Clinics will also consider the impact of other medical and mental health issues.
Children as young as seven will get transgender treatment on the NHS, according to plans seen by The Telegraph.
In details of the new service to replace the controversial Tavistock clinic, NHS England has set out how it will limit the use of puberty blockers and ban activists and teachers from referring children for treatment.
For the first time, it has set a minimum age of seven for referral to the gender identity clinics.
These children will be offered psychological support and therapy that will focus on issues that may have led to their feelings about their gender.
However, experts have warned that the age restriction could still put young children with mental health problems on a “pathway to medical transition”.
Campaigners welcomed the “move toward an evidence-based approach”, but said there was still work to be done to ensure children are kept safe.