Membership FAQs
There are seven membership categories within NZAC.
- 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 here.
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 click here
To learn more about our pathways to membership click here.
Yes, if your qualification/s are found to meet our requirements. To have your qualifications assessed for membership eligibility please email applications@nzac.org.nz with a copy of your CV, academic transcript and certificates.
No, Counsellors in Aotearoa New Zealand are not state-regulated. As 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.
Here you can use our “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.
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.