On 9 January 2026, the Sejm adopted the Act on the Profession of Psychologist and the Professional Self-Government of Psychologists. The bill will now be reviewed by the Senate of the Republic of Poland. The new regulations are intended to organize the market for psychological services, raise service quality, and strengthen protection for people seeking psychological support.
“We deserve certainty that psychological help is provided by a qualified specialist,” said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Minister of Labour, during the first reading of the bill.
What the act will change
The act introduces a closed catalogue of psychological services, sets out the rules for obtaining the right to practice the profession, and establishes a professional self-government of psychologists. A key new feature will be the Register of Psychologists, enabling the public to verify whether a given person is authorized to practice.
Criminal provisions will also be introduced. Impersonating a psychologist without the right to practice, as well as providing psychological services without the required authorization, will be punishable offenses.
What counts as “psychological services”
The act defines a closed list of services, including:
- psychological diagnosis,
- psychological opinions,
- psychological assessments,
- provision of psychological assistance.
This is meant to bring order to the market. Previously, the catalogue was open and services lacked clear definitions, making accountability difficult to enforce.
Who will be allowed to practice as a psychologist
The right to practice will be granted to a person who meets all statutory requirements, including completion of:
- first-cycle (Bachelor’s) studies in psychology and second-cycle (Master’s) studies in psychology, obtaining a Master’s degree; or
- long-cycle (integrated) Master’s studies in psychology, obtaining a Master’s degree; or
- qualifications recognized in Poland (from the EU) or a non-EU diploma recognized as equivalent.
Additional requirements include full public rights and legal capacity, no final conviction for an intentional offense prosecuted by public indictment, and sufficient command of the Polish language for professional practice.
Education alone will not be sufficient—entry in the Register of Psychologists will also be required.
“Vested rights” for psychology graduates
As a rule, the act requires completion of both Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in psychology. At the same time, it protects vested rights. Individuals who, by the date the act enters into force, complete second-cycle psychology studies in Poland and obtain a Master’s degree (even if their Bachelor’s degree was in another field) will be able to enter the register and practice.
Graduates of integrated Master’s programs in health psychology (offered by medical universities) will also be eligible, due to the close alignment of curricula.
Professional self-government and patient complaints
The self-government will have a dual role: representing the profession and supervising proper practice of a profession of public trust. It will decide on admission to the profession (entry in the register) and on disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or revocation of the right to practice.
An aggrieved person will be able to submit a motion to the disciplinary ombudsman to initiate preliminary proceedings. If evidence confirms violations, the case will be referred to a disciplinary court.
A mentor for new psychologists
The act provides for mandatory cooperation with a mentor for those beginning practice. A psychologist will gain the right to practice upon entry in the register and will work independently, but the mentor will support practical work and ethical standards.
The cooperation is to last 150 hours, including at least 75 hours on site, over 9 to 24 months. A negative final opinion from the mentor may result in removal from the register, with an appeals process предусмотрed.
Psychotherapy not reserved exclusively for psychologists
The act does not reserve psychotherapy exclusively for psychologists. Multiple pathways to psychotherapist qualifications remain in place, with separate regulations governing practice in the public system. Work is ongoing on a separate regulation of the psychotherapist profession.
However, if psychotherapy is provided by a registered psychologist, they will be subject to professional secrecy, documentation rules, and disciplinary liability under the new act.
Public register and information on sanctions
The register will be publicly accessible to a limited extent: name and surname, registration number and date, and status (“practicing” or “not practicing”). Disciplinary penalties will not be public, but revocation of the right to practice will result in removal from the register. In cases of suspension, the psychologist will remain listed as “not practicing.”
Penalties for impersonation and unauthorized practice
Unauthorized use of the title “psychologist” will be punishable by a fine, and—if aimed at obtaining financial gain—also by restriction of liberty. Providing psychological services without the right to practice will be punishable by a fine or restriction of liberty; if done for profit or by deception, it may also carry imprisonment of up to one year.
What’s next
Following the vote in the Sejm, the bill moves to the Senate. If it enters into force without major changes, the market for psychological services will be unified, with clear entry requirements, a register of authorizations, ethical obligations, and effective disciplinary accountability.
Source: ceo.com.pl
