Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Italy: 2025 Guide

In Italy, the regulation of mental health professionals is highly structured. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while the titles "Psychologist" and "Psychotherapist" are legally protected and require mandatory registration with a regional Order.

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

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Official Legal Framework

Regulatory Authorities

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

Verification Procedures for the Public

Complaint Procedures

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Current Professional Statistics

Language Requirements

Recommendations for the Public

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

Primary Legislation:

• Act No. 56 of February 18, 1989: Regulation of the profession of psychologist
• Presidential Decree No. 162 of March 10, 1982: Psychotherapy specialisation requirements
• Article 622 of the Penal Code: Professional discipline framework
• Legge 8 novembre 2021, n. 163:Professional training and qualifications recognition for healthcare and psychology professions in Italy

Regulatory Authorities

1. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE ORDER OF PSYCHOLOGISTS (CNOP)

Legal Authority: Act No. 56/1989

Role: National coordination and representation

Functions:

• National professional standards coordination
• Inter-regional professional mobility facilitation
• International relations and recognition
• National advocacy and policy development
• Professional development coordination
• EU directive implementation oversight

2. REGIONAL ORDERS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS

Legal Authority: Act No. 56/1989 and regional statutes

Mandatory Membership: Required for all practising psychologists

Regional Structure:

• Regional Level: Each region has its own Order
• Provincial Level: Trento and Bolzano provinces have provincial orders
• Provincial Branches: Established when regional membership exceeds 1,000

• Professional registration and enrollment
• Professional standards enforcement
• Disciplinary procedures and professional conduct oversight
• Register maintenance and updates
• Professional qualification protection
• Continuing education oversight

3. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Authority: Administrative oversight and legal framework

Functions:

• Professional order supervision
• Register oversight and control
• Legal framework enforcement
• Disciplinary measure coordination

4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Authority: Educational standards and professional examination

Functions:

• State examination regulation and oversight
• Academic qualification recognition
• Foreign degree equivalence assessment
• Educational standards coordination

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: Regional Order (mandatory registration)

License Required: Registration with Regional Order of Psychologists

Education Requirements:

• Laurea Degree:3-year university degree in Psychology (Laurea in Psicologia)
• Master's Degree: 2 years. During the Master's program, students must complete a Practical Evaluative Traineeship (Tirocinio Pratico-Valutativo - TPV) of 30 university credits.
• Final Practical Assessment (Prova Pratica Valutativa - PPV): This practical test is now taken just before graduation, effectively replacing the old, separate State Exam.
• State Examination: Qualifying state examination in psychology (esame di abilitazione professionale)
• Practical Training: Adequate proof of training as determined by Ministry of Education
• Foreign Qualifications: Academic and professional recognition required

Registration Requirements:

• Italian/EU Citizenship: Italian citizen, EU member state citizen, or reciprocal treatment agreement
• Criminal Record: No criminal sentences leading to professional disqualification
• Professional Qualification: Qualified to practice psychology through state examination
• Residency: Resident in Italy or Italian citizen abroad in qualifying employment
• Fees: Registration fee and government license fee

• Cognitive Instruments: Use of cognitive instruments and interventions
• Prevention: Psychological prevention activities
• Diagnosis: Psychological diagnosis and assessment
• Habilitation-Rehabilitation: Psychological rehabilitation services
• Support: Psychological support services
• Research: Experimentation and research activities
• Teaching: Didactic activities in psychology field

2. PSYCHOTHERAPIST (SPECIALISED)

Regulatory Authority: Regional Order plus specialised training

License Required: Psychology registration plus psychotherapy specialisation

Education Requirements:

• Psychology or Medicine Degree: Laurea in Psychology or Medicine and Surgery
• Specialisation Training: Minimum 4-year specialisation courses in psychotherapy
• University Schools: University specialisation schools or recognised institutes
• Adequate Formation: Adequate formation and training in psychotherapy

• Psychotherapy Practice: Full psychotherapeutic intervention authority
• Psychological Assessment: Comprehensive psychological evaluation
• Therapeutic Intervention: Evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatments
• Medical Collaboration: Collaboration with medical professionals
• Information Exchange: Professional information exchange with consent

• Medical Interventions: Purely medical interventions forbidden to non-medical psychotherapists
• Medical Collaboration: Must collaborate with medical doctors when appropriate

3. PSYCHIATRIST (MEDICAL REGULATION)

Regulatory Authority: Medical professional orders

License Required: Medical license plus psychiatric specialisation

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree: Laurea in Medicine and Surgery
• Medical License: Registration with medical professional order
• Psychiatric Specialisation: Specialised psychiatric training
• Board Certification: Psychiatric specialist certification

• Full Medical Authority: Can prescribe medication and perform medical procedures
• Psychiatric Diagnosis: Complex psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
• Medical Interventions: Psychiatric medical treatments
• Hospitalisation: Can admit patients to psychiatric facilities
• Psychotherapy: Can provide psychotherapeutic treatment with appropriate training

4. COUNSELOR (LIMITED REGULATION)

Regulatory Status: Unregulated profession

Requirements: No mandatory professional registration

Practice Considerations:

