Counsellor Criteria

Education & Experience Requirements to Become an ACCT Member

ACCT is home to counsellors across Canada who demonstrate competency and excellence in the counselling profession. ACCT is a self-regulating professional association and provides guidance and support for its members and safeguards the public through high standards of professional conduct.

Membership with ACCT requires that all members must READ and AGREE to follow each of the requirements:

Please review the following criteria to for becoming a member of ACCT. More detailed application information can be found on the Application Process.

Student ASSOCIATE Applicant

Student Associate applicants must be currently registered in an applied counselling training program that meets current ACCT education criteria, with a minimum of 3 months remaining in their program until graduation. Student Associates do not yet have a designation with ACCT and should not use the ACCT badge or logo on their promotional materials or social media sites. Student Associates are non-voting members of ACCT, and are not required to pay the $100 Share Fee until they become an RTCc or RTC Member. Student Associates may attend meetings and join the community, however they are unable to vote or be elected to the Board or join any ACCT committees until they become an RTCc or RTC Member. 

Student Associates do not qualify for liability insurance under the ACCT group plan.

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor - Candidate, RTCc

Note: Qualified applicants who reside in Ontario or Nova Scotia will be granted the title of “ACc” (Accredited Counsellor Candidate) while those in other provinces will be granted the title of "RTCc"  (Registered Therapeutic Counsellor Candidate).

This category of membership is for those graduates who have satisfied the educational/training requirements for registration as an RTC/AC and but have not yet attained the Direct Client Contact (DCC) hours required to apply for RTC. 

Applicants must hold a certificate or diploma that includes a minimum of 500 education hours or hold a bachelor's degree, postgraduate certificate, master’s degree or Ph.D. in counselling or a related field from a registered or accredited school.

One qualifying program must cover training in a minimum of six of the eight topic areas listed below and must include the first three bolded areas.  Any outstanding topic areas (a maximum of two) that were not covered within the program can be fulfilled as stand-alone courses. A stand-alone course must be a minimum of 30 hours of classroom education from a recognized registered or accredited private training institution or college/university.

  1. Basic Counselling Skills including Clinical Assessment
  2. Counselling Ethics and Ethical Practice including Effective Use of Self 
  3. Models of Therapy
  4. Individual, Couples, Family and Group Counselling Methods
  5. Trauma and Abuse
  6. Documentation
  7. Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  8. Human Development including Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology and DSM

RTCc/ACcs have attained a minimum of 50 direct client contact hours (see Definition of Direct Client Contact) and 25 clinical supervision hours (as per the ACCT Criteria for Supervisors) which may include practicum experience, and/or paid or unpaid work experience in a counselling related capacity conducted within the last five years.

**Important Note: RTCc/ACcs status shall not exceed 2 years. The RTCc/ACc is entitled to receive professional liability insurance through the ACCT group plan and offer therapeutic counselling at a reduced rate of no more than 70% of the industry rate for the counsellor’s particular geographical area, per session. The RTCc must be under direct supervision.  As an RTCc your services may not be covered by ACCT agreements with third-party insurance companies or benefits providers.  Once you are eligible and have advanced to the RTC designation your services may be covered by the ACCT agreements in place.

Proof of Insurance: If you do not yet have insurance you must provide a hand-signed, dated letter confirming that you will provide evidence of insurance within six weeks of being approved as a member OR evidence of insurance, if you are already covered for liability insurance.  

Please Note: NEW Counsellors, once you've been approved and have received your membership number you may then apply for one of the two ACCT liability insurance programs.  ACCT offers two options for liability insurance, click here for details:  Liability Insurance Options with ACCT.  You have six weeks from the date you are approved to submit your proof of liability insurance.

 

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, RTC

Note: Qualified applicants who reside in Ontario or Nova Scotia will be granted the title of “AC” (Accredited Counsellor) while those in other provinces will be granted the title of "RTC"  (Registered Therapeutic Counsellor).

RTC/AC Applicants must hold a certificate or diploma that includes a minimum of 500 education hours or hold a bachelor's degree, postgraduate certificate, master’s degree or Ph.D. in counselling or a related field from a registered or accredited school.

One qualifying program must cover training in a minimum of six of the eight topic areas listed below and must include the first three bolded areas.  Any outstanding topic areas (a maximum of two) that were not covered within the program can be fulfilled as stand-alone courses. A stand-alone course must be a minimum of 30 hours of classroom education from a recognized registered or accredited private training institution or college/university.

