Here you can find answers to some commonly asked questions about SCoPEd – this page focuses on applying for senior accreditation.
1. What is the benefit in becoming senior accredited?
2. Why are current senior accredited members not automatically in column C?
3. Will my employment be affected if my membership category changes from senior accredited to accredited?
4. Will I receive a refund if I’m a current senior accredited member and not eligible for the new senior accreditation?
5. To apply for senior accreditation during the transition period members will need a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification. What is equivalent to a Level 7?
6. Why don’t degrees or postgraduate training in other subjects count? Especially in subjects such as Psychology or Social work? What about pre-qualifying experience or training that might be relevant?
7. When can I submit my application?
8. If my application is deferred during the transition period, will I be able to resubmit it?
9. If I’m unsuccessful during the transition period, will I be able to appeal?
10. Are guidance documents and videos available to help complete the application forms?
11. Is it better to apply for senior accreditation during the transition period or wait until the new schemes open in 2026?
12. Are you holding telesurgeries during the transition period?
13. Is support available for those who identify as having additional needs?
14. How much does it cost to apply for senior accreditation during the transition period?
15. Is financial support available to apply for senior accreditation?
16. I’m in a different column to my supervisor, is that ok?
17. What if my supervisor is unaware of the SCoPEd framework and unable to confirm my overall competence?
18. Do I need a client's written permission if I write case material about them for my senior accreditation application?
19. Who assesses the senior accreditation applications?
20. How long will it take to process my application?
21. Will the new schemes make it harder to become senior accredited?
1. What is the benefit in becoming senior accredited?
Applying for senior accreditation is entirely your decision and will likely depend on your own individual circumstances.
Our new senior accredited membership category is aligned to column C of the SCoPEd framework. This means BACP members in this category can promote themselves as aligning to column C of the SCoPEd framework in their advertising and promotional materials.
Members cite numerous benefits as provides a valuable and rewarding developmental opportunity through the reflective process required. Each applicant gains different things from the accreditation process, but a common theme we hear is that it helped them consolidate their practice, further ground them in their way of working and increase their confidence.
We expect these benefits will apply to many accredited members who choose to apply for the new senior accreditation scheme, however, this is likely to be different for each individual.
2. Why are current senior accredited members not automatically in column C?
Our previous senior accredited scheme doesn’t align with the SCoPEd column C competences and practice standards. We’ve revised the scheme for the transition period and additional routes will also be available from February 2026.
During the transition period current senior accredited members can apply using the temporary mechanism process if you have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification. There will be no application cost associated with this option.
If you don’t have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling and/or psychotherapy qualification, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category when our permanent accreditation routes are available from February 2026. This route will consider training and CPD alongside other existing skills and experience. If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to apply via this route, it’ll be free for the first 12 months after the scheme opens.
If you’re a BACP senior accredited member and also a UKCP or BPC member aligned to column C please contact our customer services team for more information about the process for you to move to the revised senior accredited membership category (if you wish to).
For more information visit the SCoPEd where will I be represented web page or to apply visit our senior accredited membership page.
3. Will my employment be affected if my membership category changes from senior accredited to accredited?
You’ll still be able to provide all the services you do currently. Members will still be able to practise competences in other SCoPEd columns providing you have the right skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so. This is in line with our existing Ethical Framework, which states that BACP members must work within the limits of their competence.
4. Will I receive a refund if I’m a current senior accredited member and not eligible for the new senior accreditation?
Unfortunately, a refund won’t be available. Current senior accredited members can apply for the column C aligned senior accredited membership category for free during the transition period if they have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling and/or psychotherapy qualification and meet the other eligibility requirements.
If they don’t have a Level 7 or equivalent qualification they can apply via the additional route opening in 2026, which will include recognition of CPD and experience. This route will be free to current senior accredited members until February 2027.
5. To apply for senior accreditation during the transition period members will need a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification. What is equivalent to a Level 7?
- UK Postgraduate certificate, Postgraduate diploma, or Masters award
- Level 9 National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland
- Level 11 The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
- international qualifications that are equivalent to a UK Level 7 – the level of the award needs to be formally validated
- this can also include a Level 7 counselling or psychotherapy supervision qualification
6. Why don’t degrees or postgraduate training in other subjects count? Especially in subjects such as Psychology or Social work? What about pre-qualifying experience or training that might be relevant?
The level and type of training links to both the entry point for the SCoPEd framework columns and the competences in the columns. For example, a Level 7 in a different subject area will not have covered the following competences in relation to counselling and psychotherapy practice:
4.2.C Ability to critically appraise the history of psychological ideas, the cultural context, and relevant social and political theories to inform and evaluate ongoing practice.
4.11.C Ability to integrate relevant theory and research in the areas of diversity and equality into clinical practice.
4.16.C Ability to successfully complete a substantial empirical research project, systematic review or systematic case study informed by wide current understandings of therapeutic practices.
7. When can I submit my application?
Applications can be submitted now, visit our senior accredited membership webpage for further details and to apply.
