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Regulatory Update
Regulations defining the scope of the profession of psychology (amendment)
05-08-2011
A
Main & sub-category
Medical and related professions – scope of psychology profession – regulations
B
Nutshell
The Department of Health published amendments to the regulations defining the scope of the profession of
psychology. The amendment sets out additional parameters for registered counsellors, psychometrists,
clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, educational psychologists, research psychologists, industrial
psychologists, neuro-psychologists, and forensic psychologists. The amendments may affect activities in an
organisation’s Human Resources department.
C
Affected areas
Medical schemes; HR
D
Regulatory source
Notice 704 Gov Gazette 34581 of 2 September 2011
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Executive Summary
1) The Department of Health published amendments to the regulations defining the scope of the profession of psychology. The
amendment sets out additional parameters for registered counsellors, psychometrists, clinical psychologists, counselling
psychologists, educational psychologists, research psychologists, industrial psychologists, neuro-psychologists, and forensic
psychology.
2) In addition to the scope prescribed in the regulations, the various professions following acts also fall within their scope:
a) Registered counsellors: psychological screening, certain types of psychological assessment; routine psychological interventions,
and referring clients requiring more advanced assessments to appropriate professionals. [see regulation (reg) 1 for complete list]
b) Psychometrists: performing assessments, measuring psychological functions and referring clients requiring more advanced
assessments to appropriate professionals. [see regulation 2 for complete list]
c) Clinical psychologist: assessing, diagnosing, and intervening in clients dealing with life challenges. [see regulation 3 for complete list]
d) Counselling psychologist: assessing, diagnosing, and intervening in clients dealing with life challenges, and identifying
psychopathology. [see regulation 4 for complete list]
e) Educational psychologist: assessing, diagnosing, and intervening in order to optimise human functioning in the learning and
development, identifying, and diagnosing psychopathology in relation to the learning and development. [see regulation 5 for complete list]
f) Research psychologist [see regulation 6 for complete list]
g) Industrial psychologist: performing psychometric, and other assessments, and facilitating individual, and group processes for
effective organisational functioning. [see regulation 7 for complete list]
h) Neuro-psychologist: assessing, diagnosing, and intervening in the psychological disorders of people experiencing
i)
neuropathology or compromised functioning of the central nervous system. [see regulation 8 for complete list]
Forensic psychologist: conducting psychological assessments, and referring clients requiring more advanced assessments to
appropriate professionals, and providing therapeutic interventions. [see regulation 9 for complete list]
F
Suggestion / comment
N/a
G
Effective dates
2 September 2011
H
Regulatory body
Department of Health