Obtaining a Psychologist License in Ukraine

A psychologist license in Ukraine is an important issue for practicing psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and managers of healthcare facilities. Licensing requirements for psychological services often cause confusion, especially because these professions are regulated differently. Healthcare facility owners also do not always understand which specialists must be included in a medical practice license. This creates compliance risks and can complicate the hiring of qualified professionals.

In this article, we explain whether a psychologist needs a license and review the key licensing rules for psychological practice in Ukraine. We distinguish between psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists, explain when a medical practice license is mandatory, and provide a step-by-step overview of the licensing procedure.

Differences Between a Psychologist, Psychotherapist, and Psychiatrist

Psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists are often confused because their titles and areas of work may appear similar. However, their functions, education, and licensing requirements differ substantially. In addition, not every professional described as a “psychologist” is a doctor, and the scope of practice can vary significantly.

Below we explain the main differences between these professionals.

1. Education and Scope of Practice

• Medical Psychologists

A psychologist’s education is often unrelated to medicine. Psychology qualifications can be obtained through several educational pathways. Medical psychology, however, is studied within higher education institutions specializing in healthcare.

According to the Handbook of Qualification Characteristics for Healthcare Professions, Issue 78 “Healthcare”, a medical psychologist must have higher education in the field of Healthcare with a specialization in Medical Psychology or Medical and Psychological Rehabilitation. For example, a doctor who graduated in General Medicine or Pediatrics must complete an internship followed by specialization in Medical Psychology.

So does a psychologist with this type of education need a license?

Definitely yes. With this educational background, a medical practice license is required.

• Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychology is different. Clinical psychologists are professionals with higher non-medical education. More recently, the information submitted for a medical practice license was expanded to include rehabilitation specialists, a category that includes clinical psychologists. If you have higher education in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a degree in Psychology, or higher education in Social and Political Sciences with a degree in Psychology, together with specialization in Clinical Psychology, a medical practice license is also mandatory.

• Psychiatrists and Physician-Psychotherapists

Psychiatrists and physician-psychotherapists are medical doctors. Their professional competence includes diagnosing mental disorders and prescribing medication. Psychiatrists work with more serious and complex mental health conditions. They complete medical higher education, typically in General Medicine, followed by specialization in Psychiatry. Physician-psychotherapists are also fully qualified doctors, although their work generally does not focus on treating severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

In practice, the distinction between these professionals is not always understood, and information about specialists is often entered incorrectly in licensing documents. We therefore recommend reviewing the qualification requirements carefully before starting the licensing procedure.

2. Methods of Practice

• Psychologists

Psychologists, specifically medical psychologists, work at the intersection of psychology and medicine. They may assess a patient’s mental state, support correction of the patient’s psycho-emotional condition, help patients adapt to difficult life circumstances and, where their medical qualification and scope of practice allow it, prescribe medication.

• Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists are not authorized to treat patients or independently decide whether a patient should take medication. They may, however, refer the patient to colleagues for further treatment. Clinical psychologists usually provide assistance verbally by analyzing the person’s situation, diagnosing disorders of mental development, and conducting supportive psychotherapy sessions.

• Psychiatrists and Physician-Psychotherapists

Psychiatrists and physician-psychotherapists are medical doctors who may prescribe medication to patients and treat more serious mental health conditions within their respective specialties.

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Documents Required for a Medical Practice License for a Psychologist

Obtaining the license requires preparing a document package that depends on the specific type of practice. To prepare a complete submission to the Ministry of Health for a medical practice license, you will generally need the following documents and information:

1. Extract from the Unified State Register (USR).

First, you need to register a business entity. If you plan to work independently and operate your own medical practice, an individual entrepreneur (FOP) is usually the more practical form. If you plan to open a clinic focused on mental health services and employ other professionals, an LLC may be more appropriate. If you establish an LLC, remember that the healthcare facility must have a medical director responsible for the relevant medical processes.

2. A document confirming barrier-free access to the building and premises where the business will operate for persons with reduced mobility.

This is a mandatory requirement for all healthcare facilities that has applied since 2024. Accordingly, even those that obtained a license earlier must add the details of this document to their licensing file.

3. A document confirming the legal basis for using the premises, such as a lease agreement or ownership document.

There are currently no specific minimum floor-area requirements established for consultation rooms used by doctors in these specialties. However, DBN V.2.2-10:2022 provides, among other things, that:

• single-occupancy rooms in psychiatric departments for patients under 18 must be at least 18 m² for new construction and reconstruction;

• single-occupancy rooms in psychiatric departments for patients over 18 must be at least 18 m² for new construction and 12 m² for reconstruction.

4. Floor plan showing room names and floor areas.

5. Work schedule.

6. List of medical equipment in free form, indicating the device name, manufacturer, model, and year of manufacture.

7. Documents confirming metrological verification of measuring equipment currently in use.

8. Documents confirming the doctor’s professional qualifications.

This includes the diploma, specialist physician certificate, and relevant professional certificate or credential.

Important! Providing medical practice without the required license, where licensing is mandatory, violates Ukrainian law. Under the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, conducting business activity without the required license is punishable by a fine. In some cases, depending on the seriousness of the violation, criminal liability may also apply.

Procedure for Obtaining a Medical Practice License for a Psychologist

So how do you obtain a psychologist license in Ukraine? As explained above, a license is mandatory for a medical psychologist and for specialists in related fields. The licensing procedure consists of several key stages:

1. Register the business entity.
2. Prepare the documents required to complete the licensing information forms. At this stage, strict compliance with the applicable legal requirements is especially important, because errors or missing documents may result in refusal of the license application.
3. Complete the licensing information forms and other documents submitted to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine for the medical practice license.
4. Submit the documents to the Ministry of Health and obtain the license. The document package may be submitted to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in person through the “Single Window” or sent by mail. In practice, where the documents are properly prepared, a positive licensing decision may generally be expected within 10 business days after the Ministry receives the submission.

How Can We Help?

Our company has many years of experience providing legal support for medical practice licensing. We understand the practical details and regulatory changes, which allows us to help clients obtain a license efficiently or determine professionally whether a license is required for their particular services at all.

We provide comprehensive legal support for licensing psychologists’ medical practice, allowing you to focus on your professional work rather than administrative formalities.

Our services include:

• Detailed consultation and analysis of your activities. We review your practice to determine whether it qualifies as medical practice and whether a license is required.

• Individual action plan. We develop a tailored licensing roadmap based on the legal requirements and the specifics of your practice.

• Preparation of the complete document package. We prepare the documents in accordance with the current licensing requirements, including the accessibility requirements for persons with reduced mobility.

• Submission of documents to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. We ensure that the required documents are properly prepared and submitted to the Ministry on time.

• Legal support at every stage. We provide end-to-end support throughout the licensing process, answer your questions, and assist with any issues that arise.

Invest in your professional success. Contact us today for a professional consultation and learn how we can help you obtain the required medical practice license with less administrative burden and the strongest possible chance of a successful application.