10. Are guidance documents and videos available to help complete the application forms?
Yes, written guidance documents to support your accreditation application during the transition period are available our applying for senior accreditation webpage and videos will be available soon.
You can also contact accreditation@bacp.co.uk or customer services further guidance.
11. Is it better to apply for senior accreditation during the transition period or wait until the new schemes open in 2026?
It’s important that you feel ready to apply for senior accreditation when you prepare and submit your application. Whether that’s during the transition period or in 2026 when the other routes open, will depend on your readiness to go through this process. You won’t be disadvantaged either way.
A key aim of the accreditation schemes and the transition period is to enable members to move to the membership category that best aligns with their training, experience, knowledge and skills. Members will be able to apply for senior accreditation at any time during the transition or thereafter by evidencing they have met the senior accreditation standards.
All current BACP senior accredited members will be able to continue to use the senior accredited title until their 2025 membership renewal date. At the time of your 2025 renewal from February onwards, if you have chosen not to apply for the revised senior accredited membership category, you will become a BACP accredited member aligned to column B of the SCoPEd framework.
There are two routes for current senior accredited members to apply for the revised senior accredited membership category:
- If you have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification you can apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category during the transition period using the temporary mechanism process. There will be no costs associated with this for current senior accredited members.
- If you don’t have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling and/or psychotherapy qualification you’ll have the opportunity to apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category when our permanent accreditation routes are available from February 2026. This route will consider training and CPD alongside other existing skills and experience. If you’re a current senior accredited member meeting the eligibility criteria and wish to apply via this route, it’ll be free for the first 12 months after the scheme opens.
If you’re a BACP senior accredited member and also a UKCP or BPC member aligned to column C please contact our customer services team for more information about the process for you to move to the revised senior accredited membership category, if you wish to.
12. Are you holding telesurgeries during the transition period?
Yes, these offer support to applicants needing guidance with the reflective practice criteria who would benefit from speaking one-to-one with an assessor. Sessions last 30 minutes and cost £25. Please email the accreditations team to book an appointment.
13. Is support available for those who identify as having additional needs?
Yes, our Support and Inclusive Officer for the accreditation team will be available to help members who need this service.
For more information, our Support and Inclusive Officer, Liz Gascoigne, discusses the support available in her increased access to accreditation blog.
14. How much does it cost to apply for senior accreditation during the transition period?
If you’re an accredited member you can apply for senior accreditation for £230 and there is financial support available for eligible members.
Current senior accredited members who wish to apply for revised senior accredited membership (column C) will be able to do so free of charge during the transition period. Current senior accredited members will also have the opportunity to apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category at no cost for the first 12 months, via one of the permanent routes that will open February 2026 if you meet the eligibility criteria. This will consider training and CPD alongside other existing skills and experience.
15. Is financial support available to apply for senior accreditation?
Yes, members who have already been awarded a full reduced fee membership will only pay a £25 administration fee at the time of applying, as was the case previously. A reduced accreditation application fee can also be offered to those who are already in receipt of the reduced membership fee on the sliding scale.
For more information please visit the support with your application page on our website.
16. 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. They will need to be familiar with the SCoPEd framework and be able to comment on your overall competence for the ‘Supervisor Statement’ they’ll complete as part of the application.
17. What if my supervisor is unaware of the SCoPEd framework and unable to confirm my overall competence?
The SCoPEd framework is available to view on our website. If you’re considering applying for accreditation during the transition period, you may want to share the framework with your supervisor and explore with them where you are in terms of the competences.
Our Supervisor requirements FAQs may also provide useful information.
18. Do I need a client's written permission if I write case material about them for my senior accreditation application?
It’s up to you if you ask for consent from a client you're going to write about, but you must do so if required by the agency or organisation you're working for. It's not a BACP requirement because we ask you to completely anonymise any case material you send us in accordance with our Ethical Framework. This means you must ensure your clients confidentiality is protected. We delete everything once you've been awarded your accreditation.
19. Who assesses the senior accreditation applications?
Our accreditation officers will check the applications when received to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and that we have all the information we need before allocating to an accreditation assessor, who are qualified practitioners. We also use an external moderation process to ensure standardisation of assessment.
21. Will the new schemes make it harder to become senior accredited?
No, it’s important you feel ready to apply for senior accreditation when you prepare and submit your application. Whether that’s during the transition period or waiting for the permanent schemes to open in early 2026. When you apply will depend on your readiness to go through this process. You won’t be disadvantaged either way.
A key aim of the accreditation schemes and the transition period is to enable members to move to the membership category that best aligns with their training, experience, knowledge and skills. Members will be able to apply for accreditation at any time during the transition or thereafter by evidencing they have met the relevant standards.
Contact us
Please contact customer services if you have any further questions.
Related links
SCoPEd
The SCoPEd framework is a ground-breaking shared standards framework, developed by six Professional Standards Authority accredited bodies, including BACP, which represent over 75,000 counsellors and psychotherapists
SCoPEd frequently asked questions
Answers to the most commonly asked questions about SCoPEd
SCoPEd framework
Read the January 2022 version of the SCoPEd framework