Criteria For Membership in the CCPCP
Membership in the CCPCP is voluntary and inclusive to all qualified Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Counselling Colleges and Universities, Counselling Associations, Counselling Corporations (Profit and Non-profit), and Employee Assistance Providers who meet the eligibility requirements. Members of the CCPCP are recognized for their commitment to maintaining standards of excellence in the mental health services they provide to the public.
CCPCP’s ‘inclusive model’ is open to practitioners from a variety of educational backgrounds and disciplines including Mental Health Practitioners, nurses, educators, life coaches, theologians and other professionals who deliver mental health services to the public.
The CCPCP is a voluntary regulatory college. Membership in the CCPCP does not fulfill legislated registration requirements for Provincial, Territorial or other regulatory bodies for Mental Health Practitioners in Canada.
The CCPCP offers five classes of membership:
1. Candidate Member
2. Full Member
3. Advanced Member
4. Student Member
5. Associate Member
The following information will outline the requirements for membership in each class.
Criteria for Full Member Status
Provide proof of successful completion of a minimum of 450 hours of training in applied skill development related to the core areas of competency as identified in the Competency Profile for Mental Health Practitioners. Click here for competency profile
- Provide a transcript from an accredited training program that includes successful completion of a minimum of 450 hours of training in courses specific to the competencies and skills identified by the governing association of mental health practitioners that you belong to.
- Following completion of an accredited training program, applicants must have provided direct mental health related services to clients for a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice over a period of two years while receiving supervision for a minimum of 2 hours per month. Supervision to be provided by an experienced professional who meets the qualification of a clinical supervisor listed below.
- (Applicants for full membership in the CCPCP who currently hold full membership in a pre-approved professional association or regulatory college may submit their supervised hours for evaluation by the CCPCP admissions team.)
- Qualifications of Clinical Supervisor: 8 years of clinical experience providing professional mental-health related services specific to the applicant’s area of practice; full or advanced membership status in a regulatory college or professional association for a minimum of 5 years. Must hold current liability insurance.
- The reference letter from the supervisor must document the number of supervised hours and type of supervision provided. Supervision Evaluation Form to be completed by Supervisor.
- Provide letters of reference from two qualified mental health professionals, who are familiar with his/her work. One of the referees must have been the applicant’s supervisor.
Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination described below. The Qualifying Examination requirement will be waived for full and candidate applicants who are members of a pre-approved professional association. See list of pre-approved associations.
Applicant must hold professional liability insurance (may be purchased through CCPCP website under ‘Benefits’, or from other professional associations).
Applicants provide a copy of a criminal record check, no older than 6 months, that includes vulnerable sectors. If applicable, please disclose the following circumstances for review by the CCPCP Registrar: dismissal from employment in counselling or related field; denied membership in a professional organization; prior complaints filed against the applicant on the grounds of professional misconduct in Canada or elsewhere.
By signing this application, the applicant attests to the following:
– He/she understands and agrees to practice within the guidelines of the CCPCP code of Ethical Conduct.
– The applicant agrees to participate in 12 hours of continuing education and/or professional development each year.
– The applicant has read and signed the Permission to Release Information to Complaints Committee Form
Criteria for Advanced Member Status
Each applicant for designation as an Advanced Counselling Practitioner will be evaluated by the CCPCP Examination Committee. The application process provides the opportunity for applicants to submit documentation to meet Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) criteria relating to the applicant’s training, other credentials, membership, experience, and supervised practice counselling. (Additional fees for PLAR by the CCPCP may apply.)
Applicants must hold:
- Status as a Full Member in good standing with the CCPCP.
Applicants to provide written documentation of the following:
- Proof of liability insurance which includes coverage specific to the area of specialized practice.
- 150 hours of advanced, competency-based training specific to the chosen area of specialization. Training to be completed through accredited college or university courses that include skill practice; certified professional development programs; or a combination of both.
Applicant to provide transcripts and certification of program completion.
- A total of 50 hours of consultation with a supervisor who has a minimum of 5 years clinical experience in the area of specialization.
Documentation required:
A referral letter verifying the supervisor’s name, address and professional credentials; details of supervision to include number of hours, format of supervision sessions, and Statement of Competence attesting to the practitioner’s level of competence in area of specialization included with the application.
A referral letter from a colleague(s) verifying that the applicant worked in the area of specialization for a minimum of 2 years; complete and sign the Statement Verifying Work Experience included with the application.
The ACP applicant designates one area of specialized practice from the following list.
