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BCACTBritish Columbia flagBritish Columbia Association of Counsellors and Therapists

Registration

The standard for BCACT professional registration

BCACT professional registration is granted only when an applicant demonstrates that their education, supervised clinical practice, competence, and professional conduct meet the published requirements for the registration category.

Registration categories

Student

Student Member

For individuals currently completing education relevant to a future BCACT professional registration.

Requirements

  • Currently enrolled in a recognized post-secondary program relevant to counselling, psychotherapy, behavioural intervention, addiction services, peer support, community support, or another BCACT-recognized area of practice.
  • Agreement to abide by the BCACT Code of Ethics and applicable standards of conduct.
  • Student Membership does not confer a professional designation or indicate that the individual meets the requirements for independent professional practice.

AR

Associate Registrant

For individuals who have substantially completed the academic requirements for a professional BCACT designation but are completing required supervised practice, experience, or other outstanding registration requirements.

Requirements

  • Education appropriate to the professional designation being pursued.
  • Demonstrated progress toward the supervised practice and competency requirements of that designation.
  • Practice within demonstrated competence and under appropriate supervision where required.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where the applicant's work involves vulnerable populations.
  • Professional liability insurance where providing professional services directly to clients.
  • Associate registration is transitional and does not automatically confer eligibility for full professional registration.

RC

Registered Counsellor (RC)

For qualified professional counsellors providing counselling services to individuals, couples, families, or groups.

Requirements

  • Master's degree or higher in counselling, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, or a substantially equivalent field from a recognized institution.
  • Graduate-level education must include counselling theory, counselling skills/interventions, ethics, human development or psychopathology, assessment/case conceptualization, and research/evidence-informed practice.
  • Completion of a supervised counselling practicum or equivalent supervised professional practice.
  • Minimum 100 hours of documented clinical supervision, including a meaningful component of direct supervision or observed/reviewed clinical work.
  • Demonstrated professional counselling competency.
  • Professional liability insurance.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RT

Registered Therapist (RT)

For qualified practitioners working within a recognized therapeutic discipline or evidence-informed therapeutic practice.

Requirements

  • Master's degree or higher in a therapeutic, behavioural health, mental health, counselling, psychology, social work, or closely related discipline; or another recognized professional therapeutic qualification determined by BCACT to provide equivalent preparation.
  • Formal education and training in therapeutic theory, intervention, ethics, professional boundaries, assessment and treatment planning.
  • Minimum 100 hours of documented supervised therapeutic practice or clinical supervision.
  • Demonstrated competency within the applicant's stated therapeutic scope of practice.
  • Professional liability insurance.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RP

Registered Psychotherapist

For graduate-level practitioners whose education and supervised professional preparation specifically supports the practice of psychotherapy.

Requirements

  • Master's degree or higher in psychotherapy, counselling, counselling psychology, clinical psychology, social work, or a substantially equivalent mental-health discipline.
  • Graduate-level education in psychotherapy theory and methods, therapeutic relationships, ethics, psychopathology or mental-health assessment, human development, case conceptualization, and evidence-informed practice.
  • Supervised psychotherapy practicum or equivalent supervised professional practice.
  • Minimum 100 hours of documented clinical supervision.
  • Minimum 450 hours of direct client contact accumulated through supervised training and/or professional practice.
  • Demonstrated psychotherapy competency.
  • Professional liability insurance.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RAC

Registered Addiction Counsellor

For practitioners specializing in substance-use disorders and behavioural addictions.

Requirements

  • Diploma, bachelor's degree, graduate degree, or recognized professional education relevant to addiction counselling, counselling, psychology, behavioural health, social work, or a closely related field.
  • Minimum 300 hours of specialized education/training relevant to addiction counselling, which may form part of the applicant's qualifying post-secondary program.
  • Education or training must include addiction theory, substance use, behavioural addictions, screening and assessment, treatment planning, relapse prevention, ethics, motivational approaches, harm reduction and recovery-oriented practice.
  • Minimum 500 hours of supervised addiction-related client service experience.
  • Minimum 50 hours of documented supervision relevant to addiction practice.
  • Demonstrated competency in addiction counselling.
  • Professional liability insurance where providing counselling services.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RCYC

Registered Child & Youth Counsellor

For professional counsellors specializing in work with children and adolescents.

