India: confusion over psychologist training requirements
The Rehabilitation Council of India has announced changes to its clinical psychology licensing pathway, following the mandated discontinuation of M.Phil programs. RCI will introduce three new programs: PG Diploma, Master of Psychology, and Doctor of Psychology. However, the prerequisite is a 4-year bachelor's degree or a 3-year bachelors followed by a 2-year Masters - creating issues for current Masters graduates who now need to reapply. Also under question is the option of a B.Sc Clinical Psychology when many practicing counseling psychologists and rehabilitation psychologists have completed other programs or at schools offering psychology only in the humanities stream.
There is also contradiction with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, which body would regulate behavioral health sciences professionals with the only exception being clinical psychologists being regulated by RCI.