Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Russia: 2025 Guide
TherapyRoute
Clinical Editorial
Cape Town, South Africa
❝In Russia, state-licensed psychiatrists and unregulated psychologists operate under entirely different rules, and knowing how to check their qualifications is the first step toward finding safe mental health care.❞
If you are looking for a qualified mental health professional in Russia, you will find that psychiatrists follow strict medical licensing rules, while psychologists usually work under voluntary standards set by the Russian Psychological Society and universities.
This guide shows you how to check professional credentials and avoid unregulated or unqualified providers.
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Find Your TherapistTable of Contents | Jump Ahead
Professional Categories and Scope of Practice
Verification Procedures for the Public
Protected Titles and Legal Framework
Current Professional Statistics
Recommendations for the Public
Official Legal Framework
Current Status: Russia has a complex regulatory framework for mental health professionals, with comprehensive medical regulation for psychiatrists but limited formal licensing for psychology professionals. The system operates primarily through professional associations, educational institutions, and voluntary certification rather than mandatory state licensing for psychologists.Primary Legislation:
- Law on Mental Healthcare and Guarantees of Citizens' Rights (1993): Primary mental health legislation
- Federal Law on Fundamentals of Healthcare: Healthcare professional regulation framework
- Educational Standards: Federal educational standards for psychology training
- Professional Association Standards: Russian Psychological Society (RPS) professional standards
Regulatory Authorities
1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Role: Medical professional regulation and mental health service oversightAuthority: Government authority for healthcare professional licensing and mental health services
Functions:
- Medical professional licensing (including psychiatrists)
- Mental health facility licensing and oversight
- Healthcare professional standards enforcement
- Mental Health Act implementation
- Medical education and training oversight
2. RUSSIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (RPS)
Role: Professional psychology association and standards-settingAuthority: Professional association with voluntary certification functions
Functions:
- Professional standards development for psychologists
- Voluntary professional certification and attestation
- Educational standards coordination
- Professional ethics and conduct oversight
- International cooperation and professional development
- Multi-level attestation procedure (computerised testing, oral examinations, case solutions)
- Voluntary certification system
- Professional competency assessment
- Continuing education coordination
3. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Role: Educational standards and university oversightAuthority: Government authority for educational standards and university accreditation
Functions:
- Psychology education standards development
- University psychology program accreditation
- Educational quality assurance
- Professional training program oversight
- International educational cooperation
4. EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF PSYCHOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATIONS (EFPA) - NATIONAL AWARDING COMMITTEE
Role: EuroPsy certification coordination in RussiaAuthority: International professional certification coordination
Functions:
- EuroPsy certificate implementation in Russia
- Academic and practical training standards coordination
- International professional mobility facilitation
- Professional competency assessment
- Supervised practice system development
Professional Categories and Scope of Practice
1. PSYCHIATRIST (MEDICALLY REGULATED)
Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health, medical licensingLicense Required: Medical license plus psychiatric specialisation
Scope: Full psychiatric medical practice
Education Requirements:
- Medical Degree: Complete medical education
- Medical License: Registration with medical authorities
- Psychiatric Specialisation: Specialised psychiatric training
- Continuing Education: Ongoing medical professional development
- Full Medical Authority: Can prescribe medication and perform medical procedures
- Psychiatric Diagnosis: Complex psychiatric assessment and diagnosis (ICD-10 F00-F99)
- Medical Interventions: Psychiatric medical treatments
- Involuntary Hospitalisation: Authority to initiate involuntary psychiatric treatment
- Psychotherapy: Can provide psychotherapeutic treatment
2. PSYCHOLOGIST (PROFESSIONALLY REGULATED)
Regulatory Authority: Russian Psychological Society (RPS) and educational institutionsLicense Required: No mandatory state licensing; voluntary RPS certification available
Scope: Psychology practice within professional standards
Education Requirements:
- University Degree: Psychology degree from an accredited Russian university
- Professional Training: Supervised practical training
- RPS Membership: Optional professional society membership
- Voluntary Certification: Optional RPS certification and attestation
- No Mandatory Licensing: No state licensing requirement for psychologists
- Voluntary Certification: RPS voluntary certification system is available
- Professional Standards: RPS professional standards and ethics
- Quality Concerns: Unregulated practice creates quality assurance challenges
- Psychological Assessment: General psychological evaluation and testing
- Counselling Services: Individual and group counselling
- Educational Psychology: Educational assessment and intervention
- Organisational Psychology: Workplace psychology services
- Research: Psychology research and development
3. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (PROFESSIONALLY REGULATED)
Regulatory Authority: Professional standards and institutional oversightLicense Required: No mandatory licensing; professional certification available
Scope: Clinical psychology practice within institutional settings
Education Requirements:
- Master's Degree: Clinical psychology or equivalent
- Clinical Training: Supervised clinical training
- Professional Certification: Institutional or professional certification
- Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development
- Clinical Assessment: Psychological evaluation and testing
- Psychotherapy: Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
- Treatment Planning: Comprehensive treatment planning
- Professional Consultation: Clinical consultation services
- Research: Clinical psychology research and development
4. OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Categories: Various allied mental health professionsRegulation: Professional standards and institutional oversight
Professional Categories:
- Social Workers: Professional training and institutional oversight
- Mental Health Nurses: Medical professional standards
- Counsellors: Professional training and certification
- Psychiatric Technicians: Institutional training and oversight
