Jerusalem, 1 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Despite a national shortage of mental health professionals, immigrant psychologists face bureaucratic obstacles preventing them from practicing, members of the Knesset Health Committee were told on Tuesday. Many face delays of over a year to receive licenses, even if they are highly experienced, and are often required to repeat low-paid internships.
Between 2013-2023, it took an average of six months for an immigrant psychologist to receive an Israeli license, which committee members said was too long.
Committee Chairman MK Yoni Mashriki called on the Health Ministry to streamline its procedures and to use information provided by the Ministry of Immigration.