Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in South Korea: 2025 Guide

In South Korea, the regulation of mental health professionals is a complex mix. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, and certain counsellors hold national certifications from the government. However, the title 'psychologist' is not state-licensed and relies primarily on professional association standards.

This guide explains the requirements for each of these distinct professions, how to verify a provider's official credentials, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care in this mixed system.

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:

• Mental Health Welfare Act: Framework for mental health services and professional oversight
• Social Welfare Services Act: General framework for social welfare professionals, including counsellors
• Higher Education Act: Framework for university education and professional qualifications
• Medical Service Act: Regulation of medical professionals, including psychiatrists

Legal Authority: Ministry of Health and Welfare for mental health services and counsellor certification; Korean Psychological Association for psychology professional standards

Official Government URLs:

• Ministry of Health and Welfare: https://www.mohw.go.kr/eng/
• Korean Government Portal: https://www.korea.go.kr/
• Korean Psychological Association: https://www.koreanpsychology.or.kr/main/main.html
• Korea Law Information Centre: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/

Regulatory Authorities

1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE (보건복지부 - MOHW)

Authority: Government ministry with oversight of health and welfare services

Functions:

• Mental Health Services: Oversight of mental health services and policy
• Counsellor Certification: National counsellor certification and licensing
• Professional Standards: Setting standards for mental health professionals
• Healthcare Integration: Integration of mental health services with healthcare system
• Public Mental Health: Public mental health policy and programs
• Professional Development: Professional development requirements for certified counsellors

• Certification Authority: Authority to issue national counsellor certifications
• Standards Setting: Setting professional standards for mental health services
• Healthcare Oversight: Oversight of mental health services within healthcare system
• Policy Development: Development of mental health policy and regulations
• Professional Regulation: Regulation of certified mental health professionals

• Website: https://www.mohw.go.kr/eng/
• Address: 13 Doum 4-ro, Sejong-si 30113, Republic of Korea
• Phone: +82-44-202-2114

• National Counsellor Certification: National certification for professional counsellors
• Mental Health Policy: National mental health policy development and implementation
• Healthcare Integration: Integration of mental health services with healthcare system
• Professional Standards: Standards for mental health professional practice
• Public Mental Health: Public mental health programs and services

2. KOREAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (한국심리학회 - KPA)

Authority: Professional association with standards and certification authority

Functions:

• Professional Standards: Setting and maintaining professional psychology standards
• Professional Certification: Professional certification for specialised psychology areas
• Professional Development: Professional development and continuing education
• Ethics Oversight: Professional ethics standards and oversight
• Research Promotion: Psychology research promotion and support
• International Relations: International professional cooperation and standards alignment

Membership: Professional psychologists and psychology students

Contact Information:

• Website: https://www.koreanpsychology.or.kr/main/main.html
• Address: 635-4 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Phone: +82-2-537-6171
• Email: kpa1946@koreanpsychology.or.kr

• Professional Certification: Specialised certification in clinical, counselling, and other psychology areas
• Professional Standards: Comprehensive professional standards and ethics code
• Continuing Education: Professional development and continuing education programs
• Research Support: Psychology research promotion and support
• International Standards: Alignment with international psychology professional standards

• Clinical Psychology: Professional certification in clinical psychology
• Counselling Psychology: Professional certification in counselling psychology
• School Psychology: Professional certification in school psychology
• Industrial Psychology: Professional certification in industrial and organisational psychology
• Specialised Areas: Certification in specialised psychology practice areas

3. KOREAN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATION (한국임상심리학회)

Authority: Professional association with clinical psychology standards

Functions:

• Clinical Standards: Setting standards for clinical psychology practice
• Professional Certification: Clinical psychology professional certification
• Clinical Training: Clinical psychology training and supervision standards
• Professional Development: Clinical psychology continuing education and development
• Research Promotion: Clinical psychology research and evidence-based practice
• Professional Advocacy: Advocacy for clinical psychology profession

• Website: Available through Korean Psychological Association
• Professional Integration: Integrated with KPA professional standards and certification

• Clinical Certification: Professional certification for clinical psychology practice
• Training Standards: Standards for clinical psychology training and supervision
• Professional Development: Clinical psychology continuing education and professional development
• Research Support: Clinical psychology research and evidence-based practice promotion

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (심리학자)

