Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Pakistan: 2025 Guide

In Pakistan, the regulation of mental health professionals creates a critical divide between medically licensed practitioners and a largely unregulated field. Psychiatrists are strictly licensed by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC), while psychologists and counsellors currently have no mandatory licensing or government-enforced standards.

This guide explains the legal requirements for the regulated profession, how to verify credentials in the absence of a licensing board, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Official Legal Framework

Regulatory Authorities

Professional Categories and Current Status

Verification Procedures for the Public

Complaint Procedures (Limited Options)

Proposed Regulatory Framework

Current Professional Statistics

Future Directions

Recommendations for the Public

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

Primary Legislation:

• Mental Health Ordinance (MHO) 2001: Federal mental health legislation (replaced colonial-era Lunacy Act 1912)
• Provincial Mental Health Acts: Sindh (2013), Punjab (2014), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2014), Baluchistan (2019)
• Allied Healthcare Professionals Bill 2022: Passed to create councils for mental health professional regulation (not yet functional as of 2023)
• Pakistan Psychological Council Act 2013: Proposed legislation (passed by the National Assembly, implementation pending)
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2020: Provides legal protection for individuals with mental health conditions

Regulatory Authorities

1. PAKISTAN MEDICAL & DENTAL COUNCIL (PMDC)

Legal Authority: Medical and Dental Council Act

Replaced: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in 2019

Functions:

• Licenses medical doctors, including psychiatrists
• Maintains medical practitioner register
• Enforces medical education standards
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) oversight
• Medical ethics and professional standards

• Address: Islamabad, Pakistan
• Process: Paper application required for licensing
• Services: Medical license verification, registration

2. ALLIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL (PROPOSED)

Intended Functions:

• Regulate psychologists, mental health counsellors,and community mental health workers
• Issue professional licenses and maintain registers
• Establish professional standards and ethics
• Investigate complaints and disciplinary actions

3. PROVINCIAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES

Punjab Mental Health Authority: Established following a provincial act

KP Mental Health Authority: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial authority

Baluchistan Mental Health Authority: Provincial oversight body

Functions:

• Oversee the implementation of provincial mental health acts
• Advise provincial governments on mental health policy
• Create standards for care and treatment
• Recommend improvements for mental health services

Professional Categories and Current Status

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (CURRENTLY UNREGULATED)

Professional Organisations: Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA), Pakistan Psychological Society (PPS) Current Situation:

• No Licensing Authority: No government body currently licenses psychologists
• No Protected Title: "Psychologist" title not legally protected
• No Standardised Requirements: No official education or training standards
• Professional Risk: Unqualified practitioners can operate without oversight

• Bachelor's Degree: Psychology (4 years)
• Master's Degree: Psychology specialisation (2 years)
• Doctoral Degree: PhD/PsyD in psychology (optional, for academic/research positions)

• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Organizational Psychology
• Research Psychology

• Established: March 1968
• Website: https://pkppa.com/
• Contact: +92 343 1888444, ppa.pk68@gmail.com
• Role: Academic and professional organisation (not regulatory)
• Membership: Several hundred qualified Pakistani psychologists
• Functions: Professional development, conferences, advocacy

• Website: http://pkps.org/
• Role: Professional development and advancement of psychology
• Functions: Education, research promotion, professional networking

2. MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (CURRENTLY UNREGULATED)

Current Practice: Operates without formal regulation or oversight

Typical Background:

• Psychology degree
• Counselling training programs
• NGO or private practice experience

3. PSYCHIATRIST (REGULATED)

License Required: Medical license with psychiatry specialisation

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree (MBBS): 5 years medical education
• Medical Internship: 1 year general medical training
• Psychiatry Residency: 4 years specialised psychiatric training
• Medical License: PMC registration and licensing
• Speciality Recognition: Psychiatry board certification

• Medical Diagnosis: Mental health and psychiatric disorders
• Medication Prescription: Psychotropic and psychiatric medications
• Medical Treatment: Comprehensive psychiatric medical care
• Hospitalisation Authority: Medical commitment and treatment orders
• Medical Procedures: Psychiatric medical interventions

• PMC Registration: Medical license verification through PMC
• Speciality Confirmation: Psychiatry specialisation verification

