PC-L5 and Your Career Progression via the SCoPEd Framework: Your pathway from core training to professional accreditation

We’ve recently reviewed our Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5) qualification and have made some updates to make sure it remains professionally relevant and reflects current best practice.
Since PC-L5 was developed, the counselling landscape has changed, with one of the most significant changes being the Scope of Practice and Education for Counselling and Psychotherapy (SCoPEd) framework designed by the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB). This framework explains the competences you should expect to find in good-quality counselling training. This framework then also sets out the competences and training requirements that align with different types of professional association membership categories and sorts them into different columns (A, B and C).

We are aware that many learners will be looking to develop in their training beyond Column A and therefore, in our review of the PC-L5 qualification we have mapped the learning outcomes and assessment criteria to all of the SCoPEd Column B competences, as well as reflecting new thinking and research findings in counselling practice areas such as diversity, working with risk and suicide, and digital therapy.

Why Choose the CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)?

Our updated PC-L5 continues to offer qualified counsellors the best opportunity to develop their careers, whether that is in independent practice or as a senior counsellor in an agency, or a combination of the two. It ensures that candidates understand the most up-to-date knowledge and research in counselling and, importantly, that they will have straightforward access to Column B aligned membership categories, including accredited membership with the main professional associations in counselling and psychotherapy.

Whether you’re aiming to gain accreditation, explore new areas of professional practice, gain enhanced employment opportunities, or move into higher education, PC-L5 is a great choice.

Easy Entry

If you’ve completed the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or another Level 4 or above counselling qualification of at least 300 guided learning hours (GLH) that aligns with SCoPEd Column A, you meet our entry requirements for PC-L5.

Higher Education Progression

PC-L5 opens doors to university-level study. For example, together with CBT-L5, it can give you a 60-credit exemption for Module D241 (Exploring Mental Health and Counselling) in Stage 2 of the Open University BSc (Hons) Counselling.

Contact the Open University, or your chosen HE institution directly to discuss credit transfer options.

Alignment to SCoPEd Column B

PC-L5 is aligned to SCoPEd Column B competences. With sufficient supervised practice hours this provides candidates with a route to membership and accreditation with professional associations in counselling approved by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) e.g. BACP, NCPS, ACC.

For example, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s (BACP) Route 2 (Recognition of Prior Learning) to Accredited Member, or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society’s (NCPS) route to Accredited Professional Registrant.

Where Do CPCAB Qualifications Sit in the SCoPEd Framework?

CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4)

• Aligns with SCoPEd Column A
• Provides entry to PSA Accredited Registers
• Forms the core training foundation for further progression

CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)

• Aligns with SCoPEd Column B competences
• Supports your application for accredited membership of PSA recognised professional associations (e.g. BACP, NCPS, ACC)

Final Thoughts: A Clear Path from Level 4 to Column B

CPCAB provides a structured, supported training journey from your core qualification (TC-L4) through to advanced practice and accreditation. The PC-L5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling gives you:

• A pathway to Column B accreditation
• Evidence to support your competence via a validated portfolio
• Recognition for your training and professional practice
• Progression to higher education or specialist practice

If you're ready to take the next step in your counselling career, PC-L5 can help you get there. All you need to do is take a look at the helpful Centre Finder on the CPCAB website to find a centre offering PC-L5 near you. Alternatively, if you have no nearby centres the Centre Finder will help you find one that teaches PC-L5 online.