Clinically reviewed by Jonathan Wieser, MA MFT, RCC, RMFT, Approved Clinical Supervisor. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026.
If you are looking for a counsellor in BC, you may have wondered: who checks that this person is actually qualified? It is a fair question, and the answer is more nuanced than most people expect. It is also changing right now. This article explains how counselling regulation currently works in British Columbia, what the new Health Professions and Occupations Act means, and how to choose a qualified counsellor with confidence today.
The Short Answer
As of October 2026, counselling is not a government regulated profession in BC. Anyone can legally call themselves a counsellor or therapist, regardless of training. That is changing: under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), individuals who wish to practise psychotherapy in BC must be licensed by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) starting November 29, 2027. Until then, voluntary designations such as Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) are the clearest sign of training, ethics, and accountability.
What Unregulated Has Meant in BC
In BC, some health professional titles are protected by law. You cannot call yourself a psychologist, social worker, nurse, or physician without registering with the appropriate regulatory body.
The titles counsellor, therapist, and psychotherapist have not been on that list. In practical terms, this has meant:
- A person with a weekend certificate and a person with a master’s degree and years of supervised practice could both advertise as a counsellor.
- There has been no government body to complain to if an unregistered counsellor acted unethically.
- The burden of checking qualifications has fallen on clients.
The scale is significant: CHCPBC notes there are more than 10,000 providers offering unregulated counselling and psychosocial support services in BC today. This does not mean most counsellors are unqualified. It means the title alone tells you very little, which is why credentials matter so much right now.
What Is Changing: The HPOA and CHCPBC
British Columbia has been modernizing how health professions are governed. Two milestones matter for counselling:
April 1, 2026: the HPOA came into force. The Health Professions and Occupations Act replaced BC’s older Health Professions Act. It is the legal framework that allows government to bring new professions, including psychotherapy, under regulation.
November 29, 2027: psychotherapy licensing begins. The Ministry of Health has mandated that individuals who wish to practise psychotherapy in BC must be licensed by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) starting November 29, 2027. CHCPBC is the same college that now oversees psychologists and several other health professions.
Timeline at a Glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| June 2024 | BC government announces consultation to designate psychotherapy as a regulated health profession |
| April 1, 2026 | Health Professions and Occupations Act comes into force |
| July to August 2026 | Ministry of Health holds a public consultation on a proposed new restricted activity for psychotherapy (closed August 5, 2026) |
| November 29, 2027 | Psychotherapy practitioners must be licensed by CHCPBC to practise psychotherapy in BC |
A few important details are still being finalized. The title, scope of practice, and any restricted activities for psychotherapy practitioners will be prescribed by the Ministry of Health in regulation (Part 10 of the Health and Care Professionals Regulation, which is not yet in force). Entry requirements, education standards, and pathways for experienced practitioners already in the field have not yet been published. CHCPBC has said it will share the licensure process as it becomes available, and we will update this article as new information is confirmed.
What the New Licensing Will and Will Not Cover
An important question many people ask: does this mean all counselling will require a licence in 2027? The honest answer is that the exact boundary has not been set yet. CHCPBC has stated that until the Ministry of Health’s regulation is finalized, it cannot say which services may still be performed by unregulated providers. What is clear so far:
- Psychotherapy practice will require CHCPBC licensure from November 29, 2027.
- In general, education, coaching, crisis intervention, and psychosocial support are not considered psychotherapy.
- The Ministry of Health has consulted on a proposed restricted activity intended to cover higher risk mental health services. That consultation closed on August 5, 2026, and the proposal is still under consideration.
For anyone choosing a counsellor, the practical takeaway does not change: credentials and accountability matter now, and they will matter even more as the new framework arrives.
Myth vs Fact
Myth: All therapists in BC are licensed.
Fact: No. As of 2026, counselling titles are not licensed in BC. Many counsellors hold strong voluntary credentials, but the title alone is not a guarantee.
Myth: An unregulated profession means no accountability.
Fact: Counsellors who register with professional associations agree to binding ethical codes and complaint processes. A Registered Clinical Counsellor, for example, is accountable to the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
Myth: Regulation in 2027 will remove all unqualified providers.
Fact: Licensing will apply to the practice of psychotherapy as defined in the coming regulation. Which services remain open to unregulated providers has not been determined yet, so checking credentials will remain important.
