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Certification

Overview of Certification

            At present the counselling profession in Canada is not regulated by a statutory process except in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. In 1986, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) established a credentialing service for its members:  Canadian Certified Counsellors: A National Certification Program for Professional Counsellors. 

            The counsellor certification is a national service that identifies to the public those counsellors who CCPA recognizes as qualified to provide counselling services in Canada. Obtaining the status of Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) includes recognition of standards of professional preparation, continuing education, and a formal code of ethics. As a self-regulating body, CCPA provides advice and discipline for certified members on matters of professional conduct.

            Only counsellors who are certified by CCPA are permitted to use the protected title Canadian Certified Counsellor and/or the acronym 'CCC'.  They also receive a certificate which their clients should expect to see displayed at the place of work.

            Certification with CCPA is different from membership with CCPA. This distinction between membership and certification is for the benefit of the public.  Certification represents a successful evaluation of a member's qualification to practice. Membership does not. Should you wish to use a qualification designation from CCPA, you must seek certification, which will permit the use of the letters CCC as the appropriate statement about qualifications to practice counselling.

Read on or click here for a comprehensive guide to membership and certification.

Click here to download a PDF version of our C.C.C. brochure.

INSURANCE with CCPA CCPA certified members are entitled to discount rates on professional liability insurance. Members can also apply for home, automobile and life insurance. Click here for more details
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