The Cyprus Psychologists’ Association has made public a complaint that an external associate at a state school is allegedly providing psychological services to pupils, apparently without the required registration in an approved speciality.
The person appears to be carrying out duties that fall within the remit of a registered psychologist, the association said in a statement. It stressed that the matter is particularly serious when the services are aimed at minors and other vulnerable groups.
When a graduate psychologist carries out duties that belong to a registered psychologist, it “constitutes a breach of the legislation in force”, the association said. This is especially serious when such duties are assigned, provided for or carried out within public services or organisations, it added.
The association explained that the register of graduate psychologists is separate from the register of registered psychologists. Under the law, a graduate psychologist may only teach psychology, carry out research in psychology, and conduct interviews solely to refer people to a registered psychologist.
It called on the authorities to review current practices, clarify the duties assigned to graduate psychologists in public services, and ensure that services which amount to practising as a registered psychologist are provided only by people legally entitled to do so.
The association also raised the question of who is qualified to assess whether police officers are psychologically fit to carry weapons, and whether such assessments are carried out by graduate psychologists, given the seriousness and responsibility involved.
In July 2026, it said, it had stated that psychological assessment and support services for police officers must be provided by professionals on the register of registered psychologists. It had already raised the matter in memoranda to the Minister of Justice and Public Order and to parliament’s Human Rights Committee.
(CNA)
