Frequently Asked Questions
We're currently compiling a list of frequently asked questions and will keep adding to it as we get asked. If you've got a question that hasn't been answered here please email it to us.
Q: What is the difference between CPCAB and BACP?
A: CPCAB is a Nationally Approved “awarding body” (which means an examining board like Edexcel) whereas BACP is a professional body which represents the interests of counsellors. Awarding bodies can design, offer, assess and certificate qualifications. CPCAB is a specialist awarding body offering qualifications in counselling. Approved means that CPCAB can offer qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework and is regulated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) - a government organisation responsible for standards in education and training which regulates all national qualifications including GCSEs and A levels.
BACP is a professional organisation which represents the interests of the counselling profession. As such it has a role in setting standards (the most well known being BACP accreditation of counsellors) and registering counsellor/supervisors etc, protecting the public, hearing complaints and interacting with society at large. BACP also approves course content (hence BACP accredited courses) but they cannot award qualifications and they are not externally regulated. In practice therefore BACP accredited courses may also be national qualifications or they may not.
It can be very confusing!
Q: How many credits do your qualifications hold?
A: Qualifications on the NQF do not currently have “credit” attached to them because they are not part of the Higher Education Framework. Level 4 and above are regarded as Higher Level qualifications on the NQF. Level 4 is approximately equivalent to HE Level C i.e. Certificate of Higher Education. However, the new qualifications framework which is currently being trialed by QCA will be both unitised and credit based. In the meantime, CPCAB has applied separately for a credit rating with the Open University. Our Level 4 Diploma is valued at 120 credits.
Q: How do CPCAB qualifications equate to Higher Education (HE) level qualifications? I want to transfer them to a university level course.
A: In the absence of a formal credit structure (see answer above), each HE College or University is a separate organisation and as such will place different values on our qualifications. Therefore it is best to contact the institution you're apply to and ask what their requirements are. It is likely that they will ask what counselling qualifications you have completed and want to see your portfolio(s).
Q: I have just completed CPCAB's xxxx qualification. What letters can I put after my name?
A: It is not usual to put anything after your name until the level of “licence to practice” has been reached. This will be Level 4 for CPCAB candidates. The normal letters for the Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) is “Dip Couns”, and for the Diploma in Supervision “Dip Sup”. There would not normally be any separate “letters” for PC-L5 as the important point is reaching the level of licence to practice.
Qualifications below level 4 would not normally be listed but there would be no objection to “Cert Couns Skills” (CSK-L2) or “Cert Couns Studies” (CST-L3).
Q: I am told that BACP accreditation is universally recognised, but I wanted to check about your accreditation?
A: CPCAB is an awarding body and not a membership organisation. Our qualifications are mapped to BACP standards for individual counsellor accreditation, key standards, therefore once you are proficient in certain CPCAB qualifications, you will be able to apply for individual accreditation with BACP. For more information on applying for accreditation with BACP please visit their website.
Q: How do I go about becoming a member of BACP?
Q: I am moving to another country, where I will be seeking employment or wishing to engage in further study. How will CPCAB qualifications be rated in terms of equivalence in that country?
A: In terms of the equivalence of qualifications from one country to another, there is currently no coherent accreditation framework in place across the European Union (EU), but instead a variety of patchwork and ad hoc approaches. This applies to most types of qualification (in many different vocational fields), not just to CPCAB qualifications.
However, in the UK there is a body called the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) who, despite their name, also deal with vocationally-related qualifications (such as those offered by CPCAB). There is an equivalent to NARIC in each EU country (and in some countries outside the EU) - the contact details for these organisations can be obtained by phoning UK NARIC on 01242 260010 or by visiting their website at www.naric.org.uk.
In general, each country has the responsibility to assess awards themselves. Therefore the acceptance of a qualification is normally dealt with by the relevant authority in the country that the holder of the qualification is going to. In Europe the NARIC/ENIC agency in the country concerned should be contacted for further advice (otherwise contact the relevant embassy or Ministry of Education for assistance).
CPCAB has supplied UK NARIC with information concerning CPCAB qualifications, and they should therefore be able to supply that information to all other Euro-NARICs. Thus, if you are seeking to have a CPCAB qualification rated in terms of local equivalence in a particular country, you will need to contact the local NARIC in the country concerned and send them:
- a photocopy of the CPCAB certificate/diploma concerned;
- a photocopy of the relevant learning-record / mark-sheet, together with an official translation into the language of the country concerned;
- a covering letter written by yourself (giving your full contact details).
The 'NARIC' in that country should then - if they follow the pattern of UK NARIC - issue you with a Certificate of Comparability, a kind of official letter which should formally state the locally-equivalent qualification.
Q: What qualifications do I need to become a counsellor?
A: Counselling is still not a regulated profession so there are no statutory qualifications for becoming a counsellor. However, it is universally accepted in the counselling world that a diploma in counselling (usually at least level 4 eg TC-L4) is the minimum level of training for any counselling role. This is currently under discussion and could change to a higher level when the conditions for regulation are introduced. BACP has worked hard to set minimum standards and to offer guidelines to employers. In practice, most paid counselling posts will require practitioners to either be already accredited with BACP or working towards accreditation. To be accredited with BACP you must have at least a diploma in counselling and several years practitioner experience. Please contact them for further details.