  1. Basic Counselling Skills including Clinical Assessment
  2. Counselling Ethics and Ethical Practice including Effective Use of Self 
  3. Models of Therapy
  4. Individual, Couples, Family and Group Counselling Methods
  5. Trauma and Abuse
  6. Documentation
  7. Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  8. Human Development including Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology and DSM

RTC/ACs have attained a minimum of 200 direct client contact hours (see Definition of Direct Client Contact) and 50 clinical supervision hours (as per the ACCT Criteria for Supervisors) which may include practicum experience, and/or paid or unpaid work experience in a counselling related capacity conducted within the last five years.

Proof of Insurance: If you do not yet have insurance you must provide a hand-signed, dated letter confirming that you will provide evidence of insurance within six weeks of being approved as a member OR evidence of insurance, if you are already covered for liability insurance.  

Please Note: NEW Counsellors, once you've been approved and have received your membership number you may then apply for one of the two ACCT liability insurance programs.  ACCT offers two options for liability insurance, click here for details:  Liability Insurance Options with ACCT.  You have six weeks from the date you are approved to submit your proof of liability insurance.

 

Master Therapeutic Counsellor, MTC

Note: Qualified applicants who reside in Ontario or Nova Scotia will be granted the title of “MAC” (Master Accredited Counsellor) while those in other provinces will be granted the title of "MTC"  (Master Therapeutic Counsellor).

MTC Applicants must hold a certificate or diploma that includes a minimum of 500 education hours or hold a bachelor's degree, postgraduate certificate, master’s degree or Ph.D. in counselling or a related field from a registered or accredited school.

One qualifying program must cover training in a minimum of six of the eight topic areas listed below and must include the first three bolded areas.  Any outstanding topic areas (a maximum of two) that were not covered within the program can be fulfilled as stand-alone courses. A stand-alone course must be a minimum of 30 hours of classroom education from a recognized registered or accredited private training institution or college/university.

  1. Basic Counselling Skills including Clinical Assessment
  2. Counselling Ethics and Ethical Practice including Effective Use of Self 
  3. Models of Therapy
  4. Individual, Couples, Family and Group Counselling Methods
  5. Trauma and Abuse
  6. Documentation
  7. Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  8. Human Development including Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology and DSM

MTCs/MACs must have attained a minimum of 1,000 direct client contact hours  (see Definition of Direct Client Contact)  under the supervision of a qualified supervisor (as per the ACCT Criteria for Supervisors), 500 of these hours need to be completed in Canada

MTCs/MACs must have 5 years of experience in counselling practice in a private or agency setting post-graduation as an RTC or an equivalent designation from another association or provincial college within five (5) of the last seven (7) years. 

MTCs/MACs must have attained a minimum of 100 clinical supervision hours by a qualified supervisor (as per the ACCT Criteria for Supervisors). ACCT recommends: That a minimum of 50 of the 100 supervision hours be individual, dyadic or triadic in order to comply with industry standards.

Proof of Insurance: If you do not yet have insurance you must provide a hand-signed, dated letter confirming that you will provide evidence of insurance within six weeks of being approved as a member OR evidence of insurance, if you are already covered for liability insurance.  

Please Note: NEW Counsellors, once you've been approved and have received your membership number you may then apply for one of the two ACCT liability insurance programs.  ACCT offers two options for liability insurance, click here for details:  Liability Insurance Options with ACCT.  You have six weeks from the date you are approved to submit your proof of liability insurance.

RTCs/ACs may add the designation MTC/MAC to their RTC designation by meeting the above criteria.

 

Registered Counselling Supervisor

RCS' have extensive professional experience, including 5 years of Registered practice as an RTC or equivalent, or a combination of five years registration between ACCT and other counselling association(s)/provincial college(s). 

Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a practicing counsellor,

Required to have accumulated a minimum of 1000 hours of direct client contact

Must have received a minimum of 150 hours of supervision, as per the ACCT Criteria for Supervisors.

Required to have completed an approved 30 hour supervisor training program 

Retired Member

Retired Members have been Members in good standing with ACCT for a minimum of 1 year and must own a membership share.

Retired Members may not charge for counselling services, including working with individuals, couples, families, groups, or provide training.

