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Practitioner Psychologist

Regulators
  • Health and Care Professions Council
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Health and care

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Address

Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU

Email address
policy@hcpc-uk.org
Phone number
+44 (0)2075 820 866

Regulation

Regulation summary

Psychology is the scientific study of people, the mind and behaviour. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behaviour.

The profession is split into different modalities which have their own protected titles and qualification requirements.

Regulation type

Certification

Reserved activities

Practitioner psychologists do not have reserved activities.

Protected titles

Practitioner psychologist
Registered psychologist
Clinical psychologist
Forensic psychologist
Counselling psychologist
Health psychologist
Educational psychologist
Occupational psychologist
Sport and exercise psychologist

More about regulated activities and titles
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/about-us/who-we-regulate/the-professions/

Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

The profession is split into different modalities which have their own qualification requirements.

The following must have a Masters degree:
- forensic psychologists (with the award of the British Psychological Society qualification in forensic psychology, or equivalent)
- health psychologists (with the award of the British Psychological Society qualification in health psychology, or equivalent)

occupational psychologists (with the award of the British Psychological Society qualification in occupational psychology, or equivalent); and
sport and exercise psychologists (with the award of the British Psychological Society qualification in sport and exercise psychology, or equivalent)

Clinical psychologists must have a professional doctorate.

Counselling psychologists and educational psychologists must have a professional doctorate or an equivalent qualification.

The profession is split into different modalities, each with specific entry requirements. Full details of approved programmes for each modality are available on the HCPC's website.

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
Summary of routes

If you have obtained your qualification outside the UK, you must apply via our international route. In your application, you will have to demonstrate that you have the training and experience to enable you to meet the standards of proficiency for this profession in the UK.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

Health Professions Order 2001

Website link to legislation
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutus/legislation/

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.