Therapist's Credentials in Canada

What do all the credentials mean?
Regulated Province Credentials

Nova Scotia

  • RCT – Registered Counselling Therapist
  • RCT-C Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate
  • Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists 

New Brunswick

  • LCT –  Licensed Counselling Therapist
  • LCT-C -LCT –  Licensed Counselling Therapist Candidate
  • CCTNB The College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick 

Ontario & Quebec

  • RP – Registered Psychotherapist
  • RPQ – Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying
  • Ontario through CRPO College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario or OPQ Order of Psychologists of Québec 

Prince Edward Island

  • RCT – Registered Counselling Therapist
  • CCTPEI College of Counselling Therapy Prince Edward Island
Credentials for Therapists in Canada

All therapists must have a Masters degree in a relevant field before joining a regulatory college or association.

Here are some examples:

  • MA – Master of Arts;  Counselling Psychology, Counselling, Psychology
  • MEd. – Master of Education 
  • MSc. – Master of Science
  • MSW – Master of Social Work