The invention provides a catalyst loading method which relates to the technical field of catalytic coal gasification, can reduce the input cost and the recovery cost of a catalyst and can effectively reduce the slagging possibility in a gasification furnace and improve the operation stability and safety of a catalytic coal gasification process. The catalyst loading method comprises the steps of adding coal particles, a calcium-based catalyst and water into a catalyst loading device; leading oxygen gas to the catalyst loading device, and heating the catalyst loading device so as to pre-oxidize the coal particles and realize catalyst loading. The catalyst loading method is suitable for the catalytic coal gasification process.