CCPCP is inclusive of ALL mental health practitioners who meet the competency standards for membership. If the applicant’s specific area of specialization is not included below, the CCPCP Examination Board will evaluate a request for inclusion.
| Youth and Family Counsellor | Dialectical Behavioral Therapy |
| Play Therapy | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
| Marriage Counselling | Equine Therapy |
| Sex and Intimacy Counsellor | Executive Coaching |
| Special Education Specialist | EMDR Therapy |
| Grief Counselling | Life Coaching |
| Addictions Counsellor | Hypnotherapy |
| Spiritual Care Practitioner | Feminist-based Therapy |
| Solution Focused Counselling | Music Therapy |
| Vocational/Career Counselling | Art Therapy |
| Geriatric Support Counselling | Internet Counselling |
| Clinical Supervision | Trauma and Crisis Counselling |
| Mediation | Group Counselling |
| Behavioral Therapy | Culturally-based Counselling |
| Mental Health Therapist |
Criteria for Candidate Member Status
Provide proof of successful completion of a minimum of 450 hours of training in applied skill development related to the core areas of competency as identified in the Competency Profile for Mental Health Practitioners.
Click here for competency profile
- Provide a transcript from an accredited training program that includes successful completion of a minimum of 450 hours of training in courses specific to the competencies and skills identified by the governing association of mental health practitioners that you belong to.
- Following graduation, the applicant must be working or volunteering in a mental-health related position, providing direct services to clients. The applicant must meet with a supervisor for 2 hours per month for a minimum of 24 months.
- Supervision may be acquired in a group setting, staff meeting, individual face to face meeting, by phone, or in combination as long as a supervisor is in attendance.
- Supervision to be provided by an experienced professional who meets the qualifications of a clinical supervisor listed below.
- Qualifications of Clinical Supervisors: 8 years of clinical experience providing mental-health related services; full or advanced membership status in a regulatory college or professional association for a minimum of 5 years. Must hold current liability insurance.
- Applicant to provide details of the supervisor`s name, credentials, place of practice, etc., along with a letter from the supervisor documenting the number of supervised hours contracted for each month.
- Two letters of reference are also required from qualified mental health professionals, who are familiar with the applicant’s work. One of the referees must be the applicant’s supervisor. Supervision Evaluation Form to be completed by Supervisor.
Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination described below. The Qualifying Examination requirement will be waived for full and candidate applicants who are members of a pre-approved professional association. See list of pre-approved associations.
Applicant must acquire professional liability insurance (may be purchased through CCPCP website under ‘Benefits’, or from other professional associations).
Applicants provide a copy of a criminal record check, no older than 6 months includes vulnerable sectors. If applicable, please disclose the following circumstances for review by the CCPCP Registrar: dismissal from employment in mental health or related field; denied membership in a professional; prior complaints filed against the applicant on the grounds of professional misconduct in Canada or elsewhere.
By signing this application, the applicant attests to the following:
– He/she has read, understands, and agrees to practice within the guidelines of the CCPCP code of Ethical Conduct.
– The applicant agrees to participate in 12 hours of continuing education and/or professional development each year.
– The applicant has read and signed the Permission to Release Information to Complaints Committee Form
- NOTE: Candidate members may apply for FULL MEMBER status after completing a total of 500 hours of supervised work experience over a minimum period of 2 years. The total number of hours of supervision required to apply for full membership is a minimum of 2 hours per month over 24 months.
(Applicants for full membership will be considered to have satisfied the supervisory requirements if comparable hours of supervision were obtained while a candidate or full member in good standing of a pre-approved professional association or regulatory college.)
Criteria for Student Membership
The CCPCP welcomes students currently enrolled in mental-health related training programs to apply for membership in the CCPCP. Student members are expected to conform to, and accept, the CCPCP Code of Ethics and Bylaws, and Standards of Professional Practice. Early affiliation with a voluntary regulatory college provides an important foundation for your professional credentials.
Step one: Submit the name and contact information of your school. Provide a brief description of the program you’re enrolled in and a list of mental-health related courses.
Step two: Provide proof of enrollment.
Step three: Provide a letter of reference from one instructor or practicum supervisor who is familiar with your work.
Student Membership is free for qualified students. This is a non-voting class of membership. The CCPCP assumes no responsibility for mental-health related activities or services provided to the public by Student Members.
Criteria for Associate Membership
The CCPCP welcomes professional associations, educational institutes, and community agencies to join a collaborative network of organizations united in support of CCPCP members.
Associate Membership is open to private and non-profit training institutions, pre-approved professional associations; medical institutions, community agencies, and insurance providers. (Professional associations who would like to be considered for pre-approved status, please contact the CCPCP Registrar.)
Associate Members will be featured on the CCPCP website, and receive a wall certificate in recognition of the association’s commitment to regulating the standards of competency in the delivery of mental health services to the public.
Registered Designations used by Full and Candidate Members
Full members may use the designation CCPCP-r. (Registrant with the Canadian College of Professional Counselling Practitioners)
Candidate members may use the designation CCPCP-r.cand. (Candidate registrant with the Canadian College of Professional Counselling Practitioners)
Associate Members
