# Law No. 4119 of August 27, 1962

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648287](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648287)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4119-of-august-27-1962

## Summary
Law No. 4119 of August 27, 1962 is a Brazilian statute that provides for the formation of psychology courses and regulates the professional practice of psychology in Brazil. Promulgated by President João Goulart, it serves as the legal foundation for the profession and establishes the necessary legal norms and devices for higher education in the field. The law applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil and is formally cited as Lei nº 4119/1962.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 4119, de 27 de agosto de 1962.
- **Classification:** Instance of a statute (formal written document that creates law).
- **Date of Publication:** August 27, 1962.
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Signatory:** João Goulart (President, 1962).
- **Primary Function:** Provides for psychology training courses ("Cursos de Formação em Psicologia") and regulates the profession of psychologist ("Regulamenta a Profissão de Psicólogo").
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4119/1962.
- **Identifier:** LexML Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-08-27;4119`.
- **Subjects Covered:** Regulation, Professional Practice, Legal Devices, Legal Norms, Higher Education.
- **Official Source:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4119.htm`.

## FAQs
**What is the main purpose of Law No. 4119/1962?**
The law establishes the legal framework for psychology education and professional practice in Brazil. It specifically mandates the formation of psychology courses and sets the regulations for practicing the profession.

**Who signed Law No. 4119 into effect?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President João Goulart on August 27, 1962.

**Where is the official text of the law accessible?**
The full text is available in Brazilian Portuguese on the official government website of the Presidency of the Republic at the Planalto government portal.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4119 of August 27, 1962, is a pivotal piece of legislation in the history of Brazilian health and education. By formally regulating the profession of psychologist and establishing standards for higher education courses in psychology, it provided legal certainty and professional status to the field. As a statute, it functions as a manifestation of statutory law, creating binding legal norms that govern professional conduct and academic requirements. This law ensures that the practice of psychology is standardized under federal jurisdiction, protecting both practitioners and the public by defining the scope and requirements of the profession.

## Notable For
- **Regulating Psychology:** Establishing the legal requirements for the profession of psychologist in Brazil.
- **Educational Standards:** Setting the groundwork for higher education curriculum in psychology ("Cursos de Formação em Psicologia").
- **Historical Context:** Being enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, a period significant for its political developments leading up to the 1964 military coup.
- **Legal Classification:** Serving as a specific example of a "statute"—a formal written document that creates law within the Brazilian legal system.

## Body

### Legislative Definition and Scope
Law No. 4119, enacted on August 27, 1962, is a statute formally titled "Lei nº 4119, de 27 de agosto de 1962." As an instance of a statute, it is a formal written document intended to create law, acting as a manifestation of statutory law within Brazil. The law's primary objective, as stated in its digest, is to "provide for the formation courses in psychology and regulate the profession of psychologist" (*DISPÕE SOBRE OS CURSOS DE FORMAÇÃO EM PSICOLOGIA E REGULAMENTA A PROFISSÃO DE PSICOLOGO*).

It encompasses several key legal concepts:
- **Regulation (*Regulamentação*):** The act of creating rules for the profession.
- **Professional Practice (*Exercicio Profissional*):** Governing how psychologists operate.
- **Higher Education (*Curso Superior*):** Defining the academic path required for the profession.
- **Legal Norms (*Normas*):** The binding rules established by the text.
- **Legal Devices (*Dispositivos*):** The specific articles and clauses within the law.

### Enactment and Authority
The statute was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. It was promulgated by **João Goulart**, who served as President at the time. The publication date was August 27, 1962, and the place of publication was **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil (which had been established as the capital in 1960).

### Jurisdiction and Language
This law applies to the entire jurisdiction of **Brazil**. The text is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of the country. As a federal law, it supersedes local or state regulations regarding the professional practice of psychology and the operation of related higher education courses.

### Identification and Access
The law is cataloged under the **LexML Brazil ID** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-08-27;4119`. It is legally cited as **Lei nº 4119/1962**. For public access, the work is available at the official government URL: `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4119.htm`. It is included in the "WikiProject Brazilian Laws," indicating its relevance in structured knowledge projects regarding Brazilian legislation.

### Context as a Statute
In the broader context of legal theory, Law No. 4119 is a "statute." This classification means it is a formal written document that creates law, distinct from general legal concepts but part of the broader system of "legal acts." Statutes in Brazil, like this one, are the result of the legislative process and serve as the official record of the legal rules enacted by the government. They are generally considered public domain documents, ensuring public access to the laws that govern society.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1962-08-27;4119)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4119&ano=1962&data=27/08/1962&ato=72eEzY61kMVRVT56e)
3. LexML Brasil