Counsellor / Psychotherapist CPD Requirements in Ireland

Counsellor / Psychotherapists in Ireland follow a CPD-based model rather than a fixed hour total. Statutory regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists is being established but is NOT yet operational as of July 2026. The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board was established on 27 February 2019 to regulate these designated professions and protect their titles. Two separate registers (Counsellor and Psychotherapist) are planned. The Board has achieved its first statutory milestone (Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes) but the registers are NOT yet open, so no application, registration, or CPD obligation is yet in force. Once a register opens, CORU's standard CPD model is expected to apply (30 self-determined CPD credits, where 1 credit = 1 hour of new/enhanced learning, per rolling 12-month period, verified by audit), but no CPD requirement is operational at this time.

Ireland does not mandate specific CE subjects for Counsellor / Psychotherapist beyond the general requirement — any board-approved continuing education generally counts. Always confirm with the regulator.

Generally yes — Ireland does not require live or interactive hours for Counsellor / Psychotherapist, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: Not yet applicable - register not open. When operational, CORU CPD is self-directed with no cap on activity type..

Regulation is at the pre-opening stage. Remaining statutory milestones before register opening include education/training programme approval, the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, and registration Bye-Laws, followed by a 2-year grandparenting period for existing practitioners. Title protection and CPD enforcement will take effect only once a register opens. license_group set to 'Counseling'; total_hours null pending an operational scheme.