Benefits of accreditation

Accreditation has many benefits. It can be a valuable developmental opportunity as your career progresses, and a consolidating form of self-reflective CPD.

As well as your existing member benefits, accredited members:

  • can use the designatory letters 'MBACP (Accred)'
  • receive a certificate of accreditation and a personalised logo that you can use to promote your practice
  • have professional recognition of the quality of your practice
  • have evidence of your knowledge and development as an experienced practitioner

Requirements

To become an accredited member, you'll need to demonstrate high standards of training, competence and experience, as well as personal awareness and understanding of how the way you work helps clients.

You need to be a registered member and meet the following criteria:

Training requirements

You must have completed and graduated from a BACP accredited course, or professional counselling or psychotherapy training that:

  • included at least 450 hours of tutor contact hours, over two years (part-time) or one year (full-time)
  • included a supervised placement as an integral part of the training
  • covered theory, skills, professional issues and personal development
  • required an assessment of your competence at the end

Find out more about training requirements

Supervised practice requirements

You need to be in practice when you apply for accreditation and have:

  • been in practice for more than three years 
  • completed 450 hours of supervised practice over three to six years, with at least 150 of these after completing your practitioner training
  • been supervised for at least 1.5 hours a month throughout this period 

Find out more about practice requirements

Supervision requirements

You need to have a current and ongoing contract for counselling or psychotherapy supervision for a minimum of 1.5 hours for each month you're practising.

Find out more about supervision requirements

Commitments

All BACP members need to read and agree to abide by our Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and our Professional Conduct Procedure on an annual basis. As an accredited member, you'll also need to agree to the terms and conditions of the BACP Register every year.

You should also read our Membership policies and protocols

How to apply

Accreditation requires a detailed application and assessment process which can take up to six months to complete. You'll need to complete our online application form which requires:

  • evidence of your training, practice and supervision
  • completion of a detailed reflective practice section demonstrating your understanding of what you do with examples from your practice

We believe all members should have equal access to apply for accreditation. If you identify as living with a disability or learning difference, we can offer additional support to help remove any barriers you may experience with the application process.

Costs

Membership subscriptions run for a year and are reviewed annually.

If you’re receiving certain state benefits or have no personal income, you may be entitled to pay a reduced fee. You'll need to select this option when you renew online. Please see our Reduced fee policy.

If you're a UK tax payer, you may be eligible to claim tax relief on your membership fees.

See also