Is the course BACP-accredited? Will my professional body recognise it?

At a Glance

This is the most common question we receive — and the answer needs care. BACP does not accredit any CPD or supervision training courses in the UK. No supervision course can claim to be "BACP accredited" because that accreditation does not exist for supervision training.

This course is mapped to the BACP supervision competence framework, follows the BACP Counselling Supervision Training Curriculum, and holds NCPS Quality Checked recognition.

What this actually means

Three different things sometimes get confused. Let's untangle them:

"BACP accredited"

This phrase doesn't apply to supervision training. BACP is an ethical body — they accredit individual practitioners and approve some training courses (mostly initial qualifications), but they do not accredit any CPD or supervision training in the UK. If a provider claims their supervision course is "BACP accredited," that claim is incorrect.

"Mapped to the BACP supervision competence framework"

This is what our course holds. The course follows the BACP Counselling Supervision Training Curriculum and includes BACP optional additional subject area 13 (online and telephone supervision competencies). Practically, this means our learning outcomes align with what BACP says good supervision training should cover.

"NCPS Quality Checked"

This is a separate recognition from a different professional body. The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) has audited our materials and approved them — and the Quality Checked logo appears on every completion certificate. Our course is also mapped to the NCPS good practice guide for supervision.

Will it be accepted by your professional body?

For UK counsellors:

• BACP members — the course is suitable as preparation toward BACP accredited supervisor status (where you apply individually). Mapping to the BACP framework supports this.

• NCPS members — fully Quality Checked and mapped to NCPS good practice.

• COSCA members — the course is widely accepted; check directly with COSCA for any specific recognition requirements.

For international practitioners — please check with your own professional body. Counselling theory and supervision frameworks travel well, but recognition rules vary.

A note on transparency

We explain this clearly and patiently because the sector as a whole does a poor job of it. Some providers leave the misconception in place because it suits them. We would rather be transparent and earn your trust than overclaim and lose it.

Want to know more?

You can see full course details — including upcoming start dates and current pricing — at the Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision page.

If you have a specific question we haven't answered here, email us at support@counsellingtutor.com — a real person will reply within 24 hours.