Background <p>Competency-based training is essential for building a qualified workforce in community-based psychiatric rehabilitation. Yet China lacks a contextually grounded competency framework to guide training, assessment, and service quality. This paper aims to develop a core competency framework tailored to community-based psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners in China.</p> Methods <p>We used a structured three-phase process: (1) a rapid literature review and conceptualization; (2) framework drafting; and (3) a two-round Delphi survey with 29 multidisciplinary Chinese experts to refine and achieve consensus on indicators. Expert engagement and consensus were assessed using standard metrics.</p> Results <p>Eleven relevant international competency frameworks were reviewed to inform the initial drafting of the indicators. Following internal consultation and two rounds of Delphi survey, the coefficients of variation for the importance ratings of the indicators ranged from 0.00 to 0.23 (Round 1) and 0.00 to 0.20 (Round 2), indicating strong consensus among the experts. The final framework consists of 54 secondary indicators organized under 6 primary indicators: attitudes, beliefs, and values; ethical principles; professionalism; learning and development; basic knowledge; and basic skills - forming the acronym AEPLKS (pronounced “apex”).</p> Conclusions <p>The framework not only aligns with international standards for person-centered, recovery-oriented, and ethical practice but is also culturally adapted to the Chinese context. Given workforce shortages and the absence of similar frameworks in many low- and middle-income countries, it may serve as a reference for developing contextually appropriate community-based psychiatric rehabilitation competency frameworks in other settings. Nonetheless, given that the AEPLKS framework is a preliminary, expert-derived one, further empirical validation will be required before its application in certification or formal performance assessment.</p>