RCI and NCAHP registration for counsellors and psychologists

The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 lists "clinical psychologists" among rehabilitation professionals (section 2). Section 13(2) says no one other than a professional with a recognised qualification who is enrolled in the Central Rehabilitation Register may "practice as rehabilitation professional anywhere in India", and section 13(3) sets a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to one thousand rupees, or both. A 2000 amendment lets doctors and paramedics in fields such as psychiatry, working in government hospitals and funded bodies, carry out these functions without RCI registration.

The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 uses the same line. It defines a clinical psychologist by an RCI-recognised qualification (section 2(1)(g)), and clinical psychologists, mental health nurses and psychiatric social workers registered with a State Mental Health Authority count as "mental health professionals" alongside psychiatrists (sections 2(1)(r) and 55). Counsellors and other psychologists are not mental health professionals under that Act.

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 lists, under behavioural health sciences, "Psychologist (Except Clinical Psychologist covered under RCI for PWD)", behavioural analysts, integrated behaviour health counsellors, health educators and counsellors, social workers including psychiatric social workers, and mental health support workers. Art, dance and movement therapists are in the same category.

• Section 15 says no one other than a registered allied and healthcare professional shall provide service in a recognised category.
• Section 38 lets people already practising when the Act began be provisionally registered, within a period and in a manner to be set by regulations.
• Section 57 fines a person who is not registered and "takes or uses the description" of an allied and healthcare professional: up to one lakh rupees the first time, and up to a year in prison or two lakh rupees after that.

• The Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026 were notified on 31 August 2026 and published in the Gazette on 9 September 2026. Regulation 3(1) says a person "shall be entitled to practice any recognised profession as an allied and healthcare professional after obtaining registration". Registration lasts five years, and renewal needs at least 15 hours of continuing professional development a year.
• Where a State has no State Council, you register with the Central Register. People practising before the Act without a recognised qualification are to get provisional registration, but we found no separate provisional registration regulations yet.
• NCAHP's list of State Councils shows councils notified in most States, including Maharashtra and Karnataka, and none yet in Delhi, Chandigarh, Ladakh or Lakshadweep. A notified council is not proof that it is accepting registrations.
• The national enrolment portal still says "this is data collection. IT IS NOT REGISTRATION". We found no announcement that registration has opened, and no date by which existing psychologists and counsellors must register.

1. If you call yourself a clinical psychologist, make sure your RCI registration is current and show the number to clients.
2. If you are a counselling or other psychologist, or a counsellor, keep your degree certificates and a record of your supervised practice ready, and check that your qualification is in Schedule I of the 2026 regulations.
3. Watch your State Council and the NCAHP website for the date registration opens, and for the provisional registration rules if you lack a listed qualification.
4. Describe yourself accurately in the meantime. Section 57 makes misuse of a registered description an offence once registration applies, and how far it reaches plain words such as "counsellor" or "therapist" has not been tested.

This is not legal advice. Registration rules are changing quickly; check the current position with your State Council or a lawyer.