IRCEP was created in 2009 by which organization to assist in approving international counseling programs and creating standards?

• A. CACREP
• B. APA
• C. ACA
• D. NBCC

Answer: (A)

CACREP is the organization behind this initiative. As the main accrediting body for counselor education programs, CACREP develops and maintains the standards that define a quality master’s or doctoral counseling program. In 2009, CACREP established the International Registry for Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP) to help identify and evaluate counseling programs outside the United States and to promote alignment with CACREP’s accreditation criteria. This creates a consistent framework so international programs can be recognized or evaluated against the same standards used for U.S. programs, supporting quality and portability in counselor education globally. Other groups like APA, which focuses on psychology; ACA, a professional association for counselors; and NBCC, which handles credentialing, do not serve as the accrediting body responsible for international program standards, which is why CACREP is the correct source of IRCEP.