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The (licensed) psychologist will see you now

Singapore’s push to license psychologists aims to protect patients, but practitioners worry that strict qualification requirements will exacerbate existing service shortages

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Tessa Oh

Tessa Oh

Published Fri, Jul 4, 2025 · 03:00 PM
    • A formalised registration system would primarily serve to protect patients from such abuse, say psychologists.
    • A formalised registration system would primarily serve to protect patients from such abuse, say psychologists. ILLUSTRATION: MARIO MONREAL, BT

    [SINGAPORE] The Republic is set to introduce a national registration framework to regulate psychologists – a move that could mark a turning point for Singapore’s mental health landscape.

    Practitioners say this will protect patients while giving greater legitimacy to mental health issues, even as they await further details. Some have expressed concerns that excessively stringent requirements could exacerbate existing practitioner shortages.

    Currently, psychologists do not have to be licensed in order to practise in Singapore. They may seek professional recognition through the Singapore Psychological Society’s (SPS) register, but this remains optional.

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