National requirements Croatia

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• Psychology education

The psychology education in Croatia follows the format of the 3 year BA followed by the 2 year MA. Recognition of university education programmes as meeting EuroPsy requirements is undertaken by a national accreditation authority, of which the judgements are accepted by the NAC.

• Programmes that meet EuroPsy requirements

Recognised programmes exist at the following 5 universities:

• Supervised practice arrangements (for the EuroPsy Certificate)

Before getting accreditation from the Croatian Psychological Chamber each psychologist needs to have one year of supervised practice in one of the applied fields of psychology or in the research of psychology. The supervised practice is organized by Croatian Psychological Chamber. After getting a master’s degree at the university applicants are employed by the organization (school, hospital or any other private or state organization). The mentor for the supervised practice can be any licensed psychologist with at least 5 years of professional experience who is working in the same field of psychology and who is employed at the same or in the other organization. Trainee is keeping record of her/his work under supervision (in the “trainee booklet”). The supervisor is also keeping record of her/his work. After one year’s practice the trainee is required to pass a written exam (legal and ethical aspects of psychological practice) and an oral exam (professional knowledge from the specific field in psychology).

• Arrangements for training of supervisors

There is no organised programme in Croatia for the training of supervisors at the moment. There is a continuing collaborate with the Committee for supervised practice at Croatian Psychology Chamber on the plans for developing the training of supervisors.

• Recognition of title

The title Psychologist is a legally recognized and protected title for all areas of practice.

• License to practice

License or entry in a register is needed for practising psychology

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

According to Psychology Law in Croatia, there are mandatory requirements for CPD which are described in a special Rulebook. To have a legal right for independent practice of psychology, each psychologist needs to collect 120 points (corresponding 200 ECTS) from the last checking. Continuing professional development is organized by Croatian Psychological Chamber, Croatian Psychological Association, universities and other professional organizations. It includes specializations, training in psychotherapy, supervision and mentorship, professional and scientific publications and reviews, workshops and seminars, professional and scientific conferences, doctoral and other postgraduate programs, professional courses, seminars and workshops, professional presentations, participation in competitive research projects etc.).
Revalidation of the license to practice or entry in a register is required after 6 years. In case a psychologist did not collect 120 points, she/he needs to pass an exam in order to check her/his professional competences.
Standards of CPD in Croatia are fully in accordance with the European qualification standards and EuroPsy requirements for revalidation, as well as with International declaration on core competencies in Professional Psychology.