Accreditation of Practicing (Service-Providing) Psychologists by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO
Certain types of psychological practice involve providing individual and group services to beneficiaries—such as visitors, patients, and clients—who experience mental health or psychological problems. These services may include psychotherapy, psychological counselling, psychological correction, and psychological assessment.
The first stage of psychologist accreditation makes it possible to:
- Establish a unified database of accredited psychologists, enabling beneficiaries to use a platform developed on the basis of this database and select a psychologist whose professional credentials and quality of practice have been verified by the Union.
- In the event of a problematic situation involving a psychologist, individuals may contact the Union to receive support and consultation.
- Where necessary, endorse accredited psychologists to various government institutions for the provision of professional services.
Requirements for the accreditation procedure for practicing psychologists during the first stage:
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Organisation of courses endorsed and/or accredited by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia, including courses awarded Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia.
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Within the accreditation framework, mandatory instruction will be required in: (a) the ethical principles governing psychologists and (b) the professional practice of psychology.
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Organisation of supervised practice under the guidance of a supervisor (an experienced professional).
Starting from the second stage, documents confirming participation in activities accredited for credit by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia will be required.
Calculation of Credits Awarded by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia:
- The Psychologists' Union of Armenia credit was established under the internal regulations of the “Psychologists' Union of Armenia” professional non-governmental organisation as a unit for assessing the professional qualifications of practising psychologists.
- One credit awarded by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia is defined as an average of 10 hours of scientific and practical work.
Activities eligible for credits from the Psychologists' Union of Armenia are as follows, by credit value:
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10 hours = 1 credit
Participation in a Training Course -
1 credit
Participation in a Professional Development Event (Seminar, Conference, or Experience-Sharing Meeting) -
5 CPD credits = 1 Psychologists' Union of Armenia credit
Continuing Professional Development -
5 credits
Involvement in an Applied Research Project -
10 credits
Internationally Recognised Professional Qualification -
3 credits
Publication in a Reputable Scientific Journal -
5 credits
Publication of a Methodological Manual -
2 credits
Work with Trainees -
1 credit
Organisational Involvement in an Event of the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO - An award granted by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO for contributions to the development of psychological practice in Armenia, based on a decision by the organisation’s special commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. The accreditation process is intended to ensure and improve the quality of psychological practice in Armenia, as well as to identify related challenges.
2. Accreditation neither expands nor restricts a psychologist’s right to engage in professional practice.
3. By granting accreditation, the Psychologists' Union of Armenia confirms and endorses the professional competence of practising psychologists and includes them in its database of professionals.
4. Through accreditation, the Psychologists' Union of Armenia:
a) requires practising psychologists to provide high-quality services;
b) protects their right to professional practice;
c) provides consultative support aimed at improving professional competence; and
d) reviews feedback from their clients.
2. Accreditation neither expands nor restricts a psychologist’s right to engage in professional practice.
3. By granting accreditation, the Psychologists' Union of Armenia confirms and endorses the professional competence of practising psychologists and includes them in its database of professionals.
4. Through accreditation, the Psychologists' Union of Armenia:
a) requires practising psychologists to provide high-quality services;
b) protects their right to professional practice;
c) provides consultative support aimed at improving professional competence; and
d) reviews feedback from their clients.
No, it is not mandatory. Accreditation is intended for practising psychologists and is undertaken voluntarily.
Psychologists who provide psychological services or engage in practical psychological work in the Republic of Armenia may apply for accreditation.
An accredited psychologist is recognised and endorsed by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia as a qualified practising professional.
Accredited psychologists are included in the PUA NGO database of practising psychologists, which provides public visibility and offers opportunities to participate in the organisation’s projects.
Accredited psychologists are included in the PUA NGO database of practising psychologists, which provides public visibility and offers opportunities to participate in the organisation’s projects.
No fee is charged for accreditation.
For applications submitted during the first stage, please refer to the announcement.
For subsequent applications, documents confirming participation in activities credited by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia will be required.
For subsequent applications, documents confirming participation in activities credited by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia will be required.
1. Participation in a training course — 10 hours = 1 credit.
2. Participation in a professional development event (seminar, conference, or experience-sharing meeting) — 1 credit.
3. Continuing professional development — 5 CPD credits = 1 PUA credit.
4. Involvement in an applied research project — 5 credits.
5. An internationally recognised professional qualification — 10 credits.
6. Publication in a reputable scientific journal — 3 credits.
7. Publication of a methodological manual — 5 credits.
8. Work with trainees — 2 credits.
9. Organisational involvement in an event of the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO — 1 credit.
10. An award granted by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO for contributions to the development of psychological practice in Armenia, based on a decision by the organisation’s special commission.
2. Participation in a professional development event (seminar, conference, or experience-sharing meeting) — 1 credit.
3. Continuing professional development — 5 CPD credits = 1 PUA credit.
4. Involvement in an applied research project — 5 credits.
5. An internationally recognised professional qualification — 10 credits.
6. Publication in a reputable scientific journal — 3 credits.
7. Publication of a methodological manual — 5 credits.
8. Work with trainees — 2 credits.
9. Organisational involvement in an event of the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO — 1 credit.
10. An award granted by the Psychologists' Union of Armenia NGO for contributions to the development of psychological practice in Armenia, based on a decision by the organisation’s special commission.
The PUA credit was established under the internal regulations of the “Psychologists' Union of Armenia” professional non-governmental organisation as a unit for assessing the professional qualifications of practising psychologists.
One PUA credit is equivalent to an average of 10 hours of scientific and practical work.
One PUA credit is equivalent to an average of 10 hours of scientific and practical work.
The accreditation is granted for a period of five years.
It may be renewed, provided that the requirements of the Psychologists' Union of Armenia are met during the five-year period and at least 30 PUA credits are accumulated when applying for renewal.
The accreditation may be revoked before its expiry in cases of serious violations of professional and/or ethical standards by the psychologist, based on a decision of the organisation’s special commission, or at the request of the accredited professional.
It may be renewed, provided that the requirements of the Psychologists' Union of Armenia are met during the five-year period and at least 30 PUA credits are accumulated when applying for renewal.
The accreditation may be revoked before its expiry in cases of serious violations of professional and/or ethical standards by the psychologist, based on a decision of the organisation’s special commission, or at the request of the accredited professional.
The application may be rejected:
a) if the applicant does not possess the required professional qualifications or if the submitted documents do not meet the established requirements;
b) on the basis of substantiated concerns raised by representatives of the professional community, subject to a decision by the organisation’s special commission.
a) if the applicant does not possess the required professional qualifications or if the submitted documents do not meet the established requirements;
b) on the basis of substantiated concerns raised by representatives of the professional community, subject to a decision by the organisation’s special commission.