A SYDNEY psychologist who has denied links to the alleged war criminal and former Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has been found guilty of falsely claiming to be a doctor.

Vitomir Zepinic, a former deputy minister in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was found to have been in breach of the Medical Practice Act for using the initials MBBS in six medico-legal reports to the insurance company Allianz.

He has never been registered to practice as a psychiatrist in NSW and his conviction could lead to the cancellation of his registration as a psychologist.

Burwood Local Court magistrate Caroline Barkell ruled yesterday that Zepinic's use of the initials MBBS - meaning bachelor of medicine/bachelor of surgery - indicated he was entitled to be a registered doctor. However, he did not possess such qualifications, she said.

Zepinic agreed he was not registered as a medical practitioner in NSW and did not have the qualifications, but argued the initials were the "Australian equivalent" of qualifications he obtained in Sarajevo. Two similar charges were dismissed. He will be sentenced on Friday.

Bellinda Kontominas