Membership FAQs
There are seven membership categories within NZAC. Below is further information on our different membership types. If you have any further questions, please contact membership@nzac.org.nz
- Student Affiliate
Student Affiliates are individuals enrolled in a counselling training programme with a New Zealand Counselling training provider. Student affiliates are yet to meet the NZAC membership criteria for provisional membership status.
- Provisional Member
A provisional member is a Counsellor wanting to register as a new member of NZAC. This membership must be had for a minimum of 18 months - five years maximum before the member can progress to full membership.
- Full Member
During their time as a Provisional Member, the Counsellor works towards full Membership. Only full members can use MNAZC in their post-nominals. Full members are also expected to fulfil CPD requirements which are subject to audit.
- Non-practising Members
Non-practicing Members are individuals who have completed either number three or four on the request for Annual Practising Certificate or who have had their provisional membership ceased under 5C(b) of the NZAC Constitution. Non-practising members cannot take part in any NZAC mahi, for example, branch committees.
- Life Members
Life Members are conferred by the membership from time to time. Life members, upon commencement of life membership, will not be charged the cost of membership.
- Retired Members
Retired Members are non-practising, full NZAC members. Retired members are still held to NZAC’s Code of Ethics. Retired membership is a way for counsellors to remain connected to the industry without having to work in it fully.
- Subscriber
A Subscriber is a person or organisation with an interest in counselling. This membership allows them to receive our emails and access NZAC information.
A Bachelors or Masters degree in Counselling which includes both counselling theory and supervised counselling practice. In Aotearoa New Zealand the degree should be from an NZAC accredited provider. You can learn more about accredited NZAC education providers in this link.
NZAC introduced Education Standards on 1 January 2019. The education providers who meet these standards are listed on the website https://nzac.in1touch.org/site/membership/accredited-education-programmes?nav=sidebar. All graduates from these programmes automatically meet the Provisional Membership criteria as outlined above.
Yes, if counselling was the main mahi of your position and you meet the criteria of the Particular Circumstances pathway. To learn more about the particular circumstances pathway and whether you are eligible for membership through the particular circumstances’ pathway, please refer to our particular circumstances application sample available in the Membership and Registration section of our website.
- NZAC Accredited Education Programme: a Bachelor or Master of Counselling from an NZAC accredited counsellor education provider.
- NZAC Non-Accredited Education Programme: A person may also have an historical counselling degree, a Diploma, a PGDip awarded before 1 January 2019 when the Education Standards were implemented. However, there will be different circumstances within this for example, a person with a Dip or PGDip Counselling from 2010 who has been continuously in counselling practice since that time will be welcomed. However, a Dip or PGDip Counselling from 2010 with a year's practice and none since then will be asked to complete a Bachelor or Master of Counselling. How recently a person's counselling qualification was awarded and what the qualification is will determine whether they can apply. You may be asked to do more study, more professional development, or more supervision. Each person is considered on their own merits.
- Particular Circumstances: a person who has another qualification like Social Work and spent most of their time counselling can apply through Particular Circumstances. This is quite a long application process which includes recordings and transcripts of their mahi.
- Overseas Counsellor Qualification: people with a counselling qualification obtained outside of New Zealand. Before submitting an application, all applicants must check with the Membership Manager to clarify whether their qualifications meet the NZAC’s criteria.
Please view our overseas qualifications application sample available under the Membership and Registration section of our website. If, after reading the application sample, you are still unsure your qualifications and experience meet our requirements, please email a copy of your academic transcript, certificates of qualifications, and resume/curriculum vitae to membership@nzac.org.nz. These documents can be assessed by our team and you can then be advised on your eligibility for NZAC membership. All NZAC members must have a qualification recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Overseas qualifications must have an approved NZQA equivalency of a level seven or nine.
Counsellors in Aotearoa New Zealand are not state regulated. Due to the fact counsellors are not state regulated, the objectives of the NZAC are to ensure the establishment, maintenance, and enhancement of professional standards. It is because of our objectives Counsellors have opted to be registered with NZAC. Most agencies and employers choose to employ an NZAC Counsellor. NZAC has a Te Whatu Ora Accreditation that enables these members to work in the Mental health and Wellbeing sector.
NZAC has a two-stage membership process which starts with Provisional Membership which is in place for a minimum of 18 months. After provisional membership is completed an upgrade process to full Membership can start. A Counsellor must be practising in Aotearoa to upgrade. During this time, a Counsellor needs to engage with Puawānanga. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a guiding document for NZAC. Reflecting and learning about Aotearoa’s unique culture is an important part of the membership process and is especially important for overseas-educated counsellors.
Our website has a “Find a Supervisor” function which has Counsellors of Māori descent available for Puawānanga Kaitiakitanga or Cultural Consultancy in person or online. However, NZAC encourages all members to approach cultural consultants in their local area. A Puawānanga Kaitiaki or a Cultural Consultant is someone of Māori descent comfortable with Te Ao Māori and can therefore help you in your reflection process. You will notice some cultural consultation is needed for Provisional Membership. While it is preferable this happens in Aotearoa, there are people who offer their services online.
No, a Bachelors or Masters of Psychology from New Zealand does not meet NZAC criteria for Provisional Membership. However, a Bachelors or Masters of Clinical Psychology is recognised by NZAC.
If you have a Psychology qualification from overseas where there is not a dedicated counselling qualification, then your qualifications will be considered.