Iceland Psychology Training Not Up to Nordic Standards

At the same time as there is a shortage of psychologists in Iceland, newly-qualified psychologists are not being issued licenses to practice because the necessary on-the-job training is not offered on psychology courses in the country, according to RUV Iceland.

The training on offer in Iceland does not currently meet the standards required in the other Nordic countries.

The head of the National Association of Psychologists, Tryggvi Guðjón Ingason, says that various suggestions have been made on how to provide practical training.

The 2012 rules on licenses to practice for psychologists calls for practical training during master’s level study. Such training is, however, not available and newly-graduated psychology students are now not receiving licenses as a result. 

The consequences are already being felt, as healthcare workers who used to automatically receive licenses in the Nordic countries no longer receive such licenses.