Note: As professionals in the field of counselling therapy, whether using our skills in a paid or unpaid setting, we are liable for the services we provide. Volunteers may be covered by the agency or organization’s liability insurance program within which they provide professional services.

It is mandatory that retired professionals hold liability insurance (within an organization or independently) and professional standing when working in a volunteer setting.

Important: Applicants Residing in Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec

Due to the protected acts in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec, ACCT will be unable to offer registration (ACc, AC, MAC or RCS) to counsellors who reside in one of these provinces unless they meet one of the following:

  • Currently registered with a provincial college whose members may practice counselling or psychotherapy (a copy of your current registration certificate will need to be included with your ACCT application); or

  • Currently, have an application in process with a provincial college whose members may practice counselling or psychotherapy and have been granted a waiver by that college to continue counselling during the application process (proof of application to the college and waiver will need to be included with your ACCT application).

Note: If your application is in process with an applicable Provincial College, you will have up to one year to provide ACCT with your college registration certificate in order to maintain your ACCT registration.

In order for counsellors who reside in Ontario to hold registration with ACCT, who are NOT a member of CRPO or an Ontario College whose members are permitted to practice psychotherapy, they will need to meet the following criteria:

  1. Meet all ACCT registration criteria, Plus; 
  2. Identify as a spiritual or pastoral counsellor, or as a chaplain, religious minister or priest  
  3. Have relevant training as a spiritual or pastoral counsellor
  4. Only counsel or accept referrals from clients who request spiritual or pastoral counselling  
  5. Meet one of the following criteria:
    1. Be employed (or volunteer) in the capacity of a: spiritual, pastoral or ministry counsellor OR
    2. Be a member of Canadian Pastoral or Association for Spiritual Care or the like
  1. Provide to ACCT the following:
    1. Proof of being employed (or volunteering) in the capacity of a: spiritual, pastoral or ministry counsellor in the form of a letter from your employer (NOTE: self-employment does not count towards this criteria)
    2. Provide a copy of your membership and current registration from a Canadian Pastoral or Association for Spiritual Care or the like, if applicable
    3. Provide a signed affidavit that confirms items 1 to 4 above

Important Information About ACc and AC Designations

Due to the presence of protected acts in these provinces, ACCT is unable to offer registration (ACc, AC, MAC, or RCS) to counsellors living in Ontario, New Brunswick, or Quebec unless one of the following applies:

1. Registration with a Provincial Regulatory College

  • You are currently registered with a provincial college whose members are authorized to practise counselling or psychotherapy.
     ➤ A copy of your current registration certificate must be included with your ACCT application.

2. Application in Progress with a Provincial Regulatory College
  • You currently have an application in process with a provincial college whose members are authorized to practise counselling or psychotherapy.
  • You have been granted a waiver by that college to continue counselling during the application process.
     ➤ You must include proof of both your application and the waiver with your ACCT application.

Note: If your application with a provincial college is in progress, you will have up to one year to submit your registration certificate to ACCT in order to maintain your registration.

Special Requirements for Ontario Residents Not Registered with CRPO

If you live in Ontario and are not a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or any other Ontario college whose members are permitted to practise psychotherapy, you must meet all of the following criteria in order to register with ACCT:

  1. Meet all standard ACCT registration requirements.

  2. Identify as one of the following:

    • Spiritual or pastoral counsellor
    • Chaplain, religious minister, or priest

  3. Have relevant training in spiritual or pastoral counselling.

  4. Only accept clients who are specifically seeking spiritual or pastoral counselling.

  5. Meet one of the following:

    • Be employed (or volunteer) as a spiritual, pastoral, or ministry counsellor; or
    • Be a member of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (or a similar organization).

  6. Provide the following documentation to ACCT:

    • A letter from your employer confirming your role as a spiritual, pastoral, or ministry counsellor.
       (Note: Self-employment does not fulfill this criterion.)
    • A copy of your membership and current registration with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (or similar), if applicable.
    • A signed affidavit confirming that you meet items 1 to 4 above.

Canadians living abroad

Canadian citizens or permanent residents living and conducting counselling abroad for an extended period of time be given the opportunity to apply for registration provided:

  1. They can attain the necessary professional liability coverage for their practice.
  2. Have a Canadian address that can be used to send correspondence.
  3. Attain a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Statement from Canada as well as from the country they are currently residing in.

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Contact Us: 1-844-369-ACCT(2228)