FAQs about accreditation
Answers to members' common enquiries

Are registration and accreditation the same thing?

AccreditationÌýand senior accreditationÌýisÌýanÌýadditionalÌýmembership level.ÌýOur accredited membershipÌýisÌýaligned to column B of theÌýSCoPEdÌýframework. OurÌýsenior accredited membership is aligned to column C of theÌýSCoPEdÌýframework.ÌýÌý

Registered members (aligned to column A of theÌýSCoPEdÌýframework)Ìýcan apply forÌýeither accredited membership or senior accredited membership.ÌýÌý

Accredited members can apply for senior accreditation.Ìý

TheÌýaccreditationÌýrouteÌý³Ù³ó²¹³Ù’sÌýright for you willÌýbe dependent on yourÌýtraining and experienceÌýandÌý²â´Ç³Ü’l±ôÌýneed to meet our eligibility requirements.ÌýMore information is available on ourÌýaccreditationÌýwebpageÌý

All practising Â鶹ԭ´´ members must be registered or working towards registration.ÌýÌý

³§±ð±ð Registered membership.Ìý

What is the benefit of going through the accreditation process?Ìý

Applying for accreditation is entirely your decision and will likely depend on your own individual circumstances. It does, however, have many benefits. It can be a valuable developmental opportunity as your career progresses, and a consolidating form of self-reflective CPD.

Do I have to be a Â鶹ԭ´´ member to apply for accreditation?

Yes - only registered members of Â鶹ԭ´´ are eligible to apply for accreditation or senior accreditation.Ìý

Can I apply for accreditation before I register?

No - you'll need to become a registered member before you can apply for accreditation or senior accreditation.Ìý

What accreditation route should I apply for?Ìý

A key aim of the accreditation schemes is to enable members to move to the membership category that best aligns with their training, experience,ÌýknowledgeÌýand skills.ÌýTheÌýrouteÌýrightÌý³Ù³ó²¹³Ù’sÌýright for you will be dependent on your training and experienceÌýandÌý²â´Ç³Ü’l±ôÌýneed to meet our eligibility requirements.ÌýRegistered members can apply forÌýaccreditationÌýorÌýsenior accreditationÌýandÌýaccredited members can apply forÌýsenior accreditation.

Do I need to complete an accredited course to apply for accreditation?

No, you don’t need to complete an accredited course to apply for individual accreditation or senior accreditation. The accreditation routeÌý³Ù³ó²¹³Ù’sÌýright for you will be dependent on yourÌýtraining and experience andÌý²â´Ç³Ü’l±ôÌýneed to meet our eligibility requirements.ÌýMore information is available on ourÌýaccreditationÌýwebpage.ÌýÌý

What's the difference between accreditation and a Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited course?

Accredited membership is the next step for registered members who've been in practice for at least three years. Gaining accreditation demonstrates to clients and employers that you've achieved high standards of knowledge, experience and development.

An accredited courseÌýis a training course for prospective counsellors and psychotherapists that has been assessed by Â鶹ԭ´´ to ensure that it guarantees a standard of training accepted for Â鶹ԭ´´ membership and registration.ÌýSeeÌýCourse accreditation.

If I’ve completed the CoP, can I apply for accreditation via the streamlined route?

Completing the CoP enables registration only. It does not provide eligibility for any accreditation route.ÌýThe Certificate ofÌýproficiencyÌý(CoP) enables individual members (from core training courses that are not Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited) to become a Â鶹ԭ´´ registered member.ÌýÌý

Only graduates from Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited courses, or registered members who successfully complete a Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited or approved progression course (aligned to column B of theÌýSCoPEdÌýframework) can apply for accreditation via theÌýregistered membership to accredited membership route 1: streamline route.ÌýÌý

To view other accreditation routes that are available please visit our individualÌýaccreditationÌýwebpage.

I’m in a different SCoPEd framework column to my supervisor, is that ok?

Your supervisor doesn’t need to be aligned with a particular SCoPEd framework column to support your senior accreditation application however, they should have the necessary knowledge and skills needed for supervising work that aligns with the SCoPEd column B competences. They will also need to be familiar with the SCoPEd framework so they can comment on your overall competence for the Supervisor Statement they’ll complete as part of the application. 

Can I get any support with my application?

