Membership Eligibility

The CPCA Student Member has:

  • A completed application with signed attestations that they will abide by the CPCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice  
  • Enrolled in an Accredited College or University Counselling Program 
  • The counselling program must have 1100 hours of counselling psychology theory and training 
  • A submitted Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check 
  • 120 hours of counselling experience and learning in a qualified supervised practicum 
  • Minimum Instructor's Qualifications: Master’s level or equivalency in the counselling field and 8 years of counselling experience. 
  • This membership is not a practicing designation 
  • This membership has benefits – significant savings on the application fee and the qualifying exam fee

The RPC Provisional Member has:

  • The Registered Professional Counsellor - Provisional designation is aligned with the Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • Completed application with signed attestations to abide by the CPCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and to work with their scope of practice.
  • Successful completion of an approved education program or have completed the course work to cover all CPCA Core Competencies for entry to practice in the Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • Copy of training certificate(s) plus original transcripts from educational institution(s) with 1100 hours of counselling psychology theory and training 
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Proof or verification of supervised practicum (if not on transcript) 
  • Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (not more than 6-month-old) 
  • The RPC Provisional applicant must have no founded complaints with any licensing body 
  • Successful completion of Qualifying Exam for Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice.  
  • A signed Contract with a qualified and approved Counselling Supervisor or RQS (Registered Qualified Supervisor) for RPC Provisional Internship 
  • Proof of Liability Insurance 

The RPC (Full Status) Member has:

  • The Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC) designation is aligned with the Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • Completed an application or upgrade form with signed attestations that they will abide by the CPCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and to work within their scope of practice. 
  • Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice Education:  Successful completion of an approved education program with 1100 hours of counselling psychology theory and training in the Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice.  
  • Two letters of recommendation from qualified mental health professionals with personal knowledge of the applicant’s counselling skills  
  • The RPC applicant must have no founded complaints with any licensing body 
  • Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (not more than 6-month-old) 
  • Requires a minimum of 600 hours of counselling/therapy practice under counselling supervision by a Registered Qualified Supervisor (RQS) or Qualified Counselling Supervisor.  
  • These 600 hours must include a minimum of:  (a) 150 counselling supervision hours, (b) 250 direct client contact hours and (c) 200 hours of professional practice or currency hours related to their client work. 
  • Successful completion of the Qualifying Exam in the Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • Proof of Liability Insurance 

The MPCC Provisional Member has:

  • The Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling - Provisional member designation is aligned with the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • Completed application with signed attestations that they will abide by the CPCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and to work with their scope of practice. 
  • Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice Education:  Successful completion of approved education program or have completed the course work to cover all CPCA Core Competencies for entry to practice into the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice which includes clinical mental health education which must include:  (1) Training/Education in DSM-5-TR, (2) Training/Education in Assessment with Differential Diagnosis, (3) Training/Education in Pharmacology for mental health 
  • Copy of training certificate(s) plus original transcripts from educational institution(s) with 1100 hours of counselling psychology theory and training, inclusive of clinical counselling mental health education  
  • Proof or verification of supervised practicum (if not on transcript) 
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (not more than 6-month-old) 
  • The Applicant must have no founded complaints with any licensing body 
  • Successful completion of the CPCA Qualifying Exam in the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • A signed contract with an RQS (Registered Qualified Supervisor) or approved Counselling Supervisor for MPCC Provisional Internship 
  • Proof of Liability Insurance 

The MPCC Member has:

  • The Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling (MPCC) member designation is aligned with the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice 
  • A completed application or upgrade form with signed attestations that they will abide by the CPCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice  
  • Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice Education which includes the successful completion of an approved education program with 1100 hours of counselling psychology theory and training, inclusive of Clinical Mental Health Education associated with the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice (i.e. Training in DSM-5-TR, Assessment with Differential Diagnosis, and Pharmacology for Therapists, etc.) 
  • Requires a minimum of 600 hours of counselling/psychotherapy practice under counselling supervision by a Registered Qualified Supervisor (RQS) or Qualified Counselling Supervisor.  
  • These 600 hours include a minimum of: (1) 150 counselling supervision hours, (2) 250 direct client contact hours and (3) 200 hours of professional practice or currency hours. 
  • The MPCC applicant must have no founded complaints with any licensing body
  • Two letters of recommendation from qualified mental health professionals with personal knowledge of the applicant’s clinical skills 
  • Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (not more than 6 months old) 
  • Successful completion of CPCA Qualifying Exam in the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice. 
  • Proof of Liability Insurance 

