1st version Psychologist: conditions of access and exercise in France
Verified 25 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Directorate-General for companies, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
- Regulated Therapeutic Consultation Profession
- Liberal activity
- EPA Code : 86.90F/ European Code :?
- Social contributions : Urssaf
- Retirement : Cipav
- Health insurance : CPAM
Definition
The profession of psychologist is an activity of consultations for therapeutic purposes. This is a occupation regulated managed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
The psychologist has a university education.
The psychologist listening, observes and accompany individuals suffering from mental disorders. It identifies their needs and proposes appropriate remedial actions. Its goal is to promote the well-being and autonomy of its patients.
He treats mental suffering in a wide variety of social and socio-professional situations.
Its observations and support are carried out duringone-on-one interviews or collectives (as a couple or family, for example). It can use testing psychological. He follows the evolution of his patients with regular support.
He formulates diagnoses Psychopathological disorders and psychological assessment.
They may be required to perform training and participate in research.
The psychologist who practices in the Liberal cabinet is generally not in agreement. This means that the care he provides in the office is not reimbursed by social security. Under some CPAM arrangements, however, liberal psychologists who wish to do so can apply for a contract; their fees are then either reimbursed (My Psych Support), or free of charge (Student shrink health).
Access
Access to the profession of psychologist requires university degrees.
These conditions differ according to whether the student or the professional is a national of France or a European State (from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland). The conditions are the same for the European who wishes to practice occasionally or permanently.
A third-country national (outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland) may not apply for authorization to practice (permanently or occasionally) the profession of psychologist in France, unless he has professional experience in an EU or EEA country.
The usurpation of the title of psychologist, that is to say its use without having been authorized there in France is punishable by a fine of 15,000 € and a penalty of one year of imprisonment.
National of France
To be eligible to use the title of psychologist in France, you must meet the following 2 conditions:
- Obtain 2 university degrees (bachelor and master's degree in psychology)
- Register at RPPS: titleContent
Obtaining 2 diplomas
The professional who wishes to use the title of psychologist must hold the 2 following diplomas :
- Bachelor of Psychology (3 years of study)
- Master of Psychology (2 years of study) with a minimum of 500 hours internship
The exact list of degrees is available below:
- Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology plus one of the following degrees:
- Either a graduate diploma in psychology
- Or a diploma of in-depth studies in psychology including a professional internship, the terms of which are fixed by order of the Minister responsible for higher education.
- Or one of the diplomas whose the list is annexed to decree no. 90-255 of 22 march 1990
- Bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in psychology, including a professional internship, the terms of which are fixed by order of the Minister responsible for higher education
- Bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in psychology including a professional internship, the terms of which are fixed by order of the Minister responsible for higher education
- Bachelor's degree in psychology obtained in accordance with the regulations prior to the application of Decree No. 66-412 of 22 June 1966 on the organization of the first two cycles of teaching in the Faculties of Humanities and Humanities and in addition the obtaining of one of the diplomas mentioned above
- Foreigners diplomas recognized as equivalent to French diplomas recognized by the Minister responsible for higher education after consulting a committee whose composition is fixed by order of that Minister.
- State Diploma in School Psychology
- Diploma in labor psychology awarded by the National Conservatory of Arts and Trades (Cnam)
- Diploma of psychologist awarded by the School of Practical Psychologists of the Catholic Institute of Paris
- State Diploma of Counselor - Psychologist
These diplomas are awarded by French universities.
It is appropriate for the person wishing to follow his studies to get closer to the university of his choice.
The cost of study is specific to the public higher education and the university chosen.
Please note
The PhD in psychology is not one of the diplomas allowing the use of the title of psychologist.
Registration in the Shared Health Professional Directory (SPPD)
Anyone who fulfills the condition of diplomas must register at the RPPS: titleContent before starting to practice.
The RPPS number replaces the old Adeli number.
The procedure is free of charge.
FYI
Professionals registered before 2022 had to register with the Adeli Directory. Since 3 June 2024, Adeli numbers have been switched to the RPPS directory. A table of correspondence between the two directories will be made available, making it possible to put each RPPS number in front of the last ADELI number known by the trader.
Registration to the RPPS is done either via the following online service:
eRPPS Registration Portal (RPPS Registration Number) for Healthcare Professionals
or by completing the following form:
Register for the Shared Directory of Health Care Professionals (HPPR)
EU national (or EEA or Switzerland)
Any national of an EU, (or EEA or Swiss) country who wishes to use the title of psychologist in France must apply for a equivalence of diplomas with a Commission Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Conditions for applying for equivalence of diplomas
The European national must therefore complete the 2 conditions following:
- Demonstrate a minimum of 3 years of study in psychology in one of these countries
- Hold a diploma, qualification or qualification obtained in one of these countries.