Verification Procedures for the Public
Verifying RPS-Certified Psychologists:
- RPS Membership Verification: Check Russian Psychological Society membership
- Professional Certification: Verify RPS certification and attestation
- Educational Qualifications: Confirm university psychology degree
- Professional Standing: Check good standing with RPS
- Institutional Affiliation: Verify institutional employment or affiliation
- RPS Website: www.psyrus.ru
- Regional Branches: 62 regional RPS branches
- Professional Directory: RPS member listings
- EuroPsy Register (for certified specialists): europsy.efpa.eu/search-psychologists
Verifying Medical Psychologists/Psychiatrists:
- Medical License Verification: Check medical licensing authority registration
- Psychiatric Specialisation: Verify psychiatric specialisation credentials
- Institutional Affiliation: Confirm employment at medical facility
- Professional Standing: Check good standing with medical authorities
- Continuing Education: Verify ongoing medical education compliance
Complaint Procedures
For RPS-Affiliated Psychologists:
Authority: Russian Psychological Society professional oversightProcess:
- RPS Complaints: Submit complaint through RPS official channels
- Professional Standards: Report violations of RPS professional ethics
- Regional Branch Review: Regional RPS branch investigation
- Professional Sanctions: RPS disciplinary actions
- Legal Action: Pursue legal remedies for professional misconduct
For Medical Professionals (Psychiatrists):
Authority: Ministry of Health medical licensing oversightProcess:
- Medical Authority Complaints: Submit complaint through medical licensing authority
- Professional Standards: Report violations of medical professional standards
- Medical Facility Review: Institutional investigation and review
- Medical Sanctions: Medical licensing disciplinary actions
- Legal Remedies: Pursue legal action for medical malpractice
For Unlicensed Practice:
Legal Framework: Professional standards and consumer protection lawsEnforcement: Professional association enforcement and legal action
Consumer Protection: Russian consumer protection laws apply
Protected Titles and Legal Framework
Professional Titles:
- "Psychiatrist": Protected by medical licensing requirements
- "Psychologist": Not legally protected; professional standards apply
- "Clinical Psychologist": Professional standards and institutional oversight
Legal Requirements:
- Medical License: Required for psychiatric medical practice
- Professional Standards: RPS professional standards for psychologists
- Educational Qualifications: University degree requirements
- Institutional Oversight: Institutional professional standards
Current Professional Statistics
Professional Organisations:- RPS Members: Over 5,000 members across 62 regional branches
- Medical Professionals: Licensed psychiatrists and medical psychologists
- Academic Institutions: Over 300 universities offering psychology degrees
- Professional Practice: Institutional and private practice settings
- Institutional Practice: Majority practice in hospitals, clinics, and universities
- Private Practice: Growing private practice sector (unregulated)
- Government Services: Limited government mental health positions
- Educational Services: Psychology services in educational institutions
- EuroPsy Implementation: European psychology certification coordination
- Professional Standards: RPS professional standards development
- International Cooperation: Growing international professional connections
- Quality Initiatives: Efforts to improve professional quality standards
Language Requirements
For Professional Practice:
- Russian: Primary language for professional practice
- Patient Communication: Russian language proficiency essential
- Professional Documentation: Documentation in Russian
- Cultural Competency: Understanding of Russian culture and social context
Professional Communication:
- Academic Language: English proficiency for academic and research activities
- Professional Development: English proficiency for international professional development
- Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural competency requirements for diverse populations
- International Services: Language proficiency for international professional activities
Recommendations for the Public
When Seeking Psychology Services:
- Verify Educational Qualifications: Check university psychology degree
- Check Professional Association Membership: Verify RPS membership if applicable
- Confirm Institutional Affiliation: Ensure institutional employment or affiliation
- Professional References: Obtain professional references and recommendations
- Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional standards
When Seeking Mental Health Services:
- Medical vs. Non-Medical: Distinguish between medical (psychiatric) and non-medical services
- Professional Qualifications: Verify appropriate professional qualifications
- Institutional Setting: Prefer services in established institutional settings
- Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional standards
- Cultural Competency: Ensure cultural and linguistic competency
For International Practitioners:
- Professional Association Membership: Join Russian Psychological Society
- Qualification Recognition: Seek recognition of international qualifications
- Cultural Preparation: Develop Russian cultural competency
- Language Proficiency: Develop Russian language proficiency
- Professional Integration: Connect with Russian professional community
Red Flags to Avoid:
- No Professional Credentials: Cannot provide educational or professional credentials
- Unverified Qualifications: Cannot demonstrate appropriate educational qualifications
- No Institutional Affiliation: Lacks verifiable institutional affiliation
- Medical Claims Without License: Claiming medical authority without medical license
- Ethical Concerns: Reports of professional misconduct or ethical violations
Sources and Verification
Russian Psychological Society (RPS)
Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
State Duma Automated System for Legislative Process (Bill No. 493223-8)
European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA)
This guide reflects Russia's complex regulatory framework, where comprehensive medical regulation exists for psychiatrists but psychology professionals operate primarily through professional associations and voluntary certification. The absence of mandatory state licensing for psychologists creates quality assurance challenges while professional organisations like RPS work to maintain standards and advocate for formal regulatory development. Verify current requirements with relevant professional associations for the most up-to-date information.
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
“Our in-house team, including world-class mental health professionals, publishes high-quality articles to raise awareness, guide your therapeutic journey, and help you find the right therapy and therapists. All articles are reviewed and written by or under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals.”
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