Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in the Dominican Republic: 2025 Guide

In the Dominican Republic, the regulation of mental health professionals varies by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while all psychologists must be registered with the national college (CODOPSI), with clinical practice requiring specific postgraduate credentials.

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

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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

Current Status: The Dominican Republic has a comprehensive psychology regulatory system established under Law 22-01, which created the Dominican College of Psychologists (CODOPSI) as the sole regulatory authority for psychology practice. The system ensures professional standards through mandatory registration, educational requirements, and ethical oversight, with particular emphasis on clinical psychology specialisation.

Primary Legislation:

• Law 22-01: Dominican College of Psychologists Act - establishes CODOPSI and regulates psychology practice

• CODOPSI Statutes (Estatutos): Detailed organisational and professional standards

• Code of Ethics and Discipline (Código de Ética y Disciplina): Professional ethical standards and disciplinary procedures

• Executive Power Regulations: Exequatur requirements for professional practice

REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

1. DOMINICAN COLLEGE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS (CODOPSI)

Role: Sole regulatory authority for psychology profession in Dominican Republic

Authority: Professional college established by Law 22-01 with statutory powers

Functions:

• Professional Registration: Mandatory registration of all practising psychologists

• License Processing: Processing exequatur applications through Executive Power

• Educational Standards: Setting and enforcing educational and training requirements

• Professional Standards: Development and enforcement of professional standards

• Ethical Oversight: Professional ethics enforcement and disciplinary procedures

• Quality Assurance: Ensuring professional competency and public protection

• Continuing Education: Professional development and continuing education requirements

• Mandatory Membership: All practising psychologists must be registered with CODOPSI

• Exequatur Processing: Exclusive authority to process professional license applications

• Disciplinary Authority: Power to impose professional sanctions and discipline

• Professional Standards: Authority to set professional practice standards

• Educational Requirements: Authority to establish educational and training requirements

2. EXECUTIVE POWER (PODER EJECUTIVO)

Role: Government authority for professional licensing (exequatur)

Authority: Constitutional authority for professional licensing

Functions:

• Exequatur Issuance: Final authority for professional license (exequatur) issuance

• Legal Authorisation: Legal authorisation for professional practice

• Government Oversight: Government oversight of professional licensing

• Public Protection: Ensuring professional competency for public protection

3. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Role: University education oversight and degree recognition

Authority: Government ministry with educational authority

Functions:

• Degree Recognition: Recognition and validation of psychology degrees

• University Oversight: Oversight of psychology education programs

• International Recognition: Recognition of foreign psychology degrees

• Educational Standards: Setting educational standards for psychology programs

4. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Role: Healthcare system oversight and mental health services

Authority: Government ministry with healthcare authority

Functions:

• Healthcare Regulation: Regulation of healthcare services, including mental health

• Public Health Protection: Public health protection and promotion

• Healthcare Standards: Healthcare quality standards and oversight

• Mental Health Policy: Mental health policy development and implementation

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (PSICÓLOGO/A)

Regulatory Authority: CODOPSI under Law 22-01

License Required: Exequatur plus CODOPSI registration

Scope: General psychology practice

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree: Minimum bachelor's degree in psychology from a recognised institution

• Dominican Degree: Preferably from a Dominican university, or a foreign degree revalidated by Dominican university

• University Recognition: Degree must be from a university authorised to grant psychology titles

• Academic Level: Minimum bachelor's level (licenciatura) in psychology

• Degree Validation: Foreign degrees must be revalidated/recognised by Dominican University

• Exequatur: Professional license issued by Executive Power

• CODOPSI Registration: Mandatory registration with Dominican College of Psychologists

• Permanent Residence: Must have permanent residence in Dominican Republic

• Professional Standards: Compliance with CODOPSI professional standards and ethics

• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development requirements

• Psychological Assessment: Psychological evaluation and testing

• Psychological Research: Research in cognitive processes and human behaviour

• Teaching: Psychology education and training

• Professional Services: Psychological services to individuals and organisations

• Consultation: Professional consultation services

• General Psychology: Practice in non-clinical psychology areas

2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (PSICÓLOGO/A CLÍNICO/A)

Regulatory Authority: CODOPSI under Law 22-01

License Required: Exequatur plus CODOPSI clinical registration

Scope: Clinical psychology practice and mental health treatment

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor's degree in psychology from a recognised institution

• Postgraduate Studies: Completed postgraduate studies in clinical psychology

• Specialist Level: Minimum specialist level (especialista) in clinical psychology

• Dominican Institution: Postgraduate degree from Dominican University or a revalidated foreign degree

• Authorised Institution: Degree from institution authorised by competent bodies

• Clinical Training: Comprehensive clinical training and supervised practice

• Transition Period: Practising psychologists at time of law promulgation have 5 years to complete speciality studies

• Grandfathering: Professionals in full legal practice, when law enacted, may continue with transition requirements

• CODOPSI Registration: Must be specifically registered as a clinical psychologist with CODOPSI

• Clinical Specialisation: Completed clinical psychology specialisation

• CODOPSI Clinical Registration: Specific registration as a clinical psychologist

• Exequatur: Professional license from Executive Power

• Permanent Residence: Permanent residence in Dominican Republic

• Professional Standards: Compliance with clinical psychology standards

• Clinical Assessment: Comprehensive clinical psychological assessment

• Mental Health Treatment: Psychological treatment of mental and emotional disorders

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapeutic interventions and treatment

• Crisis Intervention: Mental health crisis intervention and support

• Clinical Consultation: Clinical psychology consultation services

• Diagnostic Services: Psychological diagnosis within the scope of practice

3. PROFESSIONALS FROM OTHER AREAS PRACTICING PSYCHOLOGY

Regulatory Authority: CODOPSI under Law 22-01

License Required: Specialised psychology education plus registration

Scope: Limited to area of specialisation

Education Requirements for Clinical Psychology:

• Base Profession: Professional degree in other area

• Psychology Specialisation: PhD-level specialisation in psychology

• Clinical Focus: Specialisation specifically in clinical psychology

• Dominican Recognition: Degree recognised by Dominican institutions

• Base Profession: Professional degree in other area

• Master's Level: Master's degree in psychology specialisation area

• Specific Specialisation: Specialisation in a specific psychology area

• Specialised Practice Only: Authorised only to practice in area of psychology specialisation

• No General Practice: Cannot practice general psychology outside specialisation

• Professional Standards: Must comply with CODOPSI standards for specialisation area

4. FOREIGN PSYCHOLOGISTS (TEMPORARY SERVICES)

Regulatory Authority: CODOPSI consultation required

License Required: Temporary authorisation for specific services

Scope: Limited temporary services

Exemption Criteria:

• Foreign Authorisation: Duly authorised to practice psychology in country of residence

• Specific Services: Hired for specific services for a determined time period

• Teaching/Consultation: Teachers or technical consultants

• Qualified Personnel: When no qualified Dominican personnel available

• Public/Autonomous Institutions: Must consult CODOPSI before contracting

• Legal Obligation: Institutions are legally obligated to report decisions to CODOPSI

• Private Institutions: Contract subject to prior CODOPSI approval

• Personnel Availability: Must demonstrate no qualified Dominican personnel are available

5. PSYCHIATRIST (PSIQUIATRA)

Regulatory Authority: Dominican Medical College (CMD)

License Required: Medical license plus psychiatric specialisation

Scope: Full psychiatric medical practice

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree: University medical degree from a recognised institution

• Medical Training: General medical training and internship

• Psychiatric Specialisation: Specialised psychiatric training and certification

• Medical College Registration: Registration with Dominican Medical College

• 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 medical treatments and interventions

• Hospitalisation: Authority for psychiatric hospitalisation and treatment

• Emergency Care: Psychiatric emergency care and intervention

6. OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Categories: Various allied mental health professions

Regulation: Professional-specific regulatory frameworks

Professional Categories:

• Social Workers: Regulated under social work legislation

• Mental Health Nurses: Nursing regulation with mental health specialisation

• Occupational Therapists: Healthcare profession regulation

• Counsellors: Various counselling specialisations with specific requirements

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE PUBLIC

Verifying CODOPSI Registration:

CODOPSI Database: Dominican College of Psychologists maintains member database

Verification Process:

• CODOPSI Contact: Contact CODOPSI directly for registration verification

• Professional Status: Verify current registration status and validity

• Specialisation Check: Confirm clinical psychology registration if applicable

• Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions

• Exequatur Verification: Verify valid exequatur (professional license)

Professional Information Available:

• Registration Status: Current CODOPSI registration status

• Professional Category: General psychology or clinical psychology specialisation

• Educational Background: Verified educational qualifications

• Professional Standing: Professional standing and any disciplinary actions

• Practice Authorisation: Authorised scope of practice

Red Flags - Warning Signs:

• No CODOPSI Registration: Cannot provide a valid CODOPSI registration

• No Exequatur: Cannot provide a valid professional license (exequatur)

• Expired Registration: Registration not current or expired

• Scope Violations: Practising outside authorised scope (especially clinical psychology)

• Unverified Education: Cannot demonstrate appropriate educational qualifications

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

For CODOPSI Registered Professionals:

Authority: Dominican College of Psychologists (CODOPSI)

Process:

• Formal Complaint: Submit complaint to CODOPSI Ethics and Discipline Council

• Investigation: Professional conduct investigation under Code of Ethics and Discipline

• Disciplinary Review: Review against professional standards and ethical requirements

• Sanctions: CODOPSI disciplinary measures if violations are found

• Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within CODOPSI structure

Complaint Categories:

• Professional Misconduct: Violations of professional standards and ethics

• Scope Violations: Practising outside the authorised scope (especially clinical psychology without specialisation)

• Educational Violations: Practising without appropriate educational qualifications

• Registration Violations: Practising without a valid CODOPSI registration or exequatur

• Ethical Violations: Violations of Code of Ethics and Discipline

CODOPSI Disciplinary Powers:

• Professional Sanctions: Range of professional sanctions and disciplinary measures

• Registration Suspension: Suspension of CODOPSI registration

• Professional Exclusion: Exclusion from professional practice

• Remedial Requirements: Requirements for professional remediation

• Public Protection: Measures to protect public from professional misconduct

Contact Information:

• CODOPSI: Dominican College of Psychologists

• Ethics and Discipline Council: CODOPSI disciplinary authority

• Professional Complaints: Through CODOPSI complaint system

PROTECTED TITLES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Protected Professional Titles:

• "Psicólogo/Psicóloga": Protected by Law 22-01, requires CODOPSI registration and exequatur

• "Psicólogo Clínico/Psicóloga Clínica": Protected clinical psychology title, requires specialisation

• "Psiquiatra": Protected psychiatric medical title under medical regulation

Legal Requirements:

• CODOPSI Registration: Mandatory registration with Dominican College of Psychologists

• Exequatur: Professional license from Executive Power

• Educational Compliance: Appropriate educational qualifications

• Permanent Residence: Permanent residence in Dominican Republic

• Professional Standards: Adherence to CODOPSI professional standards and ethics

Penalties for Unlicensed Practice:

• Criminal Sanctions: Criminal penalties for unlicensed practice of protected professions

• Professional Sanctions: CODOPSI disciplinary actions and registration suspension

• Civil Liability: Civil liability for professional misconduct and damages

• Practice Prohibition: Prohibition from professional practice

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS

• Approximately 15,000: Professional psychologists in Dominican Republic (recent estimates)

• 16,000: Psychology students (indicating continued growth)

• Significant Growth: Major increase from 1992 estimate of 900 professionals

• CODOPSI Members: All practising psychologists must be CODOPSI members

• Mandatory Registration: All psychologists must be registered with CODOPSI

• Clinical Specialisation: Separate requirements for clinical psychology practice

• Professional Growth: Rapid growth in the psychology profession

• Educational Expansion: Multiple universities offering psychology programs

• Clinical Psychology: Significant portion practising clinical psychology

• General Psychology: Various areas of general psychology practice

• Academic Psychology: Psychology education and research

• Applied Psychology: Various applied psychology specialisations

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

For Professional Practice:

• Spanish: Primary language for professional practice and documentation

• Professional Communication: Spanish proficiency essential for patient communication

• Documentation: Professional documentation in Spanish language

• Cultural Competency: Understanding of Dominican cultural and social context

International Practitioners:

• Language Proficiency: Spanish language proficiency required for practice

• Cultural Preparation: Understanding of Dominican healthcare and cultural context

• Professional Integration: Integration with Dominican professional community

• Continuing Education: Spanish language continuing education opportunities

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Verify CODOPSI Registration: Check CODOPSI registration for all psychology services

• Clinical Specialisation: Ensure clinical psychologist registration for mental health treatment

• Exequatur Verification: Verify valid professional license (exequatur)

• Educational Qualifications: Confirm appropriate educational background

• Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions

When Seeking Clinical Psychology Services:

• Clinical Registration: Ensure specific CODOPSI clinical psychology registration

• Specialisation Verification: Verify clinical psychology specialisation and training

• Professional Experience: Check clinical experience and background

• Treatment Approach: Understand treatment approach and methods

• Professional Standards: Ensure compliance with clinical psychology standards

For International Practitioners:

• Degree Validation: Complete Dominican degree validation process

• CODOPSI Registration: Complete CODOPSI registration before practice

• Exequatur Process: Obtain a professional license through Executive Power

• Language Proficiency: Develop adequate Spanish language proficiency

• Cultural Preparation: Understand Dominican healthcare and cultural context

Red Flags to Avoid:

• No CODOPSI Registration: Cannot provide valid CODOPSI registration verification

• No Clinical Registration: Providing clinical services without clinical psychology registration

• No Exequatur: Cannot provide a valid professional license

• Unverified Education: Cannot demonstrate appropriate educational qualifications

• Scope Violations: Practising outside authorised professional scope

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Dominican Medical College (CMD)

Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT)

CODOPSI

Law 22-01 (Official Text)

This guide reflects the Dominican Republic's comprehensive psychology regulatory system established under Law 22-01, with CODOPSI as the sole regulatory authority for psychology practice. The system emphasises clinical psychology specialisation, mandatory professional registration, and strong professional standards. All practising psychologists must be registered with CODOPSI and hold a valid exequatur from the Executive Power. Verify current requirements with CODOPSI for the most up-to-date information.