The Era of Insta-Psychologists in Kazakhstan Has Come to an End: New Law Takes Effect Today

On September 2, Kazakhstan’s new law "On Psychological Activity" officially came into force, marking a major shift in how mental health services are regulated. From now on, individuals without proper registration and a degree in psychology are strictly prohibited from providing psychological assistance or calling themselves a "psychologist."

Under the new regulations, only professionals holding a higher or postgraduate degree in psychology, or an advanced academic degree, are authorized to practice. To enforce this, the government has launched the Mandatory State Register of Psychologists within the Digital Platform of the National Qualifications System. Offering services without being listed in this official register is now illegal.

The legislation obliges psychologists to upgrade their professional qualifications at least once every five years. Furthermore, specialists must now obtain written informed consent from clients (or their legal guardians) before providing any service. The only exceptions are emergency cases involving suicidal behavior, acute crisis situations, or domestic violence. In such instances, consent is not required, and specialists are legally bound to notify state authorities immediately.

Notably, the requirement for mandatory certification of psychologists has been postponed until 2028. Overall, this marks the first time Kazakhstan has brought the psychological services market under complete state oversight, establishing a mechanism to protect consumers from unqualified practitioners and fraudsters.