Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in the Philippines: 2025 Guide

In the Philippines, the regulation of mental health professionals is legally defined by their specific roles. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while psychologists and psychometricians must be licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) under the Philippine Psychology Act.

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

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

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

• Republic Act No. 10029: "Philippine Psychology Act of 2009" - Comprehensive regulation of psychology practice
• Professional Regulation Commission Act: Establishes PRC as regulatory authority
• Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR): Detailed implementation guidelines for RA 10029
• Mental Health Act (RA 11036): the landmark law that establishes a national mental health policy, protects the rights of service users, and mandates the integration of mental health services into the general healthcare system

Regulatory Authorities

1. PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION (PRC)

Website: https://www.prc.gov.ph/

Legal Authority: Republic Act No. 10029 and PRC Act

Functions:

• Administers licensure examinations for psychologists and psychometricians
• Issues professional licenses and identification cards
• Maintains professional register and verification system
• Enforces professional standards and ethics
• Investigates complaints and disciplinary actions
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) oversight

• Address: P. Paredes St, Sampaloc, Manila, 1008 Metro Manila
• Phone: (02) 5310-0024
• Email: Available through official website
• Online Services: License verification, examination applications, registration services

2. PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY (PRBP)

Oversight: Under administrative control of PRC

Legal Authority: Section 4, Republic Act No. 10029

Board Member Qualifications:

• Natural-born Filipino citizen and resident
• At least 35 years of age
• Good moral character
• Doctorate degree in psychology from CHED-recognised institution
• At least 10 years of practice in psychology and psychometrics
• At least 5 years of teaching experience in psychology
• Registered and licensed psychologist

• Administer and implement RA 10029 provisions
• Supervise registration, licensure and practice of psychologists
• Issue permits and exercise visitorial powers
• Formulate guidelines for continuing professional education
• Investigate violations and administrative cases

3. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (PAP)

Website: https://www.pap.ph/

Established: November 11, 1962

Contact Information:

• Address: Room 210, Second Floor, Philippine Social Science Centre, Diliman, Quezon City
• Phone: +632 8244-90-53
• Mobile: +63 915 422 5189
• Email: hello@pap.ph

• Professional development and advocacy
• Research and knowledge dissemination
• Public awareness of psychology
• International collaboration and partnerships

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST (REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST)

License Required: Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card

Education Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Psychology: From CHED-recognised institution
• Minimum 200 Hours Supervised Practicum/Internship: Clinical experience under a licensed psychologist or mental health professional
• Good Moral Character: Signed by a registered psychologist
• Filipino Citizenship: Required for licensure examination

• Application Submission: Complete application with required documents
• Document Requirements:
• NSO/PSA Birth Certificate
• NSO/PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants)
• Transcript of Records with "For Board Examination Purposes" notation
• CAV for schools without an SO number
• Valid NBI Clearance
• Three (3) Good Moral Character Certificates (Barangay, School, Church, or Employer)
• Mental Health Certification signed by a registered psychologist
• Proof of 200 hours supervised practicum/internship
• Examination Fee: ₱900.00
• Licensure Examination: Comprehensive psychology board examination
• License Issuance: Upon passing the examination and meeting requirements

1. Psychological Interventions:

• Psychological counselling and psychotherapy
• Psychosocial support and life coaching
• Psychological debriefing and group processes
• Play and expressive arts therapy
• Music therapy and trauma healing
• Correctional, rehabilitative and behavioural modification measures
• Consultation and advisory services

• Individual tests and projective tests
• Clinical interviews and psychological assessment tools
• Cognitive abilities and aptitude assessment
• Personality characteristics evaluation
• Attitudes, values, interests, emotions and motivations assessment
• Diagnostic interpretations and reports
• Recommendations for case studies and interventions

• Development, planning, and implementation of psychological treatment programs
• Monitoring and evaluation of psychological interventions
• Addiction rehabilitation and treatment programs
• Behavioural management in correctional facilities
• Mental health programs in disaster and emergency situations
• Clinical supervision of psychology practitioners and interns

• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Assessment Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Industrial/Organisational Psychology

2. PSYCHOMETRICIAN (LICENSED PSYCHOMETRICIAN)

Supervision Required: Must work under supervision of a licensed psychologist

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology: From CHED-recognised institution
• Filipino Citizenship: Required for licensure examination

• Test Administration and Scoring: Objective personality tests, structured personality tests (excluding projective tests and higher-level psychological tests)
• Results Interpretation: Interpreting test results and preparing written reports
• Intake Interviews: Conducting preparatory intake interviews for psychological intervention sessions

• Cannot Practice Independently: Must be supervised by a licensed psychologist
• Limited Test Administration: Cannot administer projective tests or higher-level psychological tests
• Supervisor's Responsibility: All reports must bear the signature of the supervising psychologist

3. PSYCHIATRIST

Medical Speciality: Psychiatry under medical practice regulation

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree (MD): From a CHED-recognised medical school
• Medical Internship: Required medical training
• Psychiatry Residency: Specialised psychiatric training
• Medical Board Examination: PRC medical licensure
• Speciality Board Certification: Psychiatry speciality recognition

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

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying Psychologist/Psychometrician Credentials:

• Visit PRC Website: https://verification.prc.gov.ph/
• Access Verification Services: "Verification of Licenses" section
• Search Professional Database: Enter name or license number
• Verify License Status: Check active/inactive status
• Confirm Specialisation: Review professional category
• Check Disciplinary Status: Review any sanctions or restrictions

• License number and validity
• Professional category (Psychologist/Psychometrician)
• Registration date and renewal status
• Disciplinary actions or restrictions

Red Flags - Warning Signs:

• No Valid PRC License: Cannot provide PRC license number or ID
• Unlicensed Practice: Claims to be a psychologist without proper credentials
• Psychometrician Working Independently: Must work under supervision
• Unverifiable Education: Cannot verify degree from CHED-recognised institution
• Expired License: License not current or renewed
• Disciplinary Actions: History of professional misconduct

Complaint Procedures

Filing Complaints Against Psychologists/Psychometricians:

Process:

• Written Complaint: Submit a detailed complaint to PRC
• Investigation: PRC investigates professional misconduct
• Administrative Hearing: Formal hearing process if warranted
• Disciplinary Actions: Possible sanctions including:
• Reprimand or censure
• Suspension of license
• Revocation of license
• Fines and penalties
• Appeal Process: Right to appeal disciplinary decisions

• PRC Main Office: P. Paredes St, Sampaloc, Manila
• Phone: (02) 5310-0024
• Email: Through official PRC website
• Online Complaint System: Available through PRC portal

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Legally Protected Titles:

• "Psychologist": Protected under RA 10029, requires PRC license
• "Psychometrician": Protected under RA 10029, requires PRC license
• "Licensed Psychologist": Indicates PRC licensure
• "Registered Psychologist": Indicates PRC registration

Legal Penalties:

• Unauthorised Practice: Criminal penalties under RA 10029
• Title Misuse: Legal action for unauthorised use of protected titles
• Professional Misconduct: License sanctions and legal consequences
• Fraudulent Practice: Criminal and civil liability

Current Professional Statistics

• Licensed Psychologists: Thousands of active practitioners
• Licensed Psychometricians: Supporting professionals under supervision
• Professional Growth: Expanding mental health awareness and services
• Geographic Distribution: Concentrated in urban areas with a growing rural presence

Sources and Verification:

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)

Philippine Psychology Act (RA 10029)

Mental Health Act (RA 11036)