• No Mandatory Registration: No mandatory professional order membership
• Professional Associations: Optional membership in counselling associations
• Scope Limitations: Cannot use "Psychologist" or "Psychotherapist" titles
• Ethical Standards: Must adhere to professional ethical standards

• Listed Profession: Recently listed as an unregulated profession by national government
• Professional Development: Ongoing discussions about potential regulation
• Training Standards: Variable training and qualification requirements

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying Psychologist Credentials:

• Regional Order Registration: Verify registration with relevant Regional Order of Psychologists
• Professional Certificate: Confirm possession of valid Order registration certificate
• State Examination: Verify successful completion of state examination
• Specialisation Verification: Check psychotherapy specialisation if applicable
• Professional Standing: Confirm good standing with professional order

• National Register: Check national register (Albo Nazionale) at www.psy.it
• Regional Order Websites: Verify registration with regional order
• Professional Certificate: Confirm current registration validity

Verifying International Practitioners:

• Academic Recognition: Confirm recognition of foreign academic qualifications
• Professional Recognition: Verify professional qualification recognition
• Order Registration: Check completion of the Italian registration process
• Language Proficiency: Verify Italian language competency
• Professional Authorisation: Confirm professional practice authorisation

Complaint Procedures

For Order-Registered Psychologists:

Process:

• Written Complaint: Submit a detailed complaint to relevant Regional Order
• Investigation: Professional conduct investigation by disciplinary committee
• Disciplinary Measures: Possible sanctions including:
• Professional warnings
• Continuing education requirements
• Practice restrictions
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent removal from register
• Appeal Process: Right to appeal disciplinary decisions
• Criminal Penalties: Serious violations subject to Article 622 of Penal Code

For Unlicensed Practice:

Enforcement: Regional Order enforcement and legal action

Penalties: Legal action for unauthorised practice and title misuse

Professional Standards Violations:

• Professional Complaint: Submit a complaint regarding professional practice violations
• Standards Investigation: Investigation of professional practice standards
• Corrective Measures: Possible requirements for additional training or supervision
• Professional Development: Mandatory continuing education or professional development

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Legally Protected Titles:

• "Psicologo/a": Strictly protected, requires Regional Order registration
• "Psicoterapeuta": Protected, requires psychology registration plus specialisation
• "Dottore/Dottoressa in Psicologia": Academic title protection

Legal Requirements:

• Title Protection: Act No. 56/1989 protects psychology titles
• Registration Requirement: Cannot use title without Order registration
• Professional Practice: Defined psychological practice requires registration
• State Examination: Mandatory state examination for professional practice

Legal Penalties:

• Unauthorised Practice: Legal action for practising without registration
• Title Misuse: Criminal penalties for unauthorised use of protected titles (Law 262/1858)
• Professional Sanctions: Order disciplinary actions for violations
• Penal Code: Article 622 disciplinary framework

Current Professional Statistics

• Active Order Members: Tens of thousands of registered psychologists across Italy
• Regional Distribution: Varies by region with the largest concentrations in major cities
• Professional Areas: Diverse areas of psychological practice

• Regional Orders: 20 regional orders plus 2 provincial orders (Trento, Bolzano)
• Council Composition: 7 members (≤200 members) or 15 members (>200 members)
• Term Length: 3-year terms with maximum two consecutive terms

• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development requirements
• Training Programs: Various Order-associated training programs
• Professional Standards: Maintained through Order oversight

Language Requirements

For International Applicants:

• Italian Proficiency: Required for professional practice
• Professional Communication: Essential for patient care and professional duties
• Documentation: All professional documentation in Italian
• Legal Compliance: Italian language required for legal and regulatory compliance

Professional Practice:

• Patient Care*: Italian language essential for effective patient communication
• Professional Collaboration: Required for healthcare and professional collaboration
• Regulatory Communication: Necessary for Order and regulatory communications
• Cultural Competency: Understanding of Italian culture and healthcare system

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Psychological Services:

• Verify Order Registration: Check psychologist's registration with relevant Regional Order
• Professional Certificate: Confirm possession of valid Order registration certificate
• Specialisation Check: Verify psychotherapy specialisation if seeking psychotherapy
• Professional Standing: Check good standing with professional order
• Language Proficiency: Ensure adequate Italian language skills

For International Practitioners:

• Recognition Process: Begin academic and professional recognition process early
• Order Registration: Understand Regional Order registration requirements
• Language Preparation: Develop Italian language proficiency
• Professional Integration: Connect with Italian psychology professional community
• Legal Requirements: Understand work authorisation and professional requirements

Red Flags to Avoid:

• No Order Registration: Practitioners without Order registration
• Unauthorised Titles: Use of protected titles without proper registration
• Unverified Training: Cannot document recognised qualifications
• No Professional Certificate: Cannot provide a valid Order certificate
• Unlicensed Practice: Practising without proper regulatory compliance

Sources and Verification

National Council of the Order of Psychologists (CNOP)

Key New Legislation (Educational Reform): Legge 8 novembre 2021, n. 163

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION