The pathway to UKCP Registration takes a minimum of four years and it is a requirement for the candidate to be at Masters Level of education or demonstrate equivalence either by occupation or education to enter onto the pathway.

A basic course must be completed via a Member Organisation of UKCP (such as N-SHAP) and then over a period of the next three years further modules of learning are completed which may include

Sexuality and Development

Psychopathology

Research Methods

Ethics and Professionalism

Interactive Counselling

Students of N-SHAP are required to complete four psychology essays and a Final Paper after their initial basic course. When these four essays and the Final Paper is completed and marked, successful N-SHAP graduates gain an Advanced Diploma.

From the second year of the pathway candidates for UKCP must be in differential clinical supervision for two years, in the third year they may enter into approved peer supervision.

Candidates are expected to undergo personal therapy during their training.
Before being presented for Registration the candidate must provide evidence of having completed a minimum of 450 hours of clinical practice.