4. PSYCHIATRIC NURSE (PARTIALLY REGULATED)

Specialisation: Mental health nursing

Requirements:

• Nursing Degree: Bachelor's in Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing Training: Specialised mental health training
• Nursing License: Provincial nursing council registration

5. SOCIAL WORKER (PARTIALLY REGULATED)

Mental Health Role: Psychosocial support and case management

Verification Procedures for the Public

Current Reality - Limited Verification Options:

• PMDC Verification: Check medical license through PMDC
• Hospital Affiliation: Verify employment at recognised medical institutions
• Medical College Verification: Confirm medical education credentials

• Educational Background: Verify degree from recognised universities
• Professional Association Membership: Check PPA or PPS membership (voluntary)
• Institutional Affiliation: Verify employment at recognised institutions
• References: Seek recommendations from medical professionals or institutions

Red Flags - Warning Signs:

• No Verifiable Education: Cannot provide proof of a psychology degree
• Unrealistic Claims: Promises of quick cures or guaranteed results
• Medication Prescription: Non-medical professionals claiming to prescribe medication
• No Professional Affiliation: No connection to recognised institutions or organisations
• Lack of Transparency: Unwilling to discuss qualifications or training

Complaint Procedures (Limited Options)

Current Situation:

Available Options:

• Professional Organisations: Complaints to PPA or PPS (limited enforcement power)
• Institutional Complaints: Complaints to employing hospitals, clinics, or universities
• Consumer Protection: General consumer protection authorities
• Legal Action: Civil or criminal proceedings for malpractice or fraud
• Medical Board: For psychiatrists, complaints to the Pakistan Medical Commission

Recommended Actions:

• Document Issues: Keep detailed records of problematic interactions
• Seek Second Opinion: Consult other qualified professionals
• Report to Institution: Notify employing organisation
• Legal Consultation: Seek legal advice for serious misconduct

Proposed Regulatory Framework

Pakistan Psychological Council Act 2013 (Pending Implementation):

• Pakistan Psychological Council: National regulatory authority
• Board of Governors: Governing body for the council
• Registration Requirements: Formal licensing and registration system
• Professional Standards: Ethical and practice standards
• Disciplinary Procedures: Complaint investigation and sanctions

• Registered Psychologist: Master's degree with 16 years education and 2 years experience
• Licensed Psychologist: Advanced qualifications and supervised practice
• Specialised Psychologists: Additional training in specific areas

Allied Healthcare Professionals Council (2022):

• Centralised Regulation: Single authority for allied health professionals
• Licensing System: Formal licensing and registration
• Quality Assurance: Professional standards and oversight
• Public Protection: Complaint procedures and disciplinary actions

Current Professional Statistics

• Psychiatrists: Approximately 400-500 licensed practitioners (severe shortage)
• Psychologists: Several thousand practitioners (unregulated, exact numbers unknown)
• Mental Health Burden: 10-16% of the population experiencing depression/anxiety symptoms
• Service Gap: Massive shortage of qualified mental health professionals
• Rural Access: Extremely limited mental health services in rural areas

Future Directions

Legislative Priorities:

• Implementation of Psychological Council: Activate Pakistan Psychological Council Act 2013
• Functional Allied Health Council: Make 2022 legislation operational
• Standardised Education: Establish minimum education and training requirements
• Professional Licensing: Create comprehensive licensing system
• Public Protection: Implement complaint and disciplinary procedures

System Development:

• Workforce Expansion: Increase number of qualified mental health professionals
• Rural Access: Expand mental health services to underserved areas
• Integration: Better integration of mental health into primary healthcare
• Stigma Reduction: Public awareness and education campaigns

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Verify Education: Confirm psychology degree from recognised university
• Check Affiliations: Look for institutional connections or professional memberships
• Seek Referrals: Get recommendations from medical professionals
• Ask Questions: Inquire about qualifications, training, and experience
• Trust Instincts: Be cautious of unrealistic promises or unprofessional behaviour

For Medical Needs:

• Psychiatrists Only: Only see PMC-licensed psychiatrists for medication
• Medical Verification: Always verify medical license through PMC
• Hospital Settings: Prefer services in recognised medical institutions

Sources and Verification

Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC)

Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA)

Pakistan Psychological Society