Requirement 1

Professional membership in HKPCA should be named as “HKPCA Certified Counsellor and Approved Counselling Supervisor” Application to become a “HKPCA Certified Counsellor” has to be examined by MPSC and then endorsed by HKPCA Council.

[Important note: Professional members has to be or renew General Membership annually at the same time which is a PRECONDITION of continuing professional membership.

It is subjected to adherence to HKPCA Code of Ethics and stipulations related to continuous professional development /education (i.e. CPD) implying Professional Members has to fulfil certain CPD points set by HKPCA , details listed in Membership CPD column and is subject to change year by year]

Requirement 2

The minimum academic level for professional membership in HKPCA should be a HKPCA accredited master’s degree in counselling listed online. Other master degrees in counselling or equivalent will be assessed by Membership and Professional Standards Committee on a case by case basis.

Requirement 3

Program requirement:

3.1 In order to qualify for professional membership in HKPCA, the individual should enroll in a master-level degree program (or its equivalent) with a clear “theory” and “practice” component. The total number of contact hours in the academic program, including both the theory and practice components, should aggregate to at least 320 hours.  Note that the programs listed in the link below will not be accepted for HKPCA membership.

List of unaccredited institutions of higher education – Wikipedia

3.2 The following domains should be adequately covered (i.e., substantially covered in named courses) in the “theory” component:
Compulsory domains: Counselling theories and orientation, helping process and skills, counselling ethics.
Other required domains (at least 3 of the 5 domains): include Human growth and development, Social and cultural foundation, Research methods and evaluation, Psychopathology and assessment, and group work.

3.3. There should be a “practicum” component in the academic program where students have the opportunity to practice and receive regular supervision. A maximum of 50 Practicum Supervision Hours may be counted in the 320 Contact Hours required for the academic program.

Requirement 4

Practice requirement

4.1 To qualify for professional membership in HKPCA, the individual should have accumulated at least 450 hours of supervised practice of which at least 150 hours must be subsequent to the completion of training (that is, after graduate training at the level of a master degree in a counselling-related field or its equivalent).

4.2 In addition, a total of at least 100 supervision hours must be accumulated, of which at least 50 hours must be subsequent to the completion of graduate training. At least 30 percent of the supervision hours (i.e., 30 hours) have to be individual-based (that is, one-on-one supervision). All post-qualification supervision should be supervised by the HKPCA Approved Counselling Supervisor(s) who are listed in the HKPCA website.

4.3 In the practicum component of an Accredited Counselling Programme, the number of Supervised Practice Hours should be at least FIFTY (50). The maximum number of supervised practice hours and supervision hours accredited to each programme should be subject to Membership and Professional Standards Committee election and regular review every 3 years. Applicants should check with their relevant programme organizer for details before applying as Candidacy or Certified Counselors.

4.4 Within the total 450 hours (under and post master) , at least 80% i.e. 360 hours has to be individual supervised practice hour (must be endorsed by HKPCA ACounS, policy has been implemented in 2021).

4.5 In the practicum component of an Accredited Counselling Programme, the ratio between Supervised Practice Hours and Supervision Hours should be at least THREE to ONE (3 : 1), which means for every 3 practice hours, there should be at least 1 supervision hour.

4.6 In the practicum component of an Accredited Counselling Programme, the maximum number of supervisee allowed in one supervision group should be SIX (6).

4.7 In the practicum component of an Accredited Counselling Programme, Individual Supervision should be a face-to-face supervision for ONE supervisee, and appropriate observers should be allowed.

4.8 In the practicum component of an Accredited Counselling Programme, the ratio between Total Supervision Hours and Individual Supervision Hours should be at least SIX to ONE (6: 1), which means for every 6 supervision hours, there should at least be 1 individual supervision hour.

Requirement 5

Candidacy

5.1 An applicant who has fulfilled Requirements 1 to 3, but not Requirement 4, may be considered as a Candidate for Certified Counsellor.

5.2 Post master supervision should be supervised by HKPCA Approved Counselling Supervisor(s) listed online and can be more than 1. Candidates can select their targeted supervisor(s) based on supervisors’ major interest area sorted in our website.

5.3 The ratio between post-graduation Supervised Practice Hours and post-graduation Supervision Hours should be at least FIVE to ONE (5:1), which means for every 5 practice hours, there should be at least 1 supervision hour. [This new requirement has been implemented for the 2017 and subsequent admission cohorts].

5.4 In post-graduation group supervision, the maximum number of supervisees allowed in one supervision group should be SIX (6).

5.5 The Candidacy period  lasts for 5 consecutive years from the date of candidacy title granted by HKPCA.

Any extension of candidacy period requires formal written application with reasons  given.  Please apply extension at least 3 months before the 5-year duration ends officially for approval. Write to  Chairman, Membership and Professional Standards Committee,  HKPCA via email address: [email protected]