Requirements

  • Master's degree or higher in counselling, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, child and youth care, or a substantially equivalent field appropriate to the scope of practice.
  • Formal education/training in child and adolescent development, counselling interventions, safeguarding, family systems, ethics and professional boundaries.
  • Minimum 450 hours of direct professional experience with children, adolescents and/or families.
  • Minimum 50 hours of documented supervision relevant to child and youth practice.
  • Demonstrated competency in child and youth counselling.
  • Professional liability insurance.
  • Current criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening appropriate to work with minors.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RCFT

Registered Couples & Family Therapist

For graduate-level practitioners specializing in couples, relationship and family therapy.

Requirements

  • Master's degree or higher in counselling, marriage and family therapy, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, or a substantially equivalent field.
  • Graduate or postgraduate training in couples and family systems, relationship therapy, family assessment, therapeutic interventions and ethics.
  • Minimum 450 hours of direct client contact, with a substantial portion involving couples and/or families.
  • Minimum 100 hours of documented clinical supervision, with supervision relevant to couples or family practice.
  • Demonstrated competency in couples and family therapy.
  • Professional liability insurance.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

CSW

Community Support Worker

For practitioners providing structured community-based social, behavioural, mental-health, disability, recovery, residential, outreach or psychosocial support.

Requirements

  • Recognized certificate, diploma, degree or equivalent post-secondary education in community support, social services, mental health, addictions, behavioural sciences, disability support, human services, or a related field.
  • Education/training in professional boundaries, ethics, communication, crisis response, safeguarding and person-centred support.
  • Minimum 300 hours of supervised field placement or relevant professional experience.
  • Demonstrated competency within community support practice.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

PSC

Peer Support Counsellor

For practitioners providing structured peer-based recovery, mental-health, addiction, wellness or behavioural support informed by lived or living experience.

Requirements

  • Recognized peer-support training or education accepted by BCACT.
  • Minimum 200 hours of documented formal peer-support experience, whether paid or volunteer.
  • Training in ethics, boundaries, confidentiality, communication, trauma-informed practice, crisis recognition and appropriate referral.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the distinction between peer support and regulated/clinical services outside the practitioner's qualifications.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

CBI

Clinical Behavioural Interventionist

For practitioners providing structured behavioural assessment, intervention, skills development and behaviour-change services.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in psychology, behavioural science, counselling, social work, education, human services, or another substantially related discipline; or a recognized diploma plus substantial relevant professional experience considered equivalent by BCACT.
  • Formal education/training in behavioural principles, behavioural assessment, intervention planning, behaviour change, ethics, professional boundaries and evidence-informed practice.
  • Minimum 1,000 hours of relevant behavioural intervention experience.
  • Minimum 50 hours of documented professional or clinical supervision relevant to behavioural intervention.
  • Demonstrated competency in behavioural assessment, intervention planning, implementation, documentation and outcome evaluation.
  • Professional liability insurance when practising independently.
  • Criminal record/vulnerable-sector screening where applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

CCPI

Certified Clinical Psychosocial Interventionist

For multidisciplinary practitioners providing structured psychosocial interventions addressing thoughts, emotions, behaviours, coping, relationships, adjustment and psychosocial functioning.

Requirements

  • Relevant recognized post-secondary education in a helping profession and a minimum of 300 documented hours of applicable professional education or specialized training.
  • Minimum 1,500 hours of relevant professional practice experience, including at least 750 hours of direct client contact.
  • Minimum 50 documented hours of relevant supervision, clinical consultation, professional mentoring or structured case consultation.
  • Two professional references, with at least one having direct knowledge of the applicant's professional practice.
  • Professional liability insurance appropriate to the registrant's actual scope of practice and professional activities.
  • Enhanced criminal record check, including vulnerable sector screening where available and applicable.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RCS

Registered Clinical Supervisor (RCS)

An advanced BCACT designation for experienced clinicians qualified to provide clinical supervision.

Requirements

  • Current full professional registration with BCACT or an equivalent recognized Canadian professional/regulatory body.
  • Master's degree or higher in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, or a substantially equivalent clinical field.
  • Minimum 5 years of postgraduate clinical practice.
  • Minimum 1,000 hours of documented direct client contact following completion of the qualifying graduate degree.
  • Minimum 75 hours of postgraduate clinical supervision received.
  • Completion of at least 30 hours of formal education or training in clinical supervision.
  • Demonstrated competency in supervision, ethics, evaluation, professional development and management of supervisory relationships.
  • Professional liability insurance that includes clinical supervision.
  • Good standing with the applicant's professional association or regulatory body.
  • Agreement to the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

RC-CS

Registered Counsellor – Clinical Supervisor

For a BCACT Registered Counsellor (RC) who also meets all requirements for the Registered Clinical Supervisor (RCS) designation.

Requirements

  • The registrant must maintain both RC registration requirements and the clinical-supervision requirements described above.