If you identify as living with a disability, learning difference or long-term health condition, we can offer support to help remove any barriers you may experience with the application process. Please see support with your application for details.

Do I need to submit copies of my training certificates, as I've already provided this evidence when I applied for Â鶹ԭ´´ membership?

If you've successfully completed a Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited course, you won't be asked to resubmit a copy of your award certificate. If you've completed a non Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited course, please include a copy of your certificate with your application. 

I have more than one setting for my current practice. How do I submit the details?

You'll need to add each setting separately, as you'll be asked to allocate your current supervisor or supervisors to each setting later on in the application form.

What is the cost of applying for individual or senior accreditation?

The cost of applying for individual or senior accreditation will depend on which route you apply for. The accreditation routes vary in size and complexity and so the amount of time it takes to process and assess applications varies significantly across the different routes. The application fees reflect this variation.

 Financial support is available for eligible members. 

​What discounts do you offer on the accreditation fee?​​​

We offer the following options for members:

• £25 administrative fee for members on reduced membership fees
• a percentage reduction which matches the sliding scale reduction a member has received
• a reimbursement up to 50% of the application fee for costs incurred for additional support due to a learning difference or disability
•  contact our support and inclusion officers at accreditation@bacp.co.uk for more details

Can I apply for more than one discount?Ìý

You can only apply for one discount to be deducted from the accreditation fee.Ìý

±Ê±ô±ð²¹²õ±ð contact the accreditation team to discuss the bestÌýoptionÌýfor you.Ìý

I’mÌýentitled to a reduction. Will this automatically be applied when I am ready to pay for the accreditation fee?Ìý

±Ê±ô±ð²¹²õ±ð contact the accreditation team andÌýwe’llÌýissue you with a voucher which you can apply in the cart when youÌýsubmitÌýyour application.Ìý
Ìý
If you are not sure, please contact us and one of the team will help you.Ìý

Who assesses my application?Ìý

Our accreditation officers will check the applications when we receive them to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.ÌýThey’llÌýalso check we have all the information we need beforeÌýallocatingÌýto an accreditation assessor, who are qualified practitioners.ÌýÌý

Our accreditation assessors are all professional,ÌýaccreditedÌýor senior accredited practitioners, withÌýhigh standardsÌýof knowledge and experience in counselling and psychotherapy.Ìý

A randomÌýselectionÌýof applicationsÌýareÌýput forward for moderation. Our moderators are practitioners with a wealth of experience of our accreditation criteria and assessment standards. The purpose of moderation is to ensure the standard of assessmentÌýremainsÌýconstant. The moderation decision is final.Ìý

Successful applicants will be awarded accreditation from the date of the moderation decision and not theÌýinitialÌýassessment decision, as the application is still in progress during this necessary process.Ìý

How long will it take to process my application?Ìý

Accreditation assessment is a thorough and detailed process. We have rigorous measures in place to uphold the integrity andÌýhigh standardsÌýof Â鶹ԭ´´ accreditation. This requires significant input from our team and involves multiple layers of quality assurance to ensure each application is reviewed with the utmost care and consistency. Ìý

Each member’s journey is unique, and therefore the timing of results may differ. Please be assured that your outcome will be shared with you as soon as it is ready. This ensures that your experienceÌýremainsÌýpersonal,Ìýtimely, and aligned with your individual progress.  Ìý

When will I get my accreditationÌýor senior accreditationÌýcertificate and authentication letter?Ìý

We'llÌýnotify youÌýby email as soon asÌýit'sÌýconfirmed that your application has been successful.Ìý

You can log in and download your accreditation certificate from your account on this website. Your certificate will be updated every year when you renew to confirm your continued accreditation. This certificate replaces the letter of authentication you may have received previously.Ìý

How do IÌýrenew myÌýaccreditation?Ìý

We process all renewals onlineÌýyou'llÌýneed to log into your account and click on the renew now button. This will be shown from 60 days before your renewal date to 31 days after.Ìý

Even if you pay by direct debit,Ìýyou'llÌýneed to follow this process as you must sign the terms and conditions. TheÌýaccreditation statement is now included in the Register terms and conditions.Ìý

Are accreditation and membership renewed at the same time?Ìý

Yes. When you renew online,Ìý²â´Ç³Ü’l±ôÌýcomplete all the declarations and terms and conditions at the same time. Ìý