Verification of Qualifications and Professional Competence

Purpose

The Relationship and Family Counselling Board (RFCB) is committed to ensuring that all members possess the qualifications, competence, and professional standards necessary to practise safely and ethically.

The Board has established membership standards designed to protect the public, reduce professional risk, and provide assurance that members meet minimum standards of education, competence, and ongoing professional development.

Qualification Verification

Before membership is approved, applicants must provide evidence of:

  • Identity verification;

  • Relevant qualifications;

  • Academic transcripts where required;

  • Professional references where required;

  • Supervision arrangements where applicable;

  • Any additional information reasonably requested by the Board.

Qualifications obtained overseas must:

  • Be recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA); or

  • Be assessed by NZQA as comparable to a recognised New Zealand qualification.

The Board reserves the right to seek further information or clarification where qualification equivalency is uncertain.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants will normally hold one of the following:

  • Bachelor of Counselling;

  • Bachelor of Social Work;

  • Relevant Social Science Degree;

  • Postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, Psychotherapy, or related disciplines where counselling competencies can be demonstrated; or

  • Other equivalent qualifications approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from allied professions, including Occupational Therapy and Educational Psychology, may be considered where applicants can demonstrate competence within the RFCB Scope of Practice.

Competency Assessment

Membership decisions are based not solely on qualifications but also on professional competence.

Applicants may be required to demonstrate:

  • Counselling knowledge and skills;

  • Ethical understanding;

  • Professional boundaries;

  • Cultural competence;

  • Communication abilities;

  • Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice;

  • Ability to practise safely within their scope of competence.

 

Police Vetting and Character Verification

Purpose

The Relationship and Family Counselling Board (RFCB) recognises its responsibility to protect the public and maintain confidence in the counselling profession. As part of its membership verification processes, RFCB may undertake police vetting and character assessments to assist in determining an applicant's suitability for membership.

Police Vetting

Applicants for membership may be required to:

  • Consent to a New Zealand Police Vetting check;

  • Provide identification necessary to complete the vetting process;

  • Disclose any criminal convictions, charges, or investigations that may be relevant to professional practice;

  • Notify the Board of any subsequent criminal charges or convictions during their membership.

Where applicants have lived outside New Zealand, the Board may request:

  • Overseas police certificates;

  • Statutory declarations;

  • Additional information reasonably necessary to assess suitability for membership.

Assessment of Information

Police vetting information will not automatically exclude an applicant from membership.

The Board will consider factors including:

  • The nature and seriousness of the offence;

  • Whether the conduct involved violence, abuse, exploitation, dishonesty, or vulnerable persons;

  • The age of the offence;

  • Patterns of offending behaviour;

  • Evidence of rehabilitation;

  • Relevance of the information to counselling practice and public safety.

The Board may request additional information, references, or explanations before making a determination.

Suitability for Membership

The Board may decline, defer, condition, suspend, or terminate membership where it reasonably considers that an applicant or member poses an unacceptable risk to clients, colleagues, vulnerable persons, or the public.

Any decision will be made in accordance with:

  • Natural justice;

  • Procedural fairness;

  • The Privacy Act 2020;

  • The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004;

  • The Human Rights Act 1993.

Confidentiality

Police vetting information and criminal history information will be collected, stored, used, and disclosed only for the purpose of assessing membership suitability and managing public protection obligations.

All information will be treated as confidential and managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

Ongoing Obligations

Members must notify RFCB as soon as reasonably practicable if they:

  • Are charged with a serious criminal offence;

  • Are convicted of an offence that may affect their suitability to practise;

  • Become subject to professional restrictions, disciplinary findings, or safeguarding investigations.

Failure to disclose relevant information may itself constitute grounds for review of membership or disciplinary action.

 

Membership Assessment Process

All applications will ordinarily be reviewed by at least two independent assessors.

Assessment may include:

  • Review of qualifications and transcripts;

  • Professional references;

  • Review of supervision arrangements;

  • Case studies or professional portfolios;

  • Competency interviews;

  • Evidence of continuing professional development.

Provisional Membership

Applicants who do not yet meet all membership requirements may be granted Provisional Membership.

Provisional members may be required to:

  • Practise under approved supervision;

  • Complete additional supervision requirements;

  • Participate in professional development activities;

  • Submit case studies and reflective practice evidence;

  • Demonstrate competence before progressing to full membership.

Ongoing Requirements

To maintain membership, members must:

  • Comply with the RFCB Code of Ethics;

  • Participate in professional supervision;

  • Complete annual continuing professional development requirements;

  • Practise within their areas of competence;

  • Cooperate with Board investigations and reviews;

  • Maintain professional conduct and fitness to practise.

The Board reserves the right to impose conditions on membership, require additional supervision or education, suspend membership, or terminate membership where standards are not maintained.

Public Protection

RFCB's membership framework is designed to:

  • Promote safe and ethical practice;

  • Ensure reasonable verification of qualifications and competence;

  • Support accountability and professional development;

  • Provide mechanisms for complaints, investigation, and disciplinary action;

  • Reduce risk to clients and the public.