Clinical Psychologist Requirements In South Africa

The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) recently reported that South Africa suffers a significant shortage of psychologists.  Moreover, in a violent country like South Africa, the dire shortage of psychologists in the public sector is very worrying.

According to Prof Tholene Sodi, PsySSA president-elect and chair of psychology at the University of Limpopo, South Africans are also highly stressed, which creates a need for the qualified expertise that psychology can provide.

A degree in psychology not only opens the door to the mind, but it can also open the door to a successful, rewarding career.  Graduates who have studied psychology can build significant careers in areas where having a grounded knowledge of psychology, an applied skill set and well-developed research and writing skills, are valued.

With a view to helping you get the most out of your education, let’s take a look at the steps to becoming a registered psychologist:

  • In South Africa, a bachelor’s degree in psychology is the first step on the path to being able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in one of the professional psychology categories.
  • You can register with the HPCSA in the following nine categories:
  1. Clinical psychologist
  2. Counselling psychologist
  3. Educational psychologist
  4. Industrial or organisational psychologist
  5. Research psychologist
  6. Neuropsychologist
  7. Forensic psychologist
  8. Registered counsellor
  9. Psychometrist

The minimum requirements for registration with the HPCSA in the first seven categories are as follows:

  • Five years full-time formal education in psychology, i.e. a three-year bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology or its equivalent, plus an honours degree in psychology, plus a directed master’s degree programme in psychology approved by the HPCSA
  • Successful completion of a full-time approved internship of 12 months duration
  • Successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology in the relevant registration category

The minimum requirements for registration with the HPCSA as a registered counsellor are as follows:

  • A -year bachelor of psychology professional degree approved by the HPCSA, including a 720-hour practicum
  • Successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology in the registered counsellor category

The minimum requirements for registration with the HPCSA as a psychometrist are as follows:

  • A four-year bachelor of psychology professional degree approved by the HPCSA
  • An approved six-month/720-hour face-to-face practicum, or an equivalent of not more than 12 months part-time practicum
  • Successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology

Alternatively, the bachelor of psychology professional degree (BPsych) is approved by the HPCSA for the education and training of registered counsellors.  Graduates of this programme will be eligible to sit for the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology in the registered counsellor category in order to register with the HPCSA as registered counsellors. As a four-year NQF8 degree programme, the BPsych has a ”built-in” honours equivalent. Graduates are therefore also able to articulate into a master’s degree programme with a view to becoming a psychologist.

How many years does it take to become a clinical psychologist in South Africa?

1. A first B-degree with psychology as a major subject (3 – 4 years) 2. A postgraduate honours degree in psychology (1-2 years) 3. A professional masters degree in clinical psychology or research psychology (2 years).

How much do clinical psychologists earn in South Africa?

An early career Clinical Psychologist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R310,532 based on 112 salaries. A mid-career Clinical Psychologist with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R449,666 based on 31 salaries.