Are Counsellors Regulated in BC? What's Changing in 2027

When I tell people that anyone in BC can legally call themselves a counsellor, they usually don't believe me. It sounds like the kind of thing that can't possibly be true in 2026. But it is, and it is one of the main reasons I tell people to look past the title and ask about training before they book.

That is finally changing. BC has announced that psychotherapy will become a regulated profession, and the details have been coming out over the past year. If you are looking for a therapist, or you are one, here is what is happening in plain language.

What is happening, and when

In 2024, BC's Ministry of Health assessed who provides mental health care in the province. It found that many people offer counselling with a wide range of credentials, and that psychotherapy in particular carries a high enough risk of harm to need regulatory oversight.

The result is a new regulated profession. Here are the key dates:

April 1, 2026: BC's new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) came into force. It is the law that will govern psychotherapists, along with many other health professions.
Fall 2026: The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) plans to publish and consult on the proposed eligibility requirements for psychotherapists.
Summer 2027: An application process for experienced practitioners is expected to open.
November 29, 2027: Psychotherapy becomes regulated. Anyone practising as a psychotherapist will need a licence.

What regulation actually means

Right now, most counsellors in BC belong to a professional association, like the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (which grants the RCC designation). Associations do important work, but membership is voluntary. They advocate for their members. They are not regulators.

A regulatory college is different. Licensure is mandatory, and the college's job is to protect the public. CHCPBC will:

set the requirements to become licensed
set professional and ethical standards
investigate complaints
take action when someone falls short

In other words, there will be one body that anyone in BC can go to if something goes wrong with a psychotherapist, and it will have real authority to act.

Which titles will be protected

This is the part most people miss.

From November 29, 2027, "psychotherapist" becomes a protected title. Only people licensed by CHCPBC will be able to use it.

"Counsellor" and "counselling therapist" will not be protected. People who aren't licensed will still be able to use those titles.

So after 2027, the word to look for is "psychotherapist," or one of the other regulated professions that already exist, like psychologist or registered social worker. "Counsellor" on its own still won't tell you much.

Will unlicensed counsellors be allowed to practise?

In many cases, yes. The province has been clear that it does not intend to limit other clinicians, regulated or not, who support people using counselling approaches. That includes people who don't meet the requirements to become a psychotherapist.

What the province is considering is a new "restricted activity" covering the highest-risk psychotherapy: the kind used to treat people living with significant mental health conditions. Only authorized practitioners would be able to provide it. A public consultation on the proposal closed on August 5, 2026, and the final scope hasn't been decided yet.

What about psychologists and social workers?

Psychologists and registered social workers are already regulated. According to the province, professionals who are already allowed to provide psychotherapy under their own regulation won't need a second licence. Social workers fall under a separate law, the Social Workers Act, so their situation is handled through the BC College of Social Workers.

Who will qualify?

This is still being decided. CHCPBC is reviewing how other provinces and countries regulate psychotherapy and will publish its proposed requirements for public consultation. Beyond the general requirements that apply to every health profession, like a criminal record check, the psychotherapy-specific standards haven't been announced yet.

If you are a counsellor in BC, the best thing you can do now is subscribe to CHCPBC's updates and watch for the consultation this fall. CHCPBC is also hosting a webinar on regulating psychotherapy on October 14, 2026.

How to choose a therapist in the meantime

Until 2027, the title alone won't protect you. A few things will:

Ask about their designation. RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor), CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor), registered psychologist and RSW (registered social worker) all mean the person has recognized professional training, a code of ethics, and someone to answer to.
Ask about their training in what you need. If you want trauma work, ask where they trained in it. If you are curious about EMDR or IFS, ask whether they're certified or still in training.
Ask who they are accountable to. "If I had a concern about our work, who would I contact?" A good therapist will answer that easily.
Check your benefits. Most extended health plans only reimburse certain designations, so ask your insurer which ones before you book.

And then, once someone clears that bar, pay attention to fit. Credentials get someone to the starting line. Whether you feel safe with them matters more than anything else. I wrote more about that in how to choose the right therapist for you.

The bottom line

Regulation won't change what good therapy looks like. It will make it easier to know who is accountable, and harder for someone with no training to present themselves as a psychotherapist. For a field that asks people to bring their most vulnerable selves into the room, that feels overdue.

Sources

Government of BC, Regulation of Psychotherapy Q&A (updated August 27, 2026)
CHCPBC, Regulating Psychotherapy
CHCPBC, The Health Professions and Occupations Act is now in force

Are counsellors regulated in BC? What's changing, and what it means for you.