All BABCP Level 1 accredited courses meet our quality standards for training delivery and trainer qualifications. However, each course will vary in how much of the Minimum Training Standards (MTS) they cover. These variations can be in the number of teaching hours, required case studies, and clinical practice hours.
While Level 1 courses partially meet our MTS requirements, they don’t cover everything needed for accreditation. Each course should provide you with a statement showing exactly which MTS requirements are met, helping you identify any areas you’ll need to ‘top up’ to apply for accreditation.
Applicants will also need to demonstrate that they are continuing to practice CBT, are receiving appropriate CBT supervision of this work, that they will engage in appropriate CBT CPD and that they will adhere to the BABCP Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
A list of CBT courses that have successfully achieved level 1 accreditation can be found here:
BABCP Level 1 Accredited Courses
The application fee can be found here.
We will notify you once payment request for your application has been created – please then log on to your account on our website, and visit “My Memberships” to find it.
How to apply
You must complete the new application form Version Dec 2025. We will not accept older versions of the form.
We will be moving to online forms later in 2026. There will be a three month notice period of this after which you will be able to access those forms here. Until then, please continue to use the Dec 2025 application form.
You should refer to the Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Application Guidelines when completing your application form.
Please do not send any client identifying information or recordings alongside your application. All evidence of cases including case studies and other assessment materials (e.g. copies of CTS-R or ACCS) for client work should be anonymised.
Level 1 Criteria
You must –
- be a BABCP member
- have a relevant mental health core professional training to degree level or provide evidence of equivalence by completing a KSA portfolio
- show how your CBT training meets our Minimum Training Standards (MTS) and adhere to our Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics for the Practice of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies
- use Cognitive and/or Behavioural therapies as your main (or one of your main) therapeutic models in clinical practice
- show at least two episodes of live supervision in the 12 months practice prior to application
Level 1 Course Resources
Please consult these guidelines and webpages before making an application –
- Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Accreditation Guidelines
- Case Study Guidelines – Explanation of requirements for case studies
- Close Supervision Guidelines – Explanation of the requirements for closely supervised cases
- Minimum Training Standards – Accreditation Criteria
- Core Curriculum – Requirements for the content of your CBT Training
- Core Professions – Training and experience prior to your CBT qualification
- Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) – Alternative training and experience prior to your CBT qualification
- Supervisors’ Credentials – Explanation of supervisor requirements
BABCP Level 1 Course: Additional Required Documents & Information
The information you will need to submit as part of your application section is below:
Supervisor’s Report
As part of your application you will be asked to provide contact details for your current or most recent CBT Clinical Supervisor. They must be a BABCP accredited CBT therapist or meet the criteria described here.
Download the Supervisor’s Report
Completed Supervisor Reports must be emailed to us at accreditation.reports@babcp.com
The Supervisor’s Report will outline the following information:
- Confirmation of their suitability as a CBT supervisor
- Confirmation of your supervision log and current practice
- Live supervision provision (at least 2 episodes in most recent 12 months of supervision)
- Method and content of supervision
- Confirmation of your competence and understanding of the therapeutic relationship
- Confirmation of your safe and effective practice
If your current supervision arrangements have been in place for less than six months, or do not adequately outline the above information, you must also provide a Supervisor Report from your previous Supervisor (this must be drawn from your most recent 12 months of practice).
Professional Reference
As part of your application you will be asked to provide contact details for a professional reference. They must be a BABCP accredited CBT therapist or a member of one of our recognised core professions (the latter does not have to be a BABCP member or a CBT therapist).
Download the Professional Reference
Completed Professional References must be emailed to us at accreditation.reports@babcp.com
The Professional Reference report will outline the following information:
- Their suitability to provide you with a Professional Reference
- That they have had regular professional contact with you during your last 12 months of practice
- Confirmation of your fitness to practice
- Confirmation of your safe and ethical practice
- Confirmation that you adhere to our Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
Training Cases
As part of your application, you will be asked to provide details of up to eight training cases (depending on the requirements that have already been met by your course). You can find more information about these in the Guidelines.
Closely supervised cases - if you need to provide evidence of further closely supervised cases, you and your supervisor should consult our Close Supervision Guidelines
Case studies – if you need to complete further case studies after your training, please consult our Case Study Guidelines. These include guidance on how to find a suitable assessor and an optional feedback sheet which independent assessors may choose to use when marking your case studies.
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