Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Lebanon: 2025 Guide

In Lebanon, the regulation of mental health professionals varies by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed through the Order of Physicians, while psychologists and psychotherapists are now legally required to be licensed by the Lebanese Order of Psychologists (LOPsy).

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

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Legal Framework

Regulatory Structure

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

Education Requirements

Verification Procedures for Public

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Disciplinary Framework

Protected Titles and Legal Status

Other Mental Health Professionals

Sources and Verification

Legal Framework

• Date Enacted: October 2, 2017
• Authority: Lebanese Parliament and President
• Scope: Clinical and Educational Psychology practice regulation
• Implementation: Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) oversight

• Decree 8377 (1961): Regulation of the Ministry of Public Health
• Circular 113 (2017): Mandatory licensing for psychology practice
• Decision 1/1320 (2017): Documentation requirements for licensing
• National Gazette Issue 33 (2017): Official publication of licensing requirements

• Ministry of Public Health (MoPH): Primary regulatory oversight
• Lebanese Order of Psychologists (LOPsy): Professional licensing body
• Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA): Professional development (non-licensing)

Regulatory Structure

Primary Regulatory Authority

Lebanese Order of Psychologists (LOPsy) / نقابة الاخصائيين النفسيين في لبنان

• Website: https://www.lopsy.org/
• Function: Statutory licensing and regulation of psychologists
• Authority: Law 8/2017 implementation
• Scope: Clinical and Educational Psychology

• Issue licenses to practice psychology
• Maintain statutory register of licensed psychologists
• Set professional standards and competency requirements
• Handle disciplinary matters and professional misconduct
• Provide public verification of licensed practitioners
• Oversee continuing professional development

Government Oversight Authority

• Website: https://www.moph.gov.lb/
• Function: Regulatory oversight and policy implementation
• Authority: Law 8/2017 and Decree 8377 (1961)
• Scope: Mental health services regulation

• Supervise implementation of psychology licensing law
• Ensure compliance with licensing requirements
• Coordinate with LOPsy on regulatory matters
• Develop mental health policy and strategy
• Monitor quality of mental health services

Professional Development Organisation

• Website: https://lpa.org.lb/
• Email: info@lpa.org.lb
• Phone: +961 70 982 176
• Established: 2004
• Function: Professional development and advocacy (NOT licensing)

LPA Functions:

• Professional development and continuing education
• Research and scientific advancement
• Professional networking and collaboration
• Advocacy for psychology profession
• International relations and partnerships

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Legal Status: Statutory licensing required under Law 8/2017

Scope of Practice:

• Psychological Assessment: Clinical assessment, diagnostic testing, personality assessment
• Psychotherapy: Individual, group, family, and couples therapy
• Crisis Intervention: Emergency psychological support and intervention
• Consultation: Clinical consultation to healthcare teams and organisations
• Research: Clinical psychology research and evidence-based practice

• Hospitals and medical centres
• Mental health clinics
• Private practice
• Rehabilitation centers
• Community mental health centres

• Cannot prescribe medication (exclusive right of physicians)
• Cannot provide medical diagnosis (psychological assessment only)
• Must practice within area of competency and training
• Must display license visibly in workplace
• Must maintain professional indemnity insurance

2. LICENSED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Legal Status: Statutory licensing required under Law 8/2017

Scope of Practice:

• Educational Assessment: Learning difficulties assessment, intellectual assessment, and academic evaluation
• Intervention Services: Learning support, behavioural intervention, special education planning
• Consultation: School consultation, teacher training, parent guidance
• Program Development: Educational program design and evaluation
• Research: Educational psychology research

• Schools and educational institutions
• Special education centres
• Educational consultancy
• Ministry of Education
• Private educational assessment

• Cannot prescribe medication
• Cannot provide clinical therapy (unless also licensed as a clinical psychologist)
• Must practice within educational psychology competency
• Must display license visibly in workplace

3. PSYCHOTHERAPIST (Non-Psychology Background)

Legal Status: Licensing available for qualified non-psychology professionals

Scope of Practice:

• Psychotherapy: Individual, group, family therapy within training competency
• Counselling: Personal counselling and support
• Crisis Support: Basic crisis intervention
• Consultation: Limited consultation within the scope of training

• Social work, counselling, or related mental health field
• Specialised psychotherapy training
• Supervised practice experience
• Professional competency demonstration

• Cannot conduct a psychological assessment (unless psychology background)
• Cannot prescribe medication
• Must practice within a specific training competency
• Limited scope compared to licensed psychologists

4. PSYCHIATRIST

Legal Status: Medical licensing under medical practice law

Scope of Practice:

• Medical Diagnosis: Mental disorder diagnosis and classification
• Medication Management: Prescription and monitoring of psychiatric medications
• Medical Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy with medical oversight
• Involuntary Treatment: Authority for involuntary psychiatric treatment
• Medical Certification: Mental health assessments for legal purposes

• Medical Degree (MD)
• Psychiatric Residency training
• Medical License from Lebanese Order of Physicians
• Specialization Certificate in psychiatry

Education Requirements

Clinical Psychology Licensing

• Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from accredited university
• Supervised Clinical Practice: Minimum requirements as specified by LOPsy
• Professional Competency Examination: LOPsy licensing examination
• Continuing Professional Development: Annual CPD requirements

• American University of Beirut (AUB)
• Lebanese American University (LAU)
• Université Saint-Joseph (USJ)
• Notre-Dame University (NDU)
• Lebanese University (UL)
• Haigazian University (HU)

• Must be from accredited university outside Lebanon
• Equivalency assessment by Lebanese authorities
• Additional requirements may apply for foreign graduates
• Professional competency demonstration required

