ACC has been approved to hold an Accredited Register of Counsellors by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). This means that ACC has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate that our organisation meets all the rigorous standards that are laid down by the PSA.
The purpose of Accredited Registers, which apply to a wide range of healthcare practices in addition to counselling and psychotherapy, is to ensure public safety.
Education & Training Requirements
To join the Register a counsellor needs to have successfully completed at a minimum a level 4 diploma award in counselling which has validated by the Open College Network (OCN), Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) and other recognised training Courses who are registered with Ofqual or a UK higher Educational Establishment. This typically will have involved at least 300 tutor contact hours and a supervised placement of 100 hours. Please note distance learning courses at any level: diploma, B.A., M.A., Doctorate, are not accepted as qualifying counselling training.
Planned Changes in Education and Training Requirements
In February 2023 ACC adopted the Scope of Practice and Education Framework (SCoPEd) which has been developed in partnership with other counselling accredited registers. The Framework and the full list of adopting partners can be accessed here.
This means that after an agreed period of transition, counsellors apply to the Register will need to have completed a training that maps into the SCoPEd framework. The earliest time that this will come into being is January 2026 as it will take time for counselling training providers to make the required changes. However it is advised that students about to embark on training should make reference to the SCoPEd framework as they are selecting a training course and provider.
Newly Qualified Registered Counsellors
We have our Newly Qualified Registered Counsellor Membership for all counsellors who have completed their qualification in the last 6 months. For a reduced price (for the first year) you will have all the benefits of being a registered counsellor alongside extra support offered via connecting and mentoring forums. To join via this membership please select Newly Qualified Registered Counsellor Membership in the category below. Please note your qualification must be suitable for registered membership (see terms and conditions).
Equivalent Counselling & Psychotherapy Membership
Holding the following registered memberships indicate that your training and qualifications meet the standard required by ACC’s register. Please apply for registered counselling membership by completing the online registered counsellor application form at the end of this section.
• BACP Registered Member
• UKCP Registered Member
• NCS Accredited Registrant
• BPC Registered Membership
Until January 2026 when SCoPEd is fully implemented at ACC, counsellors holding an appropriate membership with the following membership bodies will continue to be accepted as an equivalence.
• COSCA Registered Counsellor Membership
• ACP Registered Membership
• HCPC registered as a clinical or counselling psychologist or art therapist
Process time
Register applications normally take between 7 and 10 working days to process. Please note that these timescales are dependent on satisfactory references being received in a timely manner.
Applying for an Equivalence Decision
If you do not have a level 4 diploma in counselling or one of the above listed professional registered memberships, you may want to consider an equivalence route. Please note there is a charge for this service.
Criteria for an Equivalence Decision
Application Form for an Equivalence Decision
Joining the ACC’s Accredited Register of Counsellors brings with it a commitment to safe practice and continuous professional development. These include maintaining professional indemnity insurance, undertaking supervision appropriate to your practice and level of accreditation and completing 25 hours of continuous professional development activities each year.
Qualified counsellors who are eligible for the Register and who are on a practice break may be able to join the Register in preparation for commencing practice. If this applies to you, please contact the Registrar by telephoning the Head Office or by email registrar@acc-uk.org to discuss this with us. [Details of ACC’s practice break guidelines are available on the website in Counsellor Guidance Documents under the Professional Development Tab.]
If you have any other questions please email registrar@acc-uk.org or phone the office.
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