FAQ - Frequently asked questions

CPCAB offers qualifications which are assessed to a national standard. These qualifications are regulated by Ofqual in England, Qualifications Wales in Wales and CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland.

Centres have to be approved by CPCAB in order to run CPCAB qualifications and successful candidates are awarded CPCAB certificates at the end of the course. However, the course itself is owned by the centre and since every course is unique, centres have to individually apply to BACP for course accreditation. This applies no matter who awards the qualification and no matter whether the course is delivered in FE, HE or in a private training centre.

Some CPCAB centres have chosen to apply for BACP course accreditation, others have not seen the need since candidates with CPCAB qualifications can join BACP, apply for individual accreditation and join professional body registers once they have completed the necessary practice hours. 

However, as an alternative CPCAB and BACP have created a qualification partnership called ‘The Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification’ (APQ), which centres can opt into, offers candidates a swifter route to BACP registered membership upon qualification, from which they can apply for BACP accredited membership once they can demonstrate the required standards. APQ candidates do still sit the BACP Certificate of Proficiency, but are supported by their centres to do so, rather than having to arrange to sit it themselves after qualifying.