Where RCCs Fit: What BCACC Registration Means Today
A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). While this is a professional association rather than a government college, registration is not automatic. To become an RCC, a counsellor must:
- Hold a master’s degree in counselling or a closely related field
- Complete required graduate coursework in core counselling areas
- Document supervised clinical experience
- Agree to a code of ethical conduct and a formal complaints process
- Carry professional liability insurance and complete ongoing professional development
In other words, the RCC designation has functioned as a voluntary standard in the absence of government regulation, and it is one of the most widely recognized counselling credentials in BC. Many extended health plans specifically list RCCs as eligible providers for this reason.
How to Choose a Qualified Counsellor Right Now
Until regulation takes full effect, a short checklist protects you well:
- Ask about credentials. Look for RCC, CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor), RSW (Registered Social Worker), or R.Psych, and ask what the credential required.
- Verify the registration. BCACC has a public directory where you can confirm any RCC’s registration.
- Ask about their training for your concern. A credential is the floor, not the ceiling. Ask about experience with anxiety, trauma, couples work, or whatever brings you in.
- Check insurance eligibility. If you plan to use extended health benefits, confirm your plan covers the provider’s designation before booking.
- Trust your read on fit. Credentials establish safety and accountability. Fit is what makes therapy work, and it is okay to meet more than one counsellor before deciding.
Ready to Put That Checklist to Use?
Every counsellor at Sojourn is a Registered Clinical Counsellor or a supervised counselling intern working under RCC supervision. Each therapist profile lists credentials, training, and areas of focus, so you can check fit before you book. If cost is the barrier rather than credentials, our low cost counselling stream offers sessions with supervised interns at a reduced rate. You can view availability and book online, or contact us if you are unsure who to start with.
How Sojourn Approaches Professional Standards
At Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback in Cloverdale, Surrey, our counselling team is made up of Registered Clinical Counsellors, and our intern counsellors work under formal clinical supervision. You can review each counsellor’s credentials, experience, and approach on our counsellors page or read more about Registered Clinical Counselling at Sojourn, available in person at our Surrey counselling clinic and online across BC.
We follow the regulatory transition closely and will keep this page updated as CHCPBC confirms details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone call themselves a counsellor in BC today?
Yes. As of 2026, counsellor and therapist are not protected titles in BC, so legally anyone can use them. This is why voluntary credentials like RCC, which require a master’s degree and adherence to ethical standards, are the most reliable indicator of qualification right now.
When does psychotherapy become a licensed profession in BC?
Starting November 29, 2027, individuals who wish to practise psychotherapy in BC must be licensed by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC, as mandated by the Ministry of Health. The title, scope of practice, and any restricted activities will be set out in regulation before that date.
Will Registered Clinical Counsellors become regulated psychotherapists?
Many RCCs are expected to seek licensure with CHCPBC once it opens, and BCACC has been actively involved in preparing for regulation. However, entry requirements and transition pathways are still being finalized, so it is too early to say exactly how the process will work for individual counsellors.
How do I protect myself when choosing a counsellor before 2027?
Ask about credentials, verify registration through the relevant body (for RCCs, the BCACC directory), ask about experience with your specific concern, and confirm insurance eligibility. A qualified counsellor will welcome these questions.
Does regulation affect my insurance coverage?
Not directly at this stage. Extended health plans set their own rules about which providers they cover, and many BC plans already cover RCCs. If coverage rules change as regulation rolls out, your insurer’s provider list is the place to check. For the full picture, see our guide: Is a Registered Clinical Counsellor covered by insurance in BC? You can read more on our fees and insurance page.
Ready to Talk With Someone?
If you are considering counselling, you can view counsellor profiles and book online through our secure booking page. If you are unsure who to book with, contact us and we can help you find a good fit.
References
- CHCPBC, Regulating Psychotherapy: chcpbc.org/legislation/regulating-psychotherapy
- CHCPBC, Health Professions and Occupations Act: chcpbc.org/legislation/hpoa
- BC Ministry of Health, Regulation of Psychotherapy Q&A (updated August 27, 2026): gov.bc.ca (PDF)
- BC Government, Health Professions and Occupations Act overview: gov.bc.ca
- BCACC, RCC eligibility requirements: bcacc.ca
This article is for general information and does not replace professional, legal, or medical advice. Regulatory details may change; we review this page regularly and note the last review date above.