Registration Required: KPA membership recommended but not mandatory

Scope: General psychology practice with professional association standards

Education Requirements:

• University Degree: Bachelor's degree in psychology from a recognised university (minimum 4 years)
• Academic Standards: Completion of a comprehensive psychology curriculum
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Korean language
• Professional Training: Practical training and supervised experience recommended
• Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education recommended

• Psychological Assessment: General psychological assessment and evaluation
• Psychological Consultation: Professional consultation and advisory services
• Research: Psychology research and evidence-based practice
• Educational Services: Educational psychology services and consultation
• Organisational Psychology: Organisational and industrial psychology services
• Community Psychology: Community psychology and public mental health services

• KPA Membership: Korean Psychological Association membership recommended
• Professional Ethics: Adherence to KPA ethics code and professional standards
• Professional Insurance: Professional liability insurance recommended
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development and education
• Professional Standards: Adherence to professional practice standards

2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (임상심리사)

Registration Required: KPA certification recommended; master's degree required

Scope: Clinical psychology assessment and intervention

Education Requirements:

• Psychology Degree: Bachelor's degree in psychology from recognised university
• Master's Degree: Master's degree in clinical psychology or related field (minimum 2 years)
• Clinical Training: Specialised clinical psychology training and supervised practice
• Practical Experience: Extensive supervised clinical practice experience
• Professional Competency: Demonstration of clinical psychology competency
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Korean language
• Continuing Education: Ongoing clinical continuing education

• Clinical Assessment: Comprehensive clinical psychological assessment and testing
• Psychological Diagnosis: Clinical psychological evaluation and diagnosis (non-medical)
• Treatment Planning: Clinical treatment planning and case management
• Psychological Intervention: Evidence-based clinical psychological interventions
• Therapy Services: Individual, group, and family therapy services
• Consultation: Professional consultation to healthcare providers and teams
• Research: Clinical research and evidence-based practice

• Master's Education: Master's degree in clinical psychology required
• KPA Certification: Korean Psychological Association certification recommended
• Professional Ethics: Adherence to KPA ethics code and clinical standards
• Professional Insurance: Professional liability insurance recommended
• Supervision: Clinical supervision during training and early practice
• Continuing Education: Ongoing clinical continuing education and professional development

3.YOUTH COUNSELOR (청소년상담사), PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR (전문상담교사), MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER (정신건강사회복지사)

Registration Required: National certification required

Scope: Professional counselling services with government certification

Education Requirements:

• University Degree: Bachelor's degree in psychology, counselling, social work, or related field
• Specialised Training: Specialised counselling training and education
• Practical Training: Supervised counselling practice experience
• National Examination: National counsellor certification examination
• Professional Competency: Demonstration of counselling competency
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Korean language
• Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education requirements

• Individual Counselling: Individual counselling for various mental health concerns
• Group Counselling: Group counselling and therapeutic groups
• Family Counselling: Family and couples counselling services
• Crisis Intervention: Crisis intervention and emergency mental health services
• Assessment: Counselling assessment and evaluation
• Treatment Planning: Counselling treatment planning and case management
• Community Services: Community mental health counselling services

• National Certification: Ministry of Health and Welfare national certification required
• Professional Standards: Adherence to national professional standards and ethics
• Professional Insurance: Professional liability insurance recommended
• Supervision: Professional supervision during training and early practice
• Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education requirements for certification maintenance

4. PSYCHIATRIST (정신과의사)

Registration Required: Medical registration plus psychiatric specialisation

Scope: Full psychiatric medical practice

Education Requirements:

• Medical Education: 6-year medical degree from a recognised university
• Medical Training: General medical training and internship
• Psychiatric Specialisation: Psychiatric specialisation training and residency (4 years)
• Medical Registration: Medical registration with appropriate medical association
• Psychiatric Certification: Psychiatric specialisation certification
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Korean language
• Continuing Education: Ongoing medical education requirements

• Medical Authority: Full medical authority, including prescription and procedures
• Psychiatric Diagnosis: Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
• Medical Treatment: Psychiatric medications and medical interventions
• Hospitalisation: Authority for psychiatric hospitalisation and treatment
• Emergency Care: Psychiatric emergency care and crisis intervention
• Healthcare Integration: Full integration with Korean healthcare system

5. COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGIST (상담심리사)

Registration Required: KPA certification recommended

Scope: Counselling psychology practice with professional association standards

Education Requirements:

• Psychology Degree: Bachelor's degree in psychology from a recognised university
• Master's Degree: Master's degree in counselling psychology or related field
• Counselling Training: Specialised counselling psychology training and supervised practice
• Practical Experience: Extensive supervised counselling practice experience
• Professional Competency: Demonstration of counselling psychology competency
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Korean language
• Continuing Education: Ongoing counselling continuing education

• Individual Counselling: Individual counselling for various psychological concerns
• Group Counselling: Group counselling and therapeutic groups
• Family Counselling: Family and couples counselling services
• Career Counselling: Career development and vocational counselling
• Assessment: Counselling assessment and evaluation
• Treatment Planning: Counselling treatment planning and case management
• Research: Counselling psychology research and evidence-based practice

• Master's Education: Master's degree in counselling psychology recommended
• KPA Certification: Korean Psychological Association certification recommended
• Professional Ethics: Adherence to KPA ethics code and counselling standards
• Professional Insurance: Professional liability insurance recommended
• Supervision: Professional supervision during training and early practice
• Continuing Education: Ongoing counselling, continuing education and professional development

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying KPA Membership and Certification:

Verification Process:

• KPA Website: Access KPA website at https://www.koreanpsychology.or.kr/main/main.html
• Member Search: Search KPA member and certification directory
• Membership Status: Verify KPA membership and certification status
• Professional Information: Check professional background and specialisations

Verifying Counsellor Certification:

Verification Process:

• MOHW Contact: Contact Ministry of Health and Welfare
• Certification Search: Search national counsellor certification database
• Certification Status: Verify national certification status and validity
• Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions
• To verify a Youth Counselor: Verification can be done through The Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) (q-net.or.kr)

Verifying Educational Qualifications:

Verification Process:

• University Contact: Contact university that issued degree
• Degree Verification: Verify psychology or counselling degree and graduation
• Program Accreditation: Check program accreditation and recognition
• Academic Records: Verify academic records and qualifications

Verifying Medical Professionals:

Verification Process:

• Medical Association: Contact appropriate medical association
• Registration Search: Search medical registration database
• Specialisation Verification: Verify medical specialisations and certifications
• Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions

Professional Information Available:

• Educational Background: University education and degree verification
• Professional Training: Professional training and specialisation information
• Association Membership: Professional association membership status
• Certification Status: Professional certification status and validity
• Professional Experience: Professional experience and practice history

Complaint Procedures

For KPA Members and Certified Professionals:

Process:

• KPA Complaint: Submit complaint to Korean Psychological Association
• Professional Investigation: KPA investigation of professional conduct and certification compliance
• Ethics Review: Review against KPA ethics code and professional standards
• Professional Sanctions: KPA professional sanctions if violations are found (certification suspension/revocation)
• Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within KPA system

KPA Complaint Contacts:

• Website: https://www.koreanpsychology.or.kr/main/main.html
• Address: 635-4 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Phone: +82-2-537-6171
• Email: kpa1946@koreanpsychology.or.kr

For National Certified Counsellors:

Process:

• MOHW Complaint: Submit complaint to Ministry of Health and Welfare
• Government Investigation: MOHW investigation of professional conduct and certification compliance
• Standards Review: Review against national professional standards and requirements
• Government Sanctions: Government disciplinary measures if violations found (certification suspension/revocation)
• Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within government system

For Medical Professionals:

Process:

• Medical Association Complaint: Submit complaint to appropriate medical association
• Medical Investigation: Medical association investigation of professional conduct
• Medical Standards Review: Review against medical professional standards and ethics
• Medical Sanctions: Medical disciplinary measures if violations found
• Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within medical association system

For Unregulated Practice:

Civil Remedies: Civil legal remedies for professional misconduct and damages

Criminal Prosecution: Criminal prosecution for fraud or illegal medical practice

Complaint Categories:

• Unlicensed Practice: Fraudulent claims about professional qualifications or certifications
• Professional Misconduct: Violations of professional ethics and standards
• Certification Fraud: Fraudulent claims about professional certifications
• Scope Violations: Practising outside appropriate scope or making inappropriate claims
• Medical Practice: Illegal medical practice without appropriate medical qualifications

