±«ÓãÊÓƵ

2. Why is there a fee to apply for individual and senior accreditation?

The fee to apply for our accreditation routes relates to the cost involved in processing and assessing applications. We have robust processes in the accreditation team to ensure applications are assessed rigorously, fairly and to a high standard. Our accreditation officers first check that applications meet the eligibility requirements and ensure we have all the required information. Next, our accreditation assessors (who are all qualified practitioners, trainers and assessors) assess these applications to the required standard. We also use a moderation and standardisation process to ensure assessment is consistent. This is an important part of our quality assurance process.

We prioritise keeping accreditation application fees as low as possible for our members and providing financial support to those in need.

The accreditation fee for each route has been carefully calculated based on the cost of processing each application to high standards. ±«ÓãÊÓƵdoes not profit from accreditation applications and will regularly review the fees to ensure they cover costs as well as being value for money for members.

3. Does ±«ÓãÊÓƵmake money on accreditation?

No, we do not make any profit from accreditation applications and it’s not our intention to do so.

The fees we receive from accreditation applications only partially cover the costs of delivering our accreditation schemes.

We’re committed to delivering high standards while keeping accreditation application fees as low as possible for our members and we provide financial support to those who need it. 

4. Why does the application fee vary depending on what accreditation route you apply for?Ìý

The new accreditation routes vary in size and complexity and so the amount of time it takes to process and assess applications varies significantly across the different routes. The application fees reflect this variation.

5. Is financial support available to apply for individual accreditation or 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. 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.

6. Why is the fee to apply to move membership categories (therefore SCoPEd framework columns) less, if you hold membership with another SCoPEd partner?

The framework sets out the minimum standards for each column that the membership categories are aligned to. Some partners may have additional criteria relating to their own requirements. For ±«ÓãÊÓƵmembers this relates to our ethical framework and EDI commitments, but the SCoPEd standards will be equitable and our members won’t be asked to evidence these again when applying to move membership categories with us.

As the SCoPEd standards will have already be assessed, it reduces the amount of time it’ll take us to process and assess the criteria relating to BACP’s requirements. The fee to apply via this route reflects this.

7. Can you split the payment of accreditation application fees or does it all have to be paid in full when submitting your application form?Ìý

Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer split payments and the full application fee will need to be paid before we can process your accreditation application. However, we’re committed to keeping accreditation application fees as low as possible for our members and providing financial support to those who need it.

For more information, please visit the support with your application page on our website.

8. The cost to apply for a registered accredited member (aligned to column A) to senior accredited membership (aligned to column C) via the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) route could be too expensive for some members. Why is the fee more than the other accreditation routes?Ìý

The RPL routes will enable registered members who are eligible to move directly to senior accredited membership, without having to apply for accredited membership first. The fee reflects the significant time it takes to process and assess this combined application.

The RPL routes are specifically 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 a Level 7 qualification, it enables those with a wealth of experience, who are not in a position to complete training at Level 7, to gain recognition that supports their professional journey.

For more information visit our registered member to senior accredited webpage.

9. Why do accredited members pay an increased membership fee when compared to registered members? What do we get extra?Ìý

Like many professional associations, we have a tiered membership dependent on where therapists are within their career journey. We recognise that trainees won’t be earning a living through their counselling work and as a result, offer a reduced membership fee to support this category. Membership fees increase as a member progress to accreditation. Accredited and senior accredited members are more likely to be earning a living through their work and able to contribute more to their association fees. These fees allow us to support the entire membership and maintain standards in accreditation. We aim to deliver good value for money across all our membership categories. 

Contact us

Please contact customer services if you have any further questions.