PF-accredited psychologist in Brazil: requirements and step by step

To carry out the psychological assessment of people who want to own or carry a firearm, a psychologist must be accredited by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal, PF). It requires at least 2 years in practice, active registration with the Regional Council of Psychology (Conselho Regional de Psicologia, CRP), a suitable office and clean record certificates. Accreditation is free, is issued within up to 90 days and is valid for 4 years, according to the official service page on gov.br.

Note: the rules below come from PF Normative Instruction No. 78-DG/DPF/2014 (IN 78), which the PF listed as the rule for this service on October 19, 2026, and from the official gov.br page. This text is for information only and does not replace guidance from the PF or your Regional Council.

Which rule governs psychologist accreditation with the PF?

Normative Instruction No. 78-DG/DPF of February 10, 2014. It is the rule cited on the official service page, updated by the PF on July 24, 2026.

IN 78 was issued when Decree 5.123/2004 (Decreto 5.123/2004) was in force, and it cites that decree. Today, Law 10.826/2003 (Lei 10.826/2003, the Disarmament Statute) is regulated by Decree 11.615/2023 (Decreto 11.615/2023), but the PF still lists IN 78 as the accreditation rule.

On the professional side, CFP Resolution No. 01/2022, from the Federal Council of Psychology (Conselho Federal de Psicologia, CFP), also applies to the assessment for firearm registration and carry permits.

Who can apply for accreditation?

Psychologists with at least 2 years of actual practice in the profession, according to the official page and art. 9, VI, of IN 78.

Which documents does the PF require?

Under art. 9 of IN 78 and the official service page:

• completed and signed application form;
• ID and CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number), and a recent 3x4 photo;
• proof of active CRP registration and a certificate of no ethical violations;
• floor plan or sketch and photos of the room and furniture;
• operating permit and health inspection permit for the premises;
• proof of 2 years of practice in the profession;
• certificate of competence to administer the psychological instruments listed in art. 5 of IN 78;
• criminal record certificates from the Federal, State, Military and Electoral Courts;
• a statement that you are not under police investigation or criminal prosecution.

Under IN 78, the following do not prevent accreditation, for example: prosecution for a negligent (non-intentional) crime, a conviction with criminal rehabilitation or with the sentence served more than 5 years ago, and a plea agreement (transação penal).

What must the office be like?

Art. 7 of IN 78 requires, at a minimum, a waiting room, a test room and a bathroom. The test room must have:

Tests may only be given at the location authorized by the PF (art. 8). To work elsewhere, a specific authorization is needed.

What is the accreditation process, step by step?

1. Gather the documents and prepare the photos and the office floor plan.
2. Go to a PF unit and file the application in person. The official page estimates up to 30 minutes of service.
3. Wait for the document review, expected within up to 30 business days.
4. Receive the inspection, if the PF decides to visit the premises. This stage also has an expected time of up to 30 business days.
5. Follow the decision. The total time estimated by the PF is up to 90 calendar days.

The service is free, according to the official page.

How long is it valid and how do I renew?

Accreditation is personal and non-transferable and valid for 4 years, renewable for the same period by meeting the requirements of art. 9 again (art. 10 of IN 78).

What are the duties of an accredited psychologist?

• Price cap: do not charge above the average of the CFP table, under art. 11-A, § 1, of Law 10.826 and art. 6 of IN 78. In the CFP fee table in force from July 1, 2025, the average is R$ 697.22 (Brazilian reais).
• Report: conclude only "FIT or UNFIT", without citing the instruments used or the personality characteristics measured (art. 2, § 3).
• Unfitness: send a copy of the report in a sealed envelope to the PF unit (art. 2, § 4).
• Records: keep a record of the people assessed, the instruments and the reports for the period required by the CFP (art. 12).
• No conflict of interest: under CFP Resolution No. 01/2022, do not assess a spouse or relative, and do not work while having ties to a shooting club, training school, security guard training center or private security company.

What leads to loss of accreditation?

Art. 11 of IN 78 lists, among other cases:

• working at a location not authorized by the PF;
• shortening tests beyond what the manuals allow or using copies;
• using tests not approved by the CFP;
• violating the Psychologist's Professional Code of Ethics;
• using the PF emblem without authorization;
• charging above the legal cap (art. 11-A, § 3, of Law 10.826).

A psychologist who loses accreditation may only apply again after 1 year (art. 11, § 4).

Next step

Check whether your office meets the requirements of art. 7 of IN 78 before applying for accreditation. See also the site's professionals directory. See what candidates need to know in psychological assessment for a firearm and the summary in the psychologist accreditation guide.