Registered membership to senior accredited membership route 3: recognition of prior learning (RPL) route 2

For Registered members who have completed a core training that meets the eligibility criteria for BACP individual accreditation but haven't completed a BACP accredited core practitioner training course or a BACP accredited or approved progression training aligned to SCoPEd framework column B and C.

Our registered member to senior accredited member route 3: recognition of prior learning (RPL) route 3 is for registered members who’ve successfully completed core training that meets the eligibility for senior accreditation but haven’t completed a BACP accredited core training course or a BACP accredited or approved progression training course aligned to column B and C of the SCoPEd framework since initial qualification.

This route is aimed at highly experienced practitioners with significant maturity of knowledge, skills and experience gained over time in a variety of settings. While it’s not a replacement for postgraduate training, it enables those with a wealth of experience, who are not in a position to complete postgraduate training, to gain recognition that supports their professional journey.

If you’re successful in your application you’ll be able to use the designatory letters ‘Registered Member MBACP (Senior Accred)’ and promote yourself as aligned to column C of the SCoPEd framework, alongside the other benefits of senior accreditation.

You’ll be required to demonstrate training, CPD client hours, supervision, personal development and reflective practice.  You’ll also need to complete a portfolio of evidence which asks for information regarding your professional experience and continued professional development (CPD) activities. The reflective practice criteria and the portfolio will enable you to demonstrate the SCoPEd framework column B and C competences.

Your supervisor will need to verify the information you include in the portfolio before submitting your application, and provide you with a supervisor’s statement.

Eligibility criteria overview

To apply you’ll need to:

be a registered member of BACP
be practising as a counsellor or psychotherapist. You must have been in practice for at least four years when you apply for senior accreditation
have completed and received an award or a combination of awards for practitioner training that:
- included at least 500 hours of tutor contact hours. This can use a combination of awards, such as your core training hours and your certificate training hours. All hours need to be from practitioner training courses, and we need to see a clear progression through the training you submit
- was carried out over at least two years
- had a supervised placement as an integral part of the training
- covered theory, skills, professional issues and personal development
have at least 500 hours of supervised practice accumulated within four to seven years (they don’t have to be consecutive years)
- of the 500 hours, at least 200 hours of supervised practice must be after the successful completion of your practitioner training, which are calculated from the date on the award certificate
have completed 160 hours of personal therapy or personal development work that has contributed to self-awareness and is applicable to therapeutic practice
have an ongoing current contract for counselling or psychotherapy supervision for a minimum of 1.5 hours per month
have been supervised for at least 1.5 hours per month throughout the period of practice submitted

How to apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll need to complete the application form which includes reflective practice criteria and a portfolio of evidence to enable you to demonstrate BACP’s standards for senior accreditation and the SCoPEd framework column B and C competences. The portfolio asks for information regarding your professional experience and continued professional development (CPD) activities.

Two of the criteria in the personal statement are academic essays. Please refer to our Academic Writing Handbook to help you decide if you are ready to apply for senior accreditation using this route.

Your supervisor will need to verify the information you include in the portfolio before submitting your application and provide you with a supervisor’s statement.

Please make sure you’re ready to submit the following information with your application:

details of your training with copies of any relevant award certificates
details of your practice, personal development and supervision
portfolio of evidence
reflective practice criteria
personal statement
supervisor’s statement

When you're ready to start your application, please see the detailed guidance, Academic writing handbook, templates below and video resources provided on this page to help you when completing your application form.

Find out more about the assessment process, decisions, resubmissions and appeals.

Additional support

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

The cost to apply for senior accreditation using registered to senior accredited route 2: Recognition of prior learning (RPL) route 2 is £820.

Financial support is available for eligible members.

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 or senior 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.