, or restrictions
- Appeal Process: Right to appeal disciplinary decisions
Filing Complaints Against Psychiatrists:
Authority: Iran Medical Council (IRIMC)Process:
- Formal Complaint: Submit to IRIMC disciplinary committee
- Medical Review: Professional standards review
- Disciplinary Action: License sanctions if violations found
- Appeal Rights: Legal appeal process available
Current Professional Statistics
Mental Health Workforce in Iran:- Psychiatrists: Approximately 1,300 licensed practitioners
- Psychologists: Approximately 5,000 licensed practitioners
- Psychiatric Beds: 7,500 beds nationwide
- Mental Health Facilities: Distributed across provinces
- Professional Growth: Expanding mental health services and awareness
Protected Titles and Legal Framework
Legally Protected Titles:
- "روانشناس" (Psychologist): Protected by PCO licensing
- "روانپزشک" (Psychiatrist): Protected by IRIMC medical licensing
- "مشاور" (Counsellor): Regulated under PCO framework
Legal Penalties:
- Unauthorised Practice: Criminal penalties for unlicensed practice
- Title Misuse: Legal action for unauthorised use of protected titles
- Professional Misconduct: License sanctions and legal consequences
Sources and Verification
Psychology and Counselling Organisation of Iran (PCO)Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education
This guide provides comprehensive information for public assessment of mental health professionals in Iran. Always verify current license status through official regulatory websites before engaging professional services.
Important: TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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About The Author
TherapyRoute
Cape Town, South Africa
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