About EuroPsy
European Standard of Psychology
EuroPsy, the European Standard in Psychology set by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations AISBL (EFPA), aims to:
- Protect consumers and citizens in Europe through the assurance of quality and against unqualified providers of services
- Promote the availability of psychological services from a competent and qualified professional across Europe for every citizen and any institution
- Set common minimum education, training and competence standards for psychologists in all the countries across Europe
- Contribute to mechanisms to promote the professional mobility of qualified psychologists
The EuroPsy standards are detailed in the EuroPsy Regulations.
These Regulations describe the EFPA framework of competences, which define the functional and foundational competences that professional psychologists should develop and demonstrate before being admitted to independent practice. These competences relate to aspects of the process by which psychologists render services to their clients.
Although some knowledge and skills are general in their applicability, many are context related. The following main fields of practice are also defined in the EuroPsy Regulations: Clinical & Health; Education; Work & Organisations; Sport and Community & Social Intervention.
The EuroPsy Regulations explain in detail the minimum requirements for psychologists’ education, training, and competence across Europe, including:
- a nationally accredited academic curriculum in psychology with a standard duration of at least five years of full-time study (300 ECTS)
- followed by a one-year (1,500 hours; 60 ECTS) period of professional practice under supervision
- Psychologists’ adherence to national ethical standards
- commitment to continuously develop professional competence
(For more information, read Appendix I)
For advanced or specialist practice, the Regulations specify additional requirements, including:
- at least three years (4,500 hours) of professional experience in the relevant field
- theoretical and applied training
- specialist practice under supervision
- commitment to continuously develop professional competence
- further specific criteria apply in particular areas of specialisation, such as: Psychotherapy, Work and Organisational Psychology, Sport Psychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology, as described in the EuroPsy Regulations
(For more information, read Appendix II)
Supervised Practice and Continuing Professional Development
Supervised Practice and Continuing Professional Development are core aspects of EuroPsy that are covered in the EuroPsy Regulations (read Appendix III and Appendix IV). You can read here pointers of good practice that can be used as guidance to help put into practice what is in the Regulations themselves.
EuroPsy Regulations enable the enhancement of national standards (without replacing national licensing) and outline the criteria and mechanisms for those EFPA Full Member interested in issuing EuroPsy certifications
Certificates
The EuroPsy Certificate and EuroPsy Specialist Certificates can be awarded to individual psychologists who meet the conditions specified in EuroPsy Regulations.
European Federation of Psychologists’Associations AISBL