The RQS Provisional  member has:

  • The Registered Qualified Supervisor -Provisional (RQS Provisional) is an added designation 
  • Already have an RPC or MPCC designation and active in the counselling profession for a minimum of 8 out of the last 10 years  
  • Completed application to become an RQS with signed attestations that they will abide by the CPCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and work within their scope of practice.  
  • The RQS applicant must have no founded complaints with any licensing body 
  • Completed a minimum of 30 hours of specific education in counselling supervision, including at least one ‘Ethics in Supervision’ course no older than three years.  
  • Submit three RQS Recommendation Forms from other clinicians, of which one is from their clinical supervisor, substantiating professional recognition of counselling knowledge and practical skills.  
  • Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (not more than 6-month-old) 

The RQS  (Registered Qualified Supervisor) member has:

  • The Registered Qualified Supervisor (RQS) is an added designation with full status.
  • Already have an RPC or MPCC designation and active in the counselling profession for a minimum of 8 out of the last 10 years  
  • Completed application to become an RQS with signed attestations.  
  • The RQS applicant must have no founded complaints with any licensing body 
  • Completed a minimum of 30 hours of specific education in counselling supervision.  
  • The RQS has obtained the 100 hours of supervision experience with 10 hours of supervision specific to the provision of 100 hours of supervision.  Documentation of these hours are submitted with the application or obtained during provisional status. 
  • Submit three RQS Recommendation Forms from other clinicians, of which one is from their clinical supervisor, substantiating professional recognition of counselling knowledge and practical skills.  
  • Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (not more than 6-month-old) 
  • An individual may apply directly for RQS designation if they can provide documentation of:  (1) 30 hours of education specific to counselling/clinical supervision and (2) documentation for a minimum of 100 hours of supervision experience.  

The CPCA is a unique counselling association because the CPCA is the only counselling association that adheres to a Competency Based Model. In short, you can have a varied educational background and still be eligible to become a CPCA Member, as long as you have successfully completed the Educational Core Competencies to become any of the following designations:

  • RPC or RPC Provisional in the Mental Health Counselling Scope of Practice
  • MPCC or MPCC Provisional in the Clinical Counselling Scope of Practice

If you are enrolled in or have graduated from any approved programs, you are eligible to apply.  Please choose option #3 and submit your application.

If you are not sure if your education is eligible for membership, you have 3 options:

 

 If you are not sure if your education is eligible for membership, you have 3 options:

 

1. Use the CPCA Education Self-Assessment Tool

You can use this tool (at no cost) and you should have a clear sense of whether you meet the educational core competencies to apply to the CPCA. Please note that completing this document is not a guaranteed membership with the CPCA, but it will give you clarity as to whether you may or may not need further education or specific courses to be eligible for membership. This tool also helps for educational planning.

                               

2. Submit a CPCA Education Substantiation Form

You can request that the CPCA do an Educational Review for you at a (non-refundable) cost of $75 (plus $5 admin fee + taxes). This is done by submitting the CPCA Substantiating Education form. It needs to be filled out completely, and saved to your computer. Then submit it along with all course outlines to registrar@thecpca.ca requesting a CPCA Educational Review. Payment is sent to payment@thecpca.ca with password: education

         

3. Submit an Application

You can submit a CPCA Membership Application and learn more about the application process by going to the CPCA Membership Application page. Applications have a $150 (+ $5 admin fee + taxes) non-refundable application processing fee. As a part of your application, it is possible that an Educational Review may still need to be submitted, but it will be done as a part of your application process without additional fees.




Membership Eligibility is based on the CPCA Education Core Competencies.  

As part of our regulatory framework of certification, all professional counsellors of the CPCA must have these minimum core competencies for best practice and the protection of the public.

Once membership eligibility is determined, successful completion of the CPCA Qualifying Exam (QE) is required.


  International Education

If an applicant is unsure of whether their international degree or education meets the requirements outlined above because it has been completed internationally, the applicant must have an Education Equivalency Evaluation completed by World Education Services (WES) and include the WES documentation with their application for membership.