A revised senior accreditation scheme (aligned to column C of the SCoPEd framework) is now available for accredited members who wish to apply for senior accredited membership, and current senior accredited members who wish to apply for the new senior accreditation scheme.   

Current senior accredited members

Our current senior accredited membership category doesn’t align with the SCoPEd framework column C standards.  

This means all existing senior accredited members will move to the accredited membership category, aligned to column B in the SCoPEd framework, at the time of their membership renewal date between February 2025 and January 2026. 

You’ll still be able to: 

  • provide all the services you currently do 
  • practise competences in other SCoPEd columns providing you have the right skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so 

This is in line with our existing Ethical Framework, which states that BACP members must work within the limits of their competence. 

From February 2024 until February 2027, you’ll be able to apply for the revised senior accredited membership category, which will enable you to promote your alignment to the SCoPEd framework column C standards within your advertising materials. 

For more information please visit our Where will I be represented in the SCoPEd framework web page.   

Benefits of senior accredited membership

All your existing member benefits plus:

  • use of the designatory letters 'MBACP (Snr Accred)'
  • a certificate of accreditation and a unique logo that you can use to promote your practice

Requirements

To apply during the transition period you’ll need to meet our revised senior accredited member eligibility requirements and complete an application form. You’ll need to provide details including: 

  • evidence you have a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification 
  • evidence of personal therapy or personal development work you have engaged in that has contributed to self-awareness and is applicable to therapeutic practice
  • a personal statement giving evidence against a range of criteria that reflect the different competences within the SCoPEd framework
  • a Supervisor’s statement 

You can find out more about the eligibility requirements and application details through our senior accreditation application web page.

If you are a BACP accredited member or a current BACP senior accredited member and also a UKCP or BPC member and are aligned to column C of the SCoPEd framework with one of those partners, please contact our customer services team for more information about the process to move to our revised senior accredited membership category, if you wish to. 

Following the transition period, which is expected to finish in early 2026, new senior accreditation routes will be available, which will consider training and CPD alongside other existing skills and experience. 

Current Senior accredited members without a Level 7 or equivalent counselling or psychotherapy qualification will be able to take advantage of this route for free from early 2026 until early 2027. More details of the routes will be made available in due course. 

Commitments

As a BACP member, you agree to abide by our Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and our Professional Conduct Procedure. You had to read and agree to these as part of your original membership application. 

You should also read our Membership policies and protocols

As a senior accredited member, you must agree to the terms and conditions of the BACP Register. You'll have to recommit to these every year when you renew your membership online.  

How to apply

To apply for the revised senior accreditation application you’ll need to complete the application form.  

There are separate application forms for accredited members and current senior accredited members who wish to apply.  

You can find out more about how to apply through our senior accreditation application web page.

We believe all members should have equal access to apply for accreditation. If you identify as living with a disability or learning difference, we can offer additional support to help remove any barriers you may experience with the application process.  

Costs

Membership subscriptions run for a year and are reviewed annually. 

If you’re receiving certain state benefits or have no personal income, you may be entitled to pay a reduced fee. You'll need to select this option when you renew online. See our Reduced fee policy.

If you're a UK tax payer, you may be eligible to claim tax relief on your membership fees.

Find out more...