Available Remedies:

• Professional Sanctions: Professional sanctions through professional associations (certification suspension/revocation)
• Government Sanctions: Government sanctions through MOHW (certification suspension/revocation)
• Civil Liability: Civil liability for professional misconduct and damages
• Consumer Protection: Consumer protection remedies for fraudulent claims
• Criminal Prosecution: Criminal prosecution for fraud or illegal practice

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Professional Title Protection:

Professional Standards: Title protection primarily through professional association standards and national certification

Protected Professional Titles:

• "(청소년상담사)" (Youth Counsellor): Protected under national certification system
• "의사" (Doctor/Physician): Strongly protected under medical legislation
• "정신과의사" (Psychiatrist): Protected under medical legislation and psychiatric specialisation
• "정신건강임상심리사" (Mental Health Clinical Psychologist): Protected through professional association standards

Educational Requirements for Professional Titles:

• University Education: Appropriate university education required for psychology titles
• Professional Training: Professional training and competency demonstration
• Professional Standards: Adherence to professional standards and ethics
• Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education and professional development

Legal Enforcement:

Medical Enforcement: Strong enforcement for medical titles and practice

Professional Association Enforcement: Professional enforcement through association standards. Consumer Protection: General consumer protection for fraudulent claims

Current Professional Statistics

• Psychology Graduates: Significant number of psychology graduates from Korean universities
• KPA Members: Thousands of Korean Psychological Association members
• National Certified Counsellors: Growing number of nationally certified counsellors
• Psychiatrists: Established psychiatric medical speciality with hundreds of practitioners

• Educational Focus: Strong emphasis on university education and academic qualifications
• Professional Associations: Active professional associations providing standards and support
• National Certification: Growing national certification system for counsellors
• Healthcare Integration: Integration with Korean healthcare system

• Professional Standards: Strong professional association standards and ethics
• National Certification: Developing national certification system for counsellors
• Educational Quality: High-quality university education and training programs
• Healthcare Integration: Integration with comprehensive healthcare system

Language Requirements

For Professional Practice:

• Korean Language: Proficiency in Korean language required for professional practice
• Professional Communication: Language skills for patient and professional communication
• Documentation: Professional documentation in Korean language
• Cultural Competency: Understanding of Korean cultural and social context

For Foreign Professionals:

• Language Assessment: Language proficiency assessment required for professional practice
• Cultural Preparation: Understanding of Korean cultural and social context
• Professional Integration: Integration with Korean professional community
• Continuing Education: Language and cultural continuing education opportunities

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Verify Education: Check university education and psychology/counselling degree
• Professional Associations: Seek services from KPA members or nationally certified counsellors
• Professional Experience: Consider professional experience and specialisations
• Insurance Coverage: Verify national health insurance coverage for services
• Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional standards and ethics

When Seeking Psychology Services:

• Educational Background: Verify appropriate psychology education from recognised university
• KPA Membership: Consider KPA members for quality assurance
• Professional Experience: Check professional experience and specialisations
• Scope of Practice: Understand the scope of practice and services offered
• Professional Insurance: Ensure professional liability insurance coverage

When Seeking Counselling Services:

• National Certification: Consider nationally certified counsellors for quality assurance
• Educational Background: Verify appropriate counselling education and training
• Professional Experience: Check counselling experience and specialisations
• Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional ethics and standards
• Supervision: Ensure appropriate professional supervision (especially for new practitioners)

For International Practitioners:

• Educational Recognition: Understand Korean educational and professional requirements
• Language Proficiency: Develop adequate Korean language proficiency
• Cultural Preparation: Understand Korean cultural and social context
• Professional Integration: Engage with Korean professional community
• Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with Korean professional requirements

Red Flags to Avoid:

• No University Education: Cannot provide evidence of appropriate university education
• Unverified Claims: Claims about qualifications not verifiable through universities or professional associations
• Inappropriate Scope: Practising outside the appropriate scope or making inappropriate medical claims
• No Professional Training: Cannot provide evidence of appropriate professional training
• Unlicensed Medical Practice: Making medical claims without appropriate medical qualifications

Sources and Verification

Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)

Korean Psychological Association (KPA)

Korean Clinical Psychology Association (KCPA)

National Centre for Mental Health (Manages MOHW professional training)

Korea Law Information Centre