Can a counsellor become a CVAP provider?
Yes. CVAP registers counsellors and other counselling professionals whose qualifications fit a current reimbursement category; the program is not limited to Registered Clinical Counsellors.
Schedule 2 of the current General Regulation recognizes several routes based on education, supervised clinical experience and professional affiliation or regulation. The CVAP Counselling Guidelines say these qualifications are confirmed through a registration process required for counsellors who want to provide services to clients.
- Counsellors with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or a two-year counselling diploma, at least 200 hours of supervised clinical experience and a qualifying professional affiliation or regulated status.
- Master's- or doctoral-level counsellors meeting the category requirements, including RCCs in good standing with BCACC, CCCs in good standing with CCPA, eligible members or designates of other qualifying professional associations, and regulated equivalents in other jurisdictions.
- Registered social workers in good standing who meet the category's supervised-clinical-experience requirements.
- Registered psychologists and appropriately regulated psychology equivalents in other jurisdictions.
What qualifications does CVAP look for?
The exact CVAP counselling provider category depends on the wording of the current regulation, not on a single credential label. In plain language, CVAP looks at the following:
- Education: the lower category requires a relevant undergraduate degree or a two-year counselling diploma; the next category requires a relevant master's degree or doctorate.
- Supervised clinical experience: the lower category requires at least 200 hours. The master's-level route through another qualifying association requires at least 400 hours. The social-work category also requires at least 400 hours under a definition that excludes university- or college-approved clinical placements.
- Professional standing: the regulation requires the applicable membership, certification, designation, registration or authorization to practise, including good standing where specified.
- Professional liability insurance: the regulation excludes counselling where the provider lacks insurance satisfactory to the director. The current guidelines specify coverage of at least $2 million per occurrence and proof on request.
- Criminal record check: the regulation requires a check satisfactory to the director, and the guidelines say it must be renewed every five years.
Is there a single ‘CVAP-approved counsellor’ designation?
The public material describes provider registration and reimbursement categories, not a single professional designation that authorizes every CVAP counselling service.
Three separate questions matter: whether your qualifications fit a reimbursable Schedule 2 category; whether CVAP has completed the provider registration it requires; and whether counselling has been authorized for the particular client. The guidelines also state that CVAP's confirmation of a fee category and payment for services are not an acknowledgment or certification of a counsellor's competency.
How do I register with CVAP?
The current guidelines say registration is required and direct counsellors to cvapcounselling@gov.bc.ca for registration information.
The public CVAP materials reviewed on August 23, 2026 do not provide a complete step-by-step online registration workflow, a current downloadable provider-registration form, a stated turnaround time or a public explanation of any provider-number process. Contact CVAP directly for the current process and the documents it wants from you.
Official CVAP contacts: provider-registration questions, cvapcounselling@gov.bc.ca; general program email, cvap@gov.bc.ca; toll-free in B.C., 1-866-660-3888; Lower Mainland, 604-660-3888.
What may I need to demonstrate?
The guidelines say the registration process will generally require evidence in the following areas. This is not presented as a complete registration package because the government does not publish one publicly.
- A curriculum vitae identifying your highest degree and major, counselling experience, and current and past employers, subject to the exceptions and out-of-province provisions stated in the guidelines.
- A supervisor's letter confirming supervised clinical counselling hours, where required for your category.
- Proof of membership in good standing with the relevant professional association, regulatory body or college.
- A completed criminal record check; the guidelines say renewal is required every five years.
- Proof of professional liability insurance, with the current guidelines specifying at least $2 million per occurrence.
How much does CVAP pay counsellors?
For services provided after January 1, 2024, the current maximum hourly reimbursement rates are $85, $135 or $205, depending on the provider category.
These are maximum CVAP reimbursement rates—not recommended private-practice fees, a promise of registration, or a statement that a provider must charge exactly that amount. CVAP confirms the category, and the current regulation and guidelines control if rates or requirements change.
| Schedule 2 category | Plain-language qualification summary | Maximum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Item 2 | Relevant undergraduate degree or two-year counselling diploma; at least 200 supervised clinical hours; qualifying professional affiliation or regulated status | $85 |
| Item 3 | Relevant master's degree or doctorate; qualifying affiliation, including RCC, CCC, another eligible association or a regulated equivalent; 400 supervised hours where the regulation specifies | $135 |
| Item 4 | Eligible registered social worker in good standing with at least 400 supervised clinical hours meeting the Schedule 2 definition | $135 |
| Item 5 | Registered psychologist or appropriately regulated psychology equivalent in another jurisdiction | $205 |
How does working with a CVAP client work?
The claimant receives a written CVAP decision setting out eligibility for counselling and the number of funded hours. The guidelines make the counsellor responsible for ensuring that CVAP has determined the claimant is eligible and for keeping invoices within the awarded hours.
CVAP does not routinely require an intake report. It may specifically request an intake assessment and report, or a progress or termination report; the guidelines say unrequested reports are not paid. Invoices must identify the claimant, claim number, service date and length, counsellor, amount, payee contact information, invoice number and applicable GST.
If more counselling is sought where additional hours may be available, the claimant—not the counsellor—must request reassessment. CVAP may ask for supporting information or an independent psychological assessment. The public guidance does not promise invoice-processing or provider-registration timelines.
Can CVAP counselling be online or by phone?
Yes. The guidelines permit phone or videoconference counselling when the provider has no identified concern, the claimant agrees, and remote work follows the provider's governing-body requirements and the same CVAP conditions as in-person care.
Telephone counselling must be identified on the invoice, including the portion of the counselling hour spent by phone. Read the dedicated guide to virtual CVAP counselling for a concise explanation.
What should a new CVAP provider understand clinically and administratively?
- Funded counselling must address psychological injury connected to the eligible offence and use empirically validated, commonly accepted psychological or psychiatric practices under the guidelines.
- Do not assume that a modality name, credential or provider registration means a particular service or client is funded.
- Confirm the client's decision, claim number, awarded hours, applicable conditions and your registered fee category before relying on payment.
- Keep records and invoices sufficient to meet current CVAP requirements, and provide reports only when requested by the program.
- Check the current guidelines and regulation rather than relying on older rates, forms or third-party summaries.
Ready to explore becoming a CVAP counselling provider?
- Review the current CVAP Counselling Guidelines.
- Compare your education, experience and professional standing with the current Schedule 2 categories.
- Contact CVAP at cvapcounselling@gov.bc.ca for the current provider-registration process and required documentation.
- Do not begin services in reliance on CVAP payment until the relevant client authorization and provider requirements are confirmed.
Reviewed by John Zak, MA, RCC
John Zak is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and CVAP counselling provider who operates and edits CVAP.ca. He does not speak for CVAP and cannot approve or register providers.