Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022

An Act establishes the Council as the statutory body for the counselling profession in Nigeria. It sets and maintains professional standards for knowledge and skill across various settings. The Council regulates practice in schools, hospitals, and corporate organizations.

What Is This Policy?

The Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (CPCN) Act 2022 establishes the Council as the statutory body responsible for advancing the study, training, and practice of the counselling profession in Nigeria. It empowers CPCN to set and maintain the standards of knowledge and skill required for registered counselling practitioners, and to regulate counselling practice across schools, hospitals, prisons, corporate organisations, and community settings.

Who Does It Target?

School counsellors in primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions across Nigeria Clinical and community counsellors working in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, NGOs, and private practice Counselling graduates from Nigerian universities who must register with CPCN before practising Corporate organisations and institutions employing counsellors for employee assistance programmes

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Determine and uphold the standards of knowledge and skill required for professional counselling practice in Nigeria Establish and maintain a national register of certified counselling practitioners and publish updated lists for public accountability Eliminate quackery and unqualified counselling practice, particularly in schools and healthcare settings where vulnerable persons are most at risk Promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing through accessible, professionally delivered counselling services nationwide

Key Features

Mandatory Registration: All persons practising counselling professionally in Nigeria must register with CPCN; unregistered practice is a criminal offence under the Act Licensing and Renewal: Registered counsellors receive an annual practising licence; maintaining registration requires ongoing CPD and adherence to the professional code of ethics School Counselling Standard: Policy addresses the historic neglect of school counselling in Nigeria; all secondary schools must have at least one CPCN-registered counsellor Scope of Practice: CPCN defines and publishes the scope of practice for counselling, distinguishing it from psychology, social work, and psychiatry Examination and Certification: CPCN conducts licensing examinations for counselling graduates; a tiered membership structure accommodates practitioners at different career stages Federal-State Alignment: State governments are encouraged to domesticate the Act to integrate CPCN regulation into state education and health systems

Current Status

The Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022 is in force, serving as the statutory framework for regulating the counselling profession in Nigeria.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; National Health Act 2014; Mental Health Act; Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act; Medical and Dental Practitioners Act