FYI
There is no list of countries whose diplomas would be automatically recognized in France, nor is there a list of diplomas recognized automatically. Passage through the Commission is in any case obligatory. It shall examine the files in the case by case.
Procedure for applying for equivalence of qualifications and diplomas
The request is made to the Commission responsible for examining foreigners diplomas with a view to equivalence.
The applicant must complete a form and one picture on-line and then send them by email to the Commission.
He receives in return an email with a link that allows him to deposit online the attachments to his file.
The form to be completed online and then scanned is as follows:
The table to be completed online is as follows:
It is not necessary to print and then scan the table to send it, it can be attached directly as an attachment or in the body of the mail.
The form and table must be sent to the following email address :
Who shall I contact
Commission responsible for the recognition of foreigners diplomas with a view to using the title of psychologist in France
Email address: commissionpsy@collaboratif-dne.fr
Telephone: 01 55 55 55 10. Monday from 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 12pm.
Please note, however, that the individuals who respond to this address and number are only responsible for the admissibility review of the files. They are neither psychologists nor psychology research teachers and therefore cannot answer questions about the content of psychology training or advise students while they are studying.
The applicant receives a receipt by email that contains an online link with a duration of use of 30 days.
By following this online link, the applicant must file each document (document) in the file after numbering it, in the order indicated on the last page of the filing procedure.
The procedure for filing of documents to be attached to the file is as follows:
The documents to be attached shall be accompanied by their translation in the French language established by translator sworn.
FYI
If the European national has obtained his diploma, or one of its diplomas, in a third State (outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland), he must prove that he has practiced during minimum 3 years the profession of psychologist in one of the European countries (EU, EEA or Switzerland).
The Commission’s reply to the request for recognition
The Commission's reply is sent to the applicant by e-mail.
The response time is not predefined. The Commission examines the files in their order of arrival. However, if the Commission has not replied within four months, the request may be considered rejected.
In the case where the foreigners diplomas have differences or if the rules governing the exercise of the profession are very different from those in France, the Commission may require the applicant to follow a adaptation period or a aptitude test in order to validate the recognition of the diploma or title.
To complete this internship or test, the applicant must complete a registration form and get closer to theuniversity of his choice.
Registration form for the aptitude test or the adaptation period
The aptitude tests are written and oral, with practical exercises. The internship is supervised by a professional who validates or not his follow-up.
The Ministry of Higher Education website lists frequently asked questions (FAQ) all situations in which the applicant may be present. He brings some accurate and practical responses in each case.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the recognition of foreigners diploma for the use of the title of psychologist in France
Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Pour en savoir plus
Remedy available in case of a negative reply from the Commission
The applicant may, within 2 months from the date of notification of the decision, or to appeal graceful to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, to The Head of the Department of Master's and Doctoral Trainingor to lodge an appeal dispute in front of administrative tribunal the place of his residence.
An ex gratia appeal is a letter presenting the applicant's arguments for a review of the decision, supported, where appropriate, by numbered supporting documents, attached to his application. It should only send elements necessary for its demonstration, knowing that the commission takes into account only validated and attested elements. They must not send documents already provided in their file.
Who shall I contact
A European citizen may use the Solvit online service if he or she considers that his or her rights have not been respected:
Registration with the RPPS
Where the Commission sends the applicant a positive response upon recognition of a diploma, the latter must register at the RPPS: titleContent. Registration must be made front the exercise of the profession.
The procedure is free of charge.
Registration to the RPPS is done either via the following online service:
eRPPS Registration Portal (RPPS Registration Number) for Healthcare Professionals
or by completing the following form:
Register for the Shared Directory of Health Care Professionals (HPPR)
After this registration, he can start practicing in France with the title of psychologist.
Exercise
The profession of psychologist as an independent liberal activity can be exercised in one of the following legal forms:
- Individual business VID (EI) : the trader is self-employed and is subject to income tax (IR). He may benefit from the micro-company scheme if he complies with the turnover threshold conditions (micro-tax system and micro-social scheme). The trader must not exceed the annual threshold of €77,700 of total CA.
- Business : the professional can set up his business and choose to practice alone or with associates. Creating an exercise business optimizes the tax burden by providing different options for allocating revenue among partners. Options can reduce income tax (IR) or business tax (SI) and payroll taxes.
The business of liberal practice (SEL) allows liberal professions to carry out their activities within the framework of a business. It takes the form of a commercial business.
