Applications for Registration:

Counselling Therapist

*APPLICATION FEE ($200) WAIVED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

Have Questions?

Attend A registration webinar

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar.

Overview of the Intermediate Route Application Process

The online application will guide you through each step of the application process. Additional instructions and guidance are available throughout the application by selecting the ? icons.

ACTA offers a monthly registration webinar where prospective applicants can learn about the registration process, review application requirements, and ask questions. If you have questions at any stage of the application process, please contact the ACTA office at info@acta-alberta.ca.

Before You Apply

You should have the following information and documentation available before starting your application:

Required Documentation

• Transcripts of relevant diplomas and degrees (official transcripts are not required);

• Proof of professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $2 million (If actively practicing within the profession);

• Two professional Good Character References PLEASE USE THIS FORM (signed and dated within one year of application);

• Name and contact information for your current employer, professional corporation, or sole proprietorship; and

• A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check dated within one year of application.

Additional Documentation (if applicable)

• Copies of professional certifications relevant to counselling therapy;

• Registration certificates from other counselling regulatory bodies or colleges;

• Registration certificates from other professional colleges (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy); and

• Documentation supporting any legal name changes.

  Please retain supporting documentation for all information entered in your application. ACTA may conduct random audits and request supporting documentation to verify information submitted as part of an application or registration.

Education

Required Education

Applicants must have completed a structured diploma, undergraduate degree, master's degree, or equivalent counselling/psychotherapy education program that:

• Includes integrated counselling theory and skills development;

• Includes ethics and professional practice;

• Includes supervised practicum placement(s);

• Includes competency-based clinical evaluation; and

• Is delivered as a cohesive curriculum rather than stand-alone individual courses.

Note: Individual courses, workshops, conferences, webinars, certificates, and other professional development activities may supplement an application but do not replace the requirement to complete a structured counselling/psychotherapy education program.

Application Instructions

The application will ask you to enter any completed counselling or psychotherapy education programs that contributed to your development of counselling therapy competencies. Please list all relevant diplomas and degrees and upload copies of your diplomas, degrees, and transcripts.

If you have completed individual courses relevant to counselling therapy competencies (for example, electives completed as part of another degree program), these may be entered under Individual Courses.

Professional development activities relevant to counselling therapy competencies, such as workshops, conferences, webinars, and specialized training, may be entered under Other Courses and Education.

The application will also ask you to declare the number of education hours completed through your programs and courses. Additional guidance is available within the application by selecting the ? icon beside each question.

International Education 

Applicants Educated Outside Canada or the United States

If you completed your counselling or psychotherapy education outside Canada or the United States, you must obtain a credential assessment from a recognized credential assessment service demonstrating that your education is comparable to Canadian educational standards.

Recognized credential assessment services include:

• World Education Services (WES)

• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

  You will be required to upload a copy of your credential assessment in place of transcripts,  as part of your application.

  Please note that a credential assessment confirms the Canadian equivalency of your education. ACTA may request additional information to determine whether your education meets the counselling and psychotherapy education requirements for registration.

Clinical Supervision

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 40 hours of clinical supervision obtained within the scope of counselling therapy practice.

Clinical supervision may be completed through:

• Individual supervision;

• Dyadic supervision; or

• Group supervision (maximum group size of 8 participants).

Supervision does not need to be conducted in person and may be completed virtually.

Clinical supervision completed as part of a qualifying counselling or psychotherapy education program, including practicum placements, may be counted toward this requirement.

The application will ask you to provide the number of clinical supervision hours completed, along with the name and contact information of your supervisor(s). ACTA may contact supervisors to verify supervision hours if required.

If you are unable to provide a supervisor's contact information, the application will ask you to explain why.

What is Clinical Supervision?

Clinical supervision is a structured professional relationship that supports the development of counselling competencies, ethical practice, professional judgment, and client care. It involves the review and discussion of clinical work with a qualified supervisor and is intended to enhance safe, competent, and effective counselling practice.

Direct Client Contact Hours

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 150 Direct Client Contact (DCC) hours.

Direct client contact  hours may be accumulated throughout your career, including during practicum placements that are part of a qualifying counselling or psychotherapy education program.

What Counts as Direct Client Contact?

Direct Client Contact involves providing counselling or psychotherapy directly to an individual, couple, family, or group within a therapeutic relationship.

Examples include:

• Counselling or psychotherapy sessions;

• Clinical intake interviews used to determine treatment needs;

• Therapeutic assessment activities;

• Treatment planning and intervention;

• Facilitating or co-facilitating therapeutic sessions.

Note: A 50-minute counselling session may be counted as one hour of DCC.

What Does Not Count as Direct Client Contact?

The following activities do not qualify as DCC hours:

• Administrative activities;

• Record keeping and report writing;

• Academic or research interviews;

• Teaching or classroom instruction;

• Observing therapy without active participation;

• Research activities;

• Providing or receiving supervision.

The application will ask you to declare your total Direct Client Contact hours. You will not be required to itemize these hours; however, you must attest that the information provided is accurate and may be subject to verification.

Currency Hours

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 750 currency hours related to counselling therapy within the three years immediately preceding their application.

Accommodation may be available in specific circumstances and will be considered by the Registrar on an individual basis.

What Counts as Currency Hours?

Currency hours include professional, educational, and practice-related activities connected to counselling therapy, such as:

• Direct client work;

• Preparation and record keeping related to client work;

• Clinical supervision received;

• Practicum placements completed as part of a counselling or psychotherapy education program;

• Counselling or psychotherapy education and coursework;

• Professional development activities, including workshops, conferences, webinars, and specialized training;

• Research and writing related to counselling therapy;

• Teaching counselling-related courses;

• Consulting activities;

• Management or leadership roles within the profession; and

• Other activities that contribute to the development and maintenance of counselling therapy competencies.

If You Do Not Meet the 750-Hour Requirement

Not meeting the 750-hour requirement is not automatically a barrier to registration.

Applicants who have experienced circumstances affecting their ability to meet the requirement may still submit an application. The Registrar will review requests for accommodation on an individual basis and may require additional information or a competency plan.

TRACKING YOUR HOURS

The application will ask you to declare your currency hours. You will not be required to itemize every hour or submit supporting documentation at the time of application. However, you must attest that the information provided is accurate and ACTA may verify information provided in your application if necessary.

WHAT ARE CURRENCY HOURS?

Currency hours demonstrate ongoing engagement in counselling therapy through practice, education, supervision, professional development, research, teaching, leadership, or other professional activities. The purpose of the currency requirement is to ensure applicants have remained active in the profession or in activities that support counselling therapy competency within the three years preceding their application.

Other Professional Activities

The application will ask you to identify other professional activities related to counselling therapy that have contributed to the development, maintenance, or application of your counselling competencies.

Examples may include:

• Consulting;

• Providing clinical supervision;

• Teaching or lecturing;

• Research and publication activities;

• Management or leadership roles;

• Professional committee work;

• Volunteer activities; and

• Other professional activities related to counselling therapy.

Note: No minimum number of hours is required for Other Professional Activities. Applicants may report up to 15 hours of relevant activities. This section is intended to capture additional professional contributions and is not a minimum requirement for registration.

Good Character References

Applicants must provide two professional Good Character References- PLEASE USE THIS FORM

References should be completed by individuals who can speak to your professional conduct, character, and suitability for practice within the counselling therapy profession. Examples may include counsellors, supervisors, colleagues, employers, educators, or other professionals with whom you have worked closely.

References must not be completed by:

• Family members;

• Personal acquaintances; or

• Your current or former therapist.

References must be signed and dated within one year of your application.

You are responsible for obtaining the completed reference forms and uploading them as part of your application.

Criminal Record with Vulnerable Sector Check

Applicants must upload a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check dated within one year of their application.

Applicants Residing Outside Canada

Applicants who do not currently reside in Canada must upload:

• A Vulnerable Sector Check (or equivalent background screening) from their current country of residence; and

• A Canadian Criminal Record Check dated within one year of their application.

  The Canadian Criminal Record Check may be obtained online through MyBackCheck:
  https://mybackcheck.com/Public/Login.aspx

Professional Liability Insurance

Applicants must upload proof of professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $2 million (If actively practicing)

If possible, please upload a copy of your insurance certificate.

If you are covered under your employer's professional liability insurance policy, you may upload a letter from your employer confirming that you are covered under the policy and specifying the amount of coverage.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a level sufficient for safe and competent counselling therapy practice.

As part of the application process, applicants will be required to attest that they possess the necessary English language proficiency to practice counselling therapy and to communicate effectively with clients, supervisors, employers, and other professionals.

Attestation and Random Audits

As part of the application process, you will be required to attest that all information provided in your application is complete, accurate, and truthful.

Applicants should maintain a portfolio of supporting documentation for all information submitted in their application. Examples may include transcripts, certificates, supervision records, employment records, and other documents supporting eligibility requirements.

ACTA conducts random audits of applications and registrations. If selected for an audit, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation within a specified timeframe.

Please keep your supporting documentation in a safe and accessible location.

Current ACTA Members Applying for Counselling Therapy Title

If you are already registered with ACTA and are applying for an additional title through the Intermediate Route:

• You do not need to submit a new Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check.

• You will be required to attest that there have been no changes to your criminal record or vulnerable sector status since your previous application.

• You must submit all other required application materials for the additional title, including:

• Two professional Good Character References relevant to the additional profession; and

• Proof of professional liability insurance with a minimum of $2 million coverage.

If the same insurance policy covers both professions, you must still upload proof of insurance as part of your application for the additional title.

Fees

Application Fees

• Application Fee: $200 + GST (non-refundable) [TEMPORARILY WAIVED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2026]

• Current ACTA Member Applying for an Additional Title: $50 + GST (non-refundable)

Membership Fees

• Annual Membership Fee: $432.00 (non-refundable)

Late Fees

• $50 – Membership fees are not paid within two weeks of application approval.

• $100 – Annual renewal and membership fees are not completed by the renewal deadline.

Failure to pay required fees or complete renewal requirements may result in an application being closed or membership being suspended or cancelled.

Annual Membership Renewal

ACTA memberships are renewed annually in March.

To maintain membership in good standing, members must:

• Continue to meet ACTA's good character requirements;

• Maintain the confidence of the profession;

• Complete the annual renewal process; and

• Pay all applicable fees.

Renewal Fees

• Annual Payment: $432.00 per year (non-refundable); or

• Monthly Payment Plan: $43.20 per month (April through January; non-refundable).

The annual renewal process takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.