RT-CS

Registered Therapist – Clinical Supervisor

For a BCACT Registered Therapist (RT) who also meets all requirements for the Registered Clinical Supervisor (RCS) designation.

Requirements

  • The registrant must maintain both RT registration requirements and the clinical-supervision requirements described above.

Status

Inactive Registrant

For an existing BCACT professional registrant who is temporarily not actively practising under their BCACT registration.

Requirements

  • Inactive Registrant is a registration status, not a professional designation.
  • The individual's historical professional designation and registration record must be retained.

Status

Retired Registrant

For an existing BCACT professional registrant who has retired from professional practice while maintaining their historical relationship with BCACT.

Requirements

  • Retired Registrant is a registration status, not a professional designation.
  • The individual's historical designation and registration record must be retained.

Requirements for Professional Registration

In addition to category-specific eligibility requirements, professional registrants must:

  • Provide verifiable education, training and professional-experience documentation.
  • Provide official or independently verifiable credentials when requested.
  • Agree to comply with the BCACT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
  • Practise only within their education, training, demonstrated competence and authorized scope.
  • Maintain professional liability insurance where their category or professional activities require it.
  • Maintain any required criminal record or vulnerable-sector screening.
  • Accurately represent their BCACT designation and registration status.
  • Disclose relevant professional disciplinary findings or restrictions as required by BCACT policy.
  • Meet BCACT continuing competency and renewal requirements.

BCACT may assess substantially equivalent education, supervised practice, professional credentials and documented experience on a case-by-case basis where an applicant does not follow the standard educational pathway.

Equivalency does not guarantee registration. Applicants must demonstrate competencies substantially equivalent to the applicable BCACT registration standard.

Application process

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for BCACT professional registration are submitted through the online Application for Registration below.

Before beginning your application, you should have information about your education, clinical training, supervised practice, employment history, professional credentials, liability insurance, continuing professional development, and professional references available.

You will also be asked to provide supporting documentation as part of the application process.

BCACT independently assesses applications against the published requirements for the registration category being sought. Information provided in an application may be verified directly with educational institutions, professional organizations, supervisors, employers, referees, insurers, or other issuing bodies.

Submission of an application does not guarantee registration. BCACT may request additional information, documentation, verification, or clarification before making a registration decision.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. 1. Complete the online Application for Registration.

  2. 2. Provide the required supporting documentation.

  3. 3. BCACT reviews the application against the published registration requirements.

  4. 4. Qualifications, professional credentials, supervised practice, references, and other relevant information may be independently verified.

  5. 5. BCACT may contact the applicant if additional information, documentation, or clarification is required.

  6. 6. The applicant is notified of the registration decision when the assessment is complete.

Assessment timelines depend on the completeness of the application. Incomplete supervised practice records are the most common reason for delay.

Independent Verification

“BCACT does not rely solely on information or documents submitted by applicants. Where appropriate, qualifications, professional credentials, supervised practice, employment history, references, insurance, and other information may be verified directly with the issuing institution, organization, supervisor, employer, referee, or professional body.”

Application for registration

The application below is the formal application for BCACT professional registration. It collects the information and supporting documentation required to assess eligibility against the published requirements for the registration category you are applying for. Submission of an application does not grant registration.

Application progress7%

Step 1 of 15 — Application details

Fields marked * are required. All other fields are optional.

Applicants qualified outside British Columbia

Qualifications obtained in other Canadian provinces or outside Canada are assessed on their substance rather than their title. Assessment considers the level and length of the qualification, the assessed clinical component, the supervision model, and the ethical framework under which the applicant has practised. Where a gap is identified, BCACT sets out what additional supervised practice or coursework would satisfy the standard.

Maintaining registration

  • Annual renewal with confirmation of continued practice and good standing.
  • A minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development each registration year.
  • Ongoing clinical supervision or consultation appropriate to the registration category.
  • Current professional liability insurance.
  • Prompt disclosure of any finding, charge, or restriction that affects fitness to practise.

Renewal requirements are set out in full in the registrant resources section, alongside the professional development record template.

Fees

ItemFee (CAD)
Application Assessment$185
Annual Registration$185
Student Membership$75
Reinstatement Following Lapse$120

The $185 Annual Registration fee applies to all professional registration categories and designations.

A registrant holding multiple BCACT professional designations pays one annual registration fee, not a separate annual fee for each designation.

Student Membership is not professional registration and has a separate annual fee of $75.

The application assessment fee covers the review and assessment of an application and is non-refundable. Payment of the assessment fee does not guarantee registration.