Online psychological assessment has gone from the exception to the standard in many practices. But between liberalised psychometric tests and those that require a publisher's licence, there are legal and technical nuances worth understanding before sending a questionnaire to the patient.
This guide covers which psychometric tests can be applied online in Spain in 2026, the most-used platforms, how to store results with GDPR and the mistakes that can void a report.
Which tests can be run online and which can't
- Self-administered questionnaires (BDI-II, BAI, GAD-7, PHQ-9, DASS-21): perfectly fine online.
- Personality inventories (NEO-PI-3, MMPI-3): online if the publisher allows it via their official platform.
- Individual intelligence tests (WAIS-IV, WISC-V): NOT self-administered online; they require in-person administration or, at most, supervised tele-presence with the publisher's platform.
- Projective tests (Rorschach, TAT): not online by their nature.
Publishers and official platforms
- TEA Ediciones (e-TEA): the most-used platform in Spain. Broad catalogue (BDI, NEO, 16PF, BFQ-NA…).
- Pearson Q-global / Q-interactive: WAIS, WISC, MMPI, Vineland.
- Hogrefe HTS: European tests (PHQ, GAD, BSI).
- Giunti Psychometrics: NEO in Italian and Spanish.
Buying single uses vs annual subscription: depends on your volume. Below 30 applications/month, single uses are usually cheaper.
Tests without a licence: when you can (and when you can't)
Some questionnaires are in the public domain or under permissive licences (PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT, DASS-21). Others look free but aren't (BDI-II is licensed).
Before uploading a PDF to your site, verify the licence. Distributing copyrighted tests without permission is infringement and, in expert reports, voids the report.
GDPR and storing responses
- Test responses are health data (special category under GDPR).
- Encryption at rest and in transit.
- Retention of 5 years since the last intervention (LOPDGDD criterion for clinical history).
- If you use the publisher's platform, sign the data-processor agreement.
- Attach the result to the patient's file in your digital clinical history.
How to bill psychological assessment
- As a healthcare service (VAT-exempt).
- Different rate from the clinical session (usually includes 1-2 administration sessions + 1 feedback session + report).
- Up-front payment or 50/50: covers the publisher's licence cost before you apply it.
- If the patient then starts therapy, discount the assessment cost or not according to your policy.
Common pitfalls in online assessment
- Running individual IQ tests remotely without the publisher's official platform.
- Distributing copyrighted tests on Google Forms.
- Not verifying that the patient is the one responding (no camera, no ID).
- Storing responses in unencrypted spreadsheets.
- Forgetting the assessment-specific consent, separate from the therapy one.
Frequently asked questions
We answer the most frequent questions on psychometric tests and online assessment in psychology.
Can I run the WAIS online?
Not self-administered. Pearson allows Q-interactive with a tablet supervised remotely by the psychologist, but it requires licence and training. The classic application is in person.
Is a PHQ-9 sent by email valid?
Yes, and it is common practice. Make sure to send it from an encrypted platform or as a questionnaire inside your clinical software, not as an unprotected attachment.
How much does an e-TEA licence cost per year?
Subscriptions from €100-200/year + per-application fee (€1-8). Depends on volume and the specific test. For occasional use, pay-per-application usually works out better.
Can I combine online assessment with in-person sessions?
Yes. It is common practice: online administration of self-applied questionnaires + in-person session for feedback and tests that require observation.
How do I store results under GDPR?
Inside the patient's electronic clinical history, encrypted, on EU servers, with per-user restricted access and activity logging. More in GDPR for psychologists.