Update for Education Providers

Timeframe for Alignment with Standards and Criteria   

July 2025 

Following the publication of its Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes, the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board has determined the timeframe for education providers to align their programmes with these requirements. 

The Board recognises the need to give education providers sufficient time to make the necessary adjustments to their curriculum and assessment strategies, along with ensuring provision of quality assured practice placement experiences for students. This careful approach will help ensure a smooth transition and successful implementation of the regulatory framework, ultimately assuring public protection. 

The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board has agreed to give education and training providers 4 years to align their programmes with the Board’s Standards and Criteria before seeking regulatory approval. This means that – at the latest – the process of programme approval will commence 4 years following the publication of the Board’s Standards and Criteria on 11 July 2025.  

In making its decision, the Board carefully considered feedback from education providers regarding the time needed to conduct a thorough programme review, implement changes, including the time needed for institutional approval processes, and introduce these changes to education and training programmes. The Board also took into account feedback from stakeholders during its consultation, which highlighted the changes that would be required to the current structure of education and training. 

For more information on the programme approval process, please see the Education Quality Assurance section of the CORU website here.