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New professional title from 1 October 2026

Specialist training under teaching supervision

From 1 October 2026, a new legal title and a new registration process apply to the third phase of psychotherapy training in Austria (§ 17 PThG 2024). What it means for you — and what you actually need to do.

Register for free See the checklist
Background

What changes on 1 October 2026?

The Psychotherapy Act 2024 (PThG 2024, Federal Law Gazette I No. 49/2024) restructures the third phase of training. Anyone meeting the requirements of § 17 para. 1 PThG 2024 — a total of 5,000 hours of cluster- and method-specific theory, psychotherapeutic self-experience, and supervision from the first two training phases — can apply for entry in the professional register (Berufsliste Psychotherapie). This also applies to those completing the psychotherapeutic Fachspezifikum under § 60 para. 7 PThG 2024.

What matters isn't the date you read this page, but the date you personally reach that status: if you reach it by 30 September 2026, your professional association (Fachgesellschaft) reports you to the ministry (BMASGPK) automatically. If you reach it from 1 October 2026 onward, you receive the title "Psychotherapeut:in in Fachausbildung unter Lehrsupervision" — and you must apply for registration yourself, using a form.

Checklist

What you actually need to do

The process depends on when you reach the status — not on today's date.

Status reached by 30 Sep 2026

Automatic reporting

You don't need to apply for anything.

  • No self-application needed — your Fachgesellschaft reports you to the BMASGPK automatically.
  • You continue to hold the title "Psychotherapeut:in in Ausbildung unter Supervision".
  • Still worth doing: check that your website, business cards, directory listings, and invoice templates are up to date.
Status reached from 1 Oct 2026

Self-application required

You need to take action yourself.

  • From 1 October 2026, download the form from the BMASGPK website (Themen → Gesundheit → Medizin- und Gesundheitsberufe → Berufslisten und Gesundheitsberuferegister).
  • Apply for entry in the Berufsliste (Psychotherapie) before using the new title.
  • Practicing with patients without registration isn't permitted — it breaches the PThG 2024's professional reservation and is subject to administrative penalties.
  • After registration: update your website, practice signage, directory listings, and invoice templates.
Regardless of timing: if you interrupt your training, both you and your Fachgesellschaft must report this to the authority (§ 17 para. 4 PThG 2024). Leaving the specialist training results in removal from the Berufsliste (§ 17 para. 5 PThG 2024).
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to do anything immediately if I reach the status before 30 September 2026? ▾

No. Your Fachgesellschaft reports you to the BMASGPK automatically — no application is required from you.

What happens if I work with patients from 1 October 2026 without being registered? ▾

That breaches the professional reservation in the PThG 2024 and can result in administrative penalties.

Where do I find the registration form? ▾

From 1 October 2026, on the BMASGPK website, under professional registers (Berufslisten und Gesundheitsberuferegister).

Is registration under § 17 PThG 2024 the end of it? ▾

No. Afterwards, you still need to complete at least 1,000 hours of psychotherapeutic work under teaching supervision, accompanied by at least 200 hours of teaching supervision at a 1:5 ratio.

Next step

A free profile on Therapeutensuche.at

Set up your profile while you sort out the paperwork — free, no obligation, ready in a few minutes.

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Sources: FAQ on the 3rd training phase of psychotherapy training under PThG 2024, Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs (as of 23 July 2026, PDF) · Psychotherapy Act 2024 (PThG 2024), Federal Law Gazette I No. 49/2024, RIS.

This page is not legal advice. For specific questions, contact your Fachgesellschaft or the BMASGPK.