# How to Check if Your Therapist Is Registered in the UK

Source: https://www.checkyourtherapist.com/blog/how-to-check-therapist-registration-uk-2025-guide

Reviewed by Dr Jack Stroud, HCPC registered clinical psychologist. Updated 28-10-2026.

**Quick answer:** Search the register that matches your therapist's title: the HCPC for psychologists, the BACP or UKCP for counsellors and psychotherapists, and the BABCP for CBT therapists. You can search all four at once with Check Your Therapist, then confirm the result on the official register.

Ensuring your therapist is registered is highly recommended for your safety and the quality of care you receive. In the UK, there are four main therapist registers, each with their own registration requirements and standards.

## The Four Main UK Therapy Registers

The **HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council)** regulates practitioner psychologists, including clinical, counselling, forensic, health, educational, occupational, and sport and exercise psychologists. This is a statutory register: using one of these titles without being registered is a criminal offence. [Search the HCPC register](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/).

The **BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies)** registers CBT therapists and practitioners of other less intensive cognitive behavioral approaches (e.g. Wellbeing Practitioners). [Search the CBT Register](https://portal.babcp.com/therapist/register).

The **BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)** is the largest register for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. [Search the BACP Register](https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Register).

The **UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)** registers psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. [Search the UKCP register](https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/about-ukcp/our-register/).

## Voluntary Registers

Whilst registration with the HCPC is legally required for practitioner psychologists, registration with the other registers is voluntary. However, employers often require registration with the relevant body as this is considered a benchmark for good practice. For example, NHS Talking Therapies teams often require CBT therapists to be registered with the BABCP.

The BACP, UKCP and BABCP registers are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Other PSA accredited registers include the NCPS, BPC and ACC. You can find them all with the PSA's [Find a Register](https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/what-we-do/accredited-registers/find-a-register) tool.

## How to Check Registration

Each register has an online search facility where you can verify your therapist's registration using their name. You can also use tools like Check Your Therapist to search multiple registers simultaneously.

When checking, look for:

- Current registration status

- Whether their advertised profession matches their registered profession

- Areas of practice

**Red flags:** Be cautious if a therapist claims to be registered but doesn't appear on any official register, or if they're evasive about their qualifications.

Remember, while voluntary registration isn't legally required, it demonstrates commitment to professional standards and safe practice.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which register should I check for my therapist?

It depends on their title. Psychologists (for example clinical or counselling psychologists) must be on the HCPC register. Counsellors and psychotherapists are usually on the BACP, UKCP or NCPS registers. CBT therapists are usually on the BABCP's CBT Register.

### Is it rude to ask my therapist for their registration number?

No. Registered therapists expect to be asked and should be happy to tell you which register they are on and their membership or registration number.