Certification Process

Certification Standards

CACBT’s current certification standards came into effect October 1, 2024. These standards are the result of a comprehensive review of the current certification process, the literature examining competency in CBT, and certification processes and standards for CBT in other countries. This was undertaken by a Task Force, to Review CACBT’s Certification Requirements, which was comprised of experts in the area and was appointed by the CACBT Board of Directors. The Board and CACBT membership reviewed and approved the standards set forth in the Task Force recommendations in June 2021.

Certification Criteria

All applicants for certification are required to submit materials for review as described below. Applications and supporting documentation are submitted in two stages and can be uploaded through the Member Portal.

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be licensed/registered/certified for independent practice by a provincial/territorial regulatory body (or equivalent);

  2. Hold professional liability insurance that covers all their professional activities;

  3. Be a member of CACBT-ACTCC in good standing (i.e., their membership dues must be up-to-date);

  4. Provide an up-to-date CV; and

  5. Provide additional information as specified under either Option A or Option B (described below).

Certification Requirements and Process

Certification applications are submitted in two stages:

    1. Application fee: $150.00 + tax (non-refundable).

    2. Applicants will be asked to submit an Application Form, CV, and other required documents via your Member Log-In.

    3. Applicants will be asked to select Option A or Option B on the Application Form:

      Option A

      Applicant’s must meet ALL criteria if this option is selected:

      • Formal training in CBT. Fifty (50) hours of formal training in CBT. This can include CBT-intensive graduate coursework, practicum placements, rotations during a residency or post-doctoral fellowship, seminars, workshops, or courses in CBT. This may include either synchronous or asynchronous virtual training or in-person training. 20 hours of this training, however, must include experiential strategies and/or the evaluation of knowledge and/or competencies (these criteria have been defined in the application).

      • Supervision or consultation. Applicants must have participated in a minimum of 20 hours of supervision and/or consultation in CBT. The supervision and/or consultation may have taken place before the applicant was licensed/registered, after, or a combination of the two.

      • CBT Experience. Following the completion of their formal education and registration or certification, the applicant must have recent, substantial experience in CBT as an independent professional.

      • Letters of support.  Letters should be from clinicians who provided direct clinical supervision or consultation regarding CBT training and practice. Letters are submitted using a standardized form. Letters that are not submitted in this format will not be accepted.

      Option B

      The applicant must be credentialed in CBT from another credible organization. Recognized organizations allowing you to apply under Option B include the following:

      • American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

      • The Beck Institute

      • The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies

      • The British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies

      • The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (Clinician Program)

    For Option B, applicants must submit:

    • Liability Insurance

    • Proof of Certification

  • If Stage 1 is approved, submit Stage 2 materials via your Member Portal.

    1. Application fee: $250.00 + tax (non-refundable).

    2. Stage 2 application materials required:

      • A recording of a CBT session with a patient who consents for their case to be used for this purpose.

      • A case history, formulation, and treatment plan for the same patient.

    Recordings in Stage 2 are evaluated based on the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale-Revised. This can be accessed within the Member’s Portal. 

Application Timelines and Re-Application

  • Applicants have 3 years (in total) to submit applications for both Stages 1 and 2.

  • Applicants who were not approved for certification will only be eligible to re-apply 2 years following their initial application.

Questions?