Educational Psychology Licensing

• Master's Degree in Educational Psychology or related field
• Educational Practice Experience: Supervised practice in educational settings
• Professional Examination: LOPsy licensing examination
• Continuing Education: Annual CPD requirements

• Educational Psychology Theory: Learning theories, developmental psychology
• Assessment and Testing: Educational assessment, psychometric principles
• Intervention Methods: Learning support, behavioural intervention
• Research Methods: Educational research and evaluation
• Professional Ethics: Ethical principles in educational psychology

Psychotherapy Licensing (Non-Psychology)

• Bachelor's Degree in social work, counselling, or related field
• Specialised Psychotherapy Training: Accredited psychotherapy program
• Supervised Practice: Clinical supervision in psychotherapy
• Professional Examination: LOPsy competency assessment
• Continuing Education: Annual training requirements

Verification Procedures for Public

LOPsy Register Search

• Online Verification: Visit https://www.lopsy.org/
• Search Function: Use "Find a psychologist" search tool
• Search Criteria: Name, subspecialty, or location
• Verification Information: License status, specialisation, contact details

• Full name and license number
• Professional category (Clinical/Educational/Psychotherapist)
• Subspecialty areas
• Practice location and contact information
• License status and validity
• Any restrictions or conditions

Direct Verification

• LOPsy Contact: Direct inquiry to Lebanese Order of Psychologists
• License Number Verification: Confirm specific license number
• Status Check: Current license status and validity
• Restriction Check: Any practice limitations or conditions

Red Flag Verification

• Unlicensed Practice: Report to LOPsy if practitioner not found in register
• Scope Violations: Report practice outside licensed scope
• Title Misuse: Report unauthorised use of protected titles
• Complaint Process: Formal complaint procedures through LOPsy

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

LOPsy CPD Requirements

CPD Categories:

• Formal Training: Workshops, conferences, courses
• Professional Activities: Supervision, peer consultation, committee work
• Self-Directed Learning: Reading, online learning, research
• Community Service: Pro bono work, public education

• Maintain CPD portfolio
• Submit annual CPD report to LOPsy
• Provide certificates and evidence
• Participate in LOPsy-approved activities

• Lebanese Order of Psychologists
• Lebanese Psychological Association
• Universities and academic institutions
• International psychology organisations
• Accredited training institutes

Professional Development Opportunities

• Annual conferences and symposiums
• Professional workshops and training
• Research presentations and publications
• International collaboration programs
• Networking and professional development

• Regional psychology associations
• International psychology organisations
• Professional exchange programs
• Continuing education opportunities

Disciplinary Framework

LOPsy Disciplinary Authority

• Investigate complaints against licensed practitioners
• Determine professional misconduct
• Impose sanctions according to professional standards
• Maintain public protection and professional integrity

• Breach of professional ethics
• Incompetent or negligent practice
• Criminal conviction affecting practice
• Breach of licensing conditions
• Unauthorised practice outside the scope
• Failure to maintain professional standards

• Warning: Formal written warning
• Conditions: Additional training or supervision requirements
• Suspension: Temporary suspension of license
• Revocation: Permanent removal of license
• Fine: Financial penalties
• Public Censure: Public notification of misconduct

Complaint Process

• Submit formal complaint to LOPsy
• Provide detailed information and evidence
• Include relevant documentation
• Specify nature of the alleged misconduct

• LOPsy investigates complaint
• Gather evidence and witness statements
• Review professional records and documentation
• Assess compliance with professional standards

• Formal hearing before disciplinary committee
• Practitioner right to representation
• Evidence presentation and examination
• Committee deliberation and decision

• Disciplinary decision and sanctions
• Appeal process and procedures
• Implementation of sanctions
• Public notification if required

Protected Titles and Legal Status

Legally Protected Titles (Law 8/2017)

• "Clinical Psychologist" / "أخصائي نفسي سريري" - Requires LOPsy license
• "Educational Psychologist" / "أخصائي نفسي تربوي" - Requires LOPsy license
• "Psychotherapist" / "معالج نفسي" - Requires LOPsy license
• "Licensed Psychologist" / "أخصائي نفسي مرخص" - General protected title

• Criminal penalties for unauthorised use of protected titles
• Prosecution under Law 8/2017
• Professional sanctions through LOPsy
• Public protection through legal enforcement

• Legal prosecution under Lebanese law
• Financial penalties and fines
• Prohibition from future licensing
• Public notification of violations

Other Mental Health Professionals

Social Workers

• Regulatory Status: Professional association regulation
• Professional Body: Lebanese Association of Social Workers
• Scope: Psychosocial support, case management, community development
• Training: Social work degree and professional training

Psychiatric Nurses

• Regulatory Authority: Lebanese Order of Nurses
• Requirements: Nursing degree + psychiatric nursing specialisation
• Scope: Psychiatric nursing care, medication administration, patient support
• Website: Contact Lebanese Order of Nurses

Counsellors (Non-Licensed)

• Regulatory Status: Unregulated practice
• Training: Various certificate and diploma programs
• Scope: Basic counselling and support services
• Caution: Not licensed under Law 8/2017

Marriage and Family Therapists

• Regulatory Status: May be licensed under psychotherapy category
• Requirements: Specialised training in marriage and family therapy
• Scope: Couples and family therapy
• Licensing: Through LOPsy psychotherapy licensing

Sources and Verification

Lebanese Order of Psychologists (LOPsy)

Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA)

Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

Licensing of psychologists in Lebanon - Ministry of Public Health

Ministry of Public Health Circular No. 112

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