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2. Why are previous or current senior accredited members (awarded prior to 2023) not automatically in column C?

Our previous senior accredited scheme doesn’t align with the SCoPEd column C competences and practice standards. We’ve revised the scheme for the transition period and additional routes will be available from February 2026.

If you have a validated Level 7 (or equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification, you can apply during the transition period. There will be no application cost associated with this option for previous or current senior accredited (awarded prior to 2023). Visit our senior accredited webpage for further details and to apply.

If you don’t have a validated Level 7 or (equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category when our permanent accreditation routes are available from February 2026. This route will consider training and CPD alongside other existing skills and experience. If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to apply via this route, it’ll be available at no cost until the end of January 2027.Ìý

For further details visit our SCoPEd integration webpages.Ìý

If you’re a ±«ÓãÊÓƵaccredited or senior accredited member and also a UKCP or BPC member aligned to column C please contact our customer services team for more information about the process for you to move to the revised senior accredited membership category (if you wish to).Ìý

3. Will my employment be affected if my membership category changes from senior accredited to accredited?

You’ll still be able to provide all the services you do currently. Members will still be able to practise competences in other SCoPEd columns providing you have the right skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so. This is in line with our existing Ethical Framework, which states that ±«ÓãÊÓƵmembers must work within the limits of their competence.Ìý

4. Will previous or current senior accredited members (awarded prior to 2023) and not eligible for the new senior accreditation receive a refund?Ìý

Unfortunately, a refund won’t be available. Previous or current senior accredited members (awarded prior to 2023) can apply for the column C aligned senior accredited membership category for free during the transition period if they have a validated Level 7 (or equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification and meet the other eligibility requirements. Visit our senior accredited webpage for further details and to apply.Ìý

If they don’t have a validated Level 7 (or equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification they can apply via the additional route opening in February 2026, which will include recognition of training CPD and experience. This route will be free to previous or current senior accredited members (awarded prior to 2023) at no cost until the end of January 2027. For further details visit our SCoPEd integration webpages.Ìý

If you’re a ±«ÓãÊÓƵaccredited or senior accredited member and also a UKCP or BPC member aligned to column C, please contact our customer services team for more information about the process for you to move to the revised senior accredited membership category during the transition period, should you wish to. 

5. To apply for senior accreditation during the transition period members will need a validated Level 7 (or equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification. What is equivalent to a Level 7?

• UK Postgraduate certificate, Postgraduate diploma, or Masters award
• Level 9 National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland
• Level 11 The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
• international qualifications that are equivalent to a UK Level 7 – the level of the award needs to be formally validated
• this can also include a Level 7 counselling or psychotherapy supervision qualification

6. Why don’t degrees or postgraduate training in other subjects count? Especially in subjects such as Psychology or Social work? What about pre-qualifying experience or training that might be relevant?

If your training is a counselling psychology practitioner at Level 7, this will make you eligible to apply for senior accreditation purposes as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria.Ìý

The level and type of training aligns with both the entry point for the SCoPEd framework columns and the competences in the columns. For example, a Level 7 in a different subject area will not have covered the following competences in relation to counselling and psychotherapy practice:

4.2.C Ability to critically appraise the history of psychological ideas, the cultural context, and relevant social and political theories to inform and evaluate ongoing practice.

4.11.C Ability to integrate relevant theory and research in the areas of diversity and equality into clinical practice.

4.16.C Ability to successfully complete a substantial empirical research project, systematic review or systematic case study informed by wide current understandings of therapeutic practices.

7. When can I submit my application?

Applications can be submitted now, visit our senior accredited membership webpage for further details and to apply.

You can find out more about the new accreditation routes and the eligibility requirements on our SCoPEd integration webpage.

8. What is the deadline for submitting transition period applications?

To apply for the revised senior accredited membership category using the transition accreditation route, you’ll need submit your application by 12 noon, on Friday 30 January.Ìý

9. If my application is deferred during the transition period, will I be able to resubmit it?Ìý

Yes, you will still have six months from the point of deferral to resubmit your application using the transition scheme and criteria.Ìý

10. If I’m unsuccessful during the transition period, will I be able to appeal? Ìý

Yes, you can appeal any decision within two months of being notified that your application was unsuccessful.