If he wishes to practice in business, the trader may choose one of the following types of business:
- Simplified liberal share business (SELAS) or Single-person simplified liberal share business (SELASU)
- Anonymous Liberal business (SELAFA)
- Business of Liberal Limited Liability (SELARL) or business of Liberal Limited Liability (SELARLU)
- Liberal limited partnership business (SELCA)
FYI
The psychologist may also practice as a salaried worker of a structure or civil servant (e.g. hospital civil service). The combination of these statuses (liberal, employee, civil servant) is possible with respect for probity and independence as defined in the professional ethics. Of restrictions apply to public servants.
The psychologist can be accompanied to be advised in his choices (status, registration, market study, etc.) by a House of liberal professions.
House of liberal professions: support for the launch of a liberal activity
News Enterprise
Pour en savoir plus
Geographical area
The psychologist can freely choose the geographical area where he wishes to practice his profession.
No restrictions or incentives to install in certain areas are applied.
The trader may carry out his consultations either by in person (physical presence of accompanied persons), or distance (via video interview). If the consultations take place within the agreed framework of the My Psy Journey ' or ' Student shrink health the first appointment must be made in the person's physical presence.
Please note
Any consultation by videotransmission or in person must take place in a place where confidentiality exchanges between the psychologist and his patient. The place and conditions must be such as to ensure securing data transmitted (confidentiality, protection of personal data, etc.).
Exercise room
The liberal activity may be exercised in a dwelling room. It may be the psychologist's primary residence or an independent office. Before doing so, it must be verified that the lease of a dwelling and the ownership rules do not prohibit the exercise of an activity.
Psychologist activity involves receiving patients. You also need to get a assignment change authorization office with the mayor in the cities of more than 200,000 inhabitants, in Paris, as well as in the municipalities of the little crown of Paris.
The activity may also be carried out in office space :
- Business premises or mixed-use premises (i.e. residential and business premises)
- Commercial premises: allows you to benefit from the advantages of the commercial lease, in particular: 9-year lease term, right to renewal at the end of the lease
- Subletting of premises already occupied by another trader
CPR insurance is mandatory for active psychologists.
It covers personal injury, material and non-material damage caused to third parties (mainly patients) in the course of their professional activity.
Example :
The psychologist drops an object on a patient's foot and injures the patient. Or it drops the patient's smartphone and makes it unusable. Or the loss of a medical record.
Registration must be done online on the website of the company Formalities Office in the 8 days after start of activity :
Warning
In order to receive EPA code corresponding to the activity of psychologist (86.90F), should be indicated in the field " nature of the activity’ the following words: "Therapeutic consultation activity ”. If the trader receives an incorrect APE code, he can request his change via the Insee's free online service.
Psychologists are generally not contracted by the CPAM. This means that their care is not reimbursed by social security.
However, within the restricted framework of CPAM special arrangements (My Psych Support and Student shrink health) a liberal psychologist may choose the agreement.
FYI
Only liberal psychologists or employees of a coordinated exercise facility (multi-professional nursing home or health center) can choose to participate in a contracted arrangement, or part-time employees with a liberal activity.
The psychologist must make the request to the CPAM of his exercise department.
If the liberal psychologist wants to, he can take out insurance in case ofaccident at work Occupational disease (AT/MP).
Self-employed: application for individual voluntary insurance AT/MP
Learn more on the social protection of liberal professionals: Social protection for the liberal professional
The combination of several ancillary activities in addition to a psychologist activity is possible. This cumulation must be carried out in compliance with the professional secrecy, probity and integrityindependence from the professional. For example, the psychologist cannot accompany a person who is already personally connected to him or her to a consultation. He cannot use his profession to promote another lucrative activity (coaching or naturopathy for example).
The psychologist must follow professional ethics.
The professional secrecy, the confidentiality consultations and securing data The personal data apply in law to the psychologist by virtue of his health profession.
With respect to other ethical aspects, the National Union of Psychologists has drafted an ethical code. It allows you to give a common ethical framework to the profession.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Commission responsible for the recognition of foreigners diplomas with a view to using the title of psychologist in France
Email address: commissionpsy@collaboratif-dne.fr
Telephone: 01 55 55 55 10. Monday from 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 12pm.
Please note, however, that the individuals who respond to this address and number are only responsible for the admissibility review of the files. They are neither psychologists nor psychology research teachers and therefore cannot answer questions about the content of psychology training or advise students while they are studying.
Usurpation of a regulated professional title
Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Ministry of Health
Court of Cassation
National Union of Psychologists