Singapore to register higher-risk psychology sub-disciplines to strengthen standards: Koh Poh Koon

Singapore will introduce formal registration for five higher-risk sub-disciplines of psychologists to strengthen professional standards and ensure safer care as demand for mental health services continues to rise.

Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Koh Poh Koon announced the move on 5 March 2026 during the Ministry of Health’s Committee of Supply debate in Parliament.

The new framework aims to safeguard professional conduct and improve the quality of psychological services as mental health becomes an increasingly prominent national concern.

Dr Koh said the policy would focus on areas where practitioners deal with complex or sensitive cases requiring stricter oversight.

“We will be registering five higher-risk sub-disciplines of psychologists to ensure high standards of practice, ethics and professional conduct so that our people receive safer and higher quality psychological services,” Dr Koh said.

Five psychology sub-disciplines to be regulated

The registration framework will cover five specialised areas of psychology considered higher risk due to the nature of their clinical responsibilities.

These are clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, counselling psychology, educational psychology and forensic psychology.

The MOH will work with the Singapore Psychological Society and other partner agencies to implement the framework and guide professionals through the registration process.

Public education campaigns will also be introduced to raise awareness about the role of psychologists and the new regulatory requirements.

According to Dr Koh, the detailed registration schedule, requirements and implementation roadmap will be announced by early 2027.

The move is intended to provide clearer safeguards for patients seeking mental health services while strengthening professional accountability within the sector.

Faster pathway for clinical psychologists

Alongside the regulatory changes, Singapore will introduce a new accelerated pathway for clinical psychology training.

Eligible undergraduate students at the National University of Singapore will be able to pursue an accelerated route to specialise in clinical psychology at master’s level.

The programme will begin in 2026 and is designed to strengthen the pipeline of trained mental health professionals.

However, Dr Koh said the initial intake would remain small while the ministry evaluates demand and capacity.

“I would say it is probably very hard to tell at the moment what the overall increase will be,” he said in response to questions from the Workers' Party MP He Ting Ru.

“The initial phase of intake will only be about 10. We will also see what the uptake is from the first rollout of the course.”

Dr Koh added that existing psychologists can already upgrade their qualifications through established pathways, meaning the workforce could continue expanding through multiple routes.

Concerns over regulation and barriers to entry

The announcement came after concerns were raised by Sengkang GRC MP Ms He about the need for clearer regulation of mental health professionals.

During the debate, Ms He urged the Government to set firm timelines for regulating therapists and counsellors, noting that patients require clear avenues for redress if professional standards are breached.

“Clients may not know where to go for help if they have concerns about professional standards or ethics,” she said.

At the same time, Ms He cautioned that entry barriers for new practitioners should not become excessively high.

Training pathways in therapy and counselling often require extensive supervision hours and practicums that can cost more than S$200 per hour, which may be difficult for fresh graduates or mid-career entrants.

She urged the ministry to explore additional support measures, including the potential use of SkillsFuture credits.

Ms He also asked what support would be available to members of the public seeking recourse if they encounter ethical concerns before formal registration rules take effect.

Current guidance for patients seeking services

Responding to the question, Dr Koh said that until a formal register is implemented, the public may check whether a practitioner is affiliated with the Singapore Psychological Society.

The organisation currently serves as the main professional community for psychologists in Singapore.

The society has about 1,700 members, many of whom practise in clinical settings, though Dr Koh noted that exact national figures are unclear due to the absence of a formal registration system.

“We haven’t done our registration of psychologists before this, so we don’t really have an accurate number of how many psychologists there are,” he said.

He added that patients seeking services within public healthcare institutions are already protected by existing governance frameworks and supervision systems.

These arrangements ensure that practitioners working in public hospitals and clinics meet recognised standards.

Expanding mental health support nationwide

The new registration framework forms part of Singapore’s broader strategy to strengthen mental health care across the healthcare system.

Mental health issues gained greater attention during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain a key national policy priority.

Since the launch of the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy in 2023, Singapore has established the National Mental Health Office to coordinate initiatives across government agencies.

Authorities have also expanded service capacity across primary care, community programmes and specialist mental health facilities.

Community outreach programmes have grown significantly, with 71 Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and 26 Community Intervention Teams (COMIT) currently supporting individuals with mental health needs, particularly seniors and people with dementia.

By 2030, the Government plans to expand these programmes to 75 CREST teams and 35 COMIT teams.

Efforts to support youth mental health have also intensified, including community-based programmes and new services aimed at reducing stigma and improving access to care.