11. Is it better to apply for senior accreditation during the transition period or wait until the new schemes open in 2026?

It’s important that you feel ready to apply for senior accreditation when you prepare and submit your application. Whether that’s during the transition period or when the other routes open in February 2026 - it’ll depend on your eligibility and readiness to go through this process. From February 2026, the new accreditation routes will provide more opportunities for members who are not currently eligible to apply for senior accreditation, if they wish too.

A key aim of the accreditation schemes and the transition period is to enable members to move to the membership category that best aligns with their training, experience, knowledge and skills. Members will be able to apply for senior accreditation at any time during the transition or thereafter by evidencing they have met the senior accreditation standards.

All current ±«ÓãÊÓƵsenior accredited members will be able to continue to use the senior accredited title until their 2025 membership renewal date. At the time of your 2025 renewal from February onwards, if you've chosen not to apply for the revised senior accredited membership category, you'll become a ±«ÓãÊÓƵaccredited member aligned to column B of the SCoPEd framework.

Previous or current senior accredited members (awarded prior to 2023) can apply for the revised senior accredited membership category:

1. If you have a validated Level 7 (or equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification you can apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category during the transition period. There will be no costs associated with this for previous or current senior accredited members (awarded prior to 2023).
2. If you don’t have a validated Level 7 (or equivalent) counselling or psychotherapy qualification you’ll have the opportunity to apply for the new revised senior accredited membership category when our new accreditation routes are available from February 2026. You can find out more about the new accreditation routes and the eligibility requirements on our SCoPEd integration webpage.Ìý

If you’re a ±«ÓãÊÓƵaccredited or senior accredited member and also a UKCP or BPC member aligned to column C please contact our customer services team for more information about the process for you to move to the revised senior accredited membership category, if you wish to during the transition period.

12. When will the new accreditation routes open?

The new accreditation routes will open February 2026 and we’ll confirm the exact date to members in due course.

Visit our SCoPEd integration pages to find out about the new accreditation routes that will be available.

13. I’m in a different SCoPEd framework column to my supervisor, is that ok? 

Your supervisor doesn’t need to be aligned with a particular SCoPEd framework column to support your senior accreditation application however, they should have the necessary knowledge and skills needed for supervising work that aligns with the SCoPEd column C competences. They will also need to be familiar with the SCoPEd framework so they can comment on your overall competence for the Supervisor Statement they’ll complete as part of the application. Ìý

14. What if my supervisor is unaware of the SCoPEd framework and unable to confirm my overall competence?

°Õ³ó±ð SCoPEd framework is available to view on our website. If you’re considering applying for accreditation during the transition period, you may want to share the framework with your supervisor and explore with them how your competence aligns with the columns in the SCoPEd framework. where you are in terms of the competences.

°¿³Ü°ù Supervisor requirements FAQs may also provide useful information.

15. Who assesses the senior accreditation applications?

Our accreditation officers will check the applications when received to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and that we have all the information we need before allocating to an accreditation assessor, who are qualified practitioners. We also have a robust moderation process to ensure standardisation of assessment.Ìý

16. How long will it take to process my application?

We’re currently receiving a high number of applications. We’re processing these as quickly as possible but may take up to nine months to complete the assessment process. This may increase if your application is selected for moderation. This is an important part of our quality assurance process. We’re taking steps to address the situation and working as hard as we can for our members.

17. Will the new schemes make it harder to become senior accredited?

It’s important you feel ready to apply for senior accreditation when you prepare and submit your application. Whether that’s during the transition period or waiting for the new accreditation routes to open in February 2026. When you apply will depend on your eligibility and readiness to go through this process. From February 2026, the new accreditation routes will provide more opportunities for members who are not currently eligible to apply for senior accreditation, if they wish too.Ìý

A key aim of the accreditation schemes and the transition period is to enable members to move to the membership category that best aligns with their training, experience, knowledge and skills. Members are able to apply for accreditation at any time during the transition period or thereafter by evidencing they have met the relevant standards.

You can find out more about the new accreditation routes and the eligibility requirements on our SCoPEd integration webpage.

Contact us

Please contact customer services if you have any further questions.