Developmental Transactional Analysis Qualifications - Vocational and Professional

Note: this is a summary for guidance only and should not be relied upon when decisions are made – the original documents should be referred to before signing any contracts.  Note also that requirements change from time to time so this document may not be up-to-date.

Note: the working language of EATA is English.  When written or oral exams are taken, the candidate is responsible for arranging translation.  There may be financial assistance available in special cases.

Terminology: 

(P) TSTA – (Provisional) Teaching & Supervising Transactional Analyst – endorsed by EATA/ITAA to provide advanced training and supervision.  Advanced TA training and TA supervision can only be provided by PTSTA’s and TSTA’s.  Such (P)TSTA’s are not required to be qualified in the same field as the student.  However, a sponsoring (P)TSTA is required to be in the same field unless this is impossible, in which case EATA may grant an exception.

Note: the only attendance certificate recognised by the TA community is for the TA 101.  For all other levels, certificates are given after demonstration of competence.  Attendance certificates may be signed by TA trainers/supervisors to meet cultural norms but have no status in terms of accreditation.

ICDTA – International Centre for Developmental Transactional Analysis

EATA – European Association for Transactional Analysis

ITAA – International Transactional Analysis Association

EATA and ITAA qualifications are equivalent under the Training & Certification Council of Transactional Analysis, which brings together EATA, ITAA and WPATA (Western Pacific Association for TA).

DTAVA – Developmental TA Vocational Award 

These are designed for those who do not want a professional qualification but would like to ensure that their application of TA is competent.  

DTAVA’s can be awarded to various professional groups, such as Managers & Executives, Coaches & Mentors , Teachers & Educators , Consultants & Facilitators. 

There are no prescribed lessons or activities; applicants are expected to demonstrate their understanding and application of at least six TA concepts.  The following is not a complete list and is included here for guidance on the level at which TA theory may be regarded as a concept for DTAVA purposes. 

 The emphasis in the award is on understanding and application. Applicants are also encouraged to provide a range of types of evidence. Possibilities might include: 

Written accounts ,correspondence,  worksheet responses, drawings and diagrams, video footage, photographs, paintings, models, clay work, craftwork, audiotapes, work based on TV/media stimulus, web-based responses 

When participants have created an item of evidence – regardless of its format – they will include it in their portfolio and list it on a contents page at the front.  This is to ensure the learner presents their understanding and application in a way that makes it easily seen by the moderator and others. 

In addition to having evidence of individual assessment, participants are encouraged to build up evidence provided by their colleagues or fellow students.  This evidence can again take different formats, for example through audio/video footage and/or written accounts. 

CTA – Certified Transactional Analyst 

This is the internationally-recognised professional qualification. 

EATA.  Available in 4 fields – Organisational, Educational, Psychotherapy or Counselling – students opt for the field in which most of their work is done.

To become CTA, students must:

1. attend a TA 101 (or pass 101 exam)
2. sign a contract with a sponsor in the same field of application and have this contract endorsed by EATA.  The contract need not be signed at the start of TA involvement but must be signed and endorsed at least 18 months before final examination
3. attend at least 600 hours of professional training of which at least 300 must be advanced TA training
4. receive at least 150 hours of supervision, of which 75 must be with a recognised TA supervisor and 40 of which must be with the sponsor
5. complete 500 hours of continuing professional development, which may include more TA training and supervision, non-TA training and supervision, peer group activities, reading, researching, etc.  The type of CPD activities must be approved by the sponsor
6. complete at least 750 hours professional client contact, of which 500 must involve application of TA
7. items 3-6 must total at least 2000 hours in total
8. complete a written exam which comprises a professional self-portrayal, an account of learning during the training period, a description with analysis of a significant piece of professional work using TA, and a set of 6 theory essays chosen from a list of set questions
9. the written exam must be approved by their sponsor and then blind-marked as acceptable by another person qualified in TA
10. prepare a log showing how the various hours requirements have been met
11. produce 3 tape recordings of 5 minutes each, with transcripts, that are extracts from longer pieces of work and demonstrate the candidate’s competence in the field of application chosen
12. sit an oral examination with a panel of 4 examiners, lasting about one hour, at which one or more tapes are played and the candidate’s competence to practice is assessed

Note: on the basis of at least 16 days teaching and supervision per year, most candidates take 4-5 years to reach CTA status. 

Note: CTA exams are run at most European and international TA conferences, and at some national TA conferences.  Dates are published ahead of time in TA newsletters and websites.

 ICDTA Professional Qualifications  

These are qualifications awarded by the ICDTA.  They represent approximately 25% and 50% of the requirements for CTA, although there is no requirement that student must continue to that level. 

Because of the nature of transactional analysis, students are expected to spend a significant amount of time in self-study, application and/or research of TA in their professional context. They will also be expected to present their own work and obtain coaching and supervision within the training group.  This will normally occur within specific supervision days.   

In addition to the hours of self-directed practice/application indicated, students will be expected to have attained general experience in their chosen profession before any award is made.  

The table below shows the requirements for each ICDTA qualification and how these relate to the CTA. 

For each level, there are minimum requirements for:

·         overall hours – the sum of training, supervision and professional development activities plus hours spent applying TA professionally.

·         training hours – studying TA with an internationally accredited TA trainer (for CTA 300 hours may be on topics other than TA), these include sessions at conferences and other events.

·         supervision hours – presenting own work to an internationally accredited TA supervisor; a set proportion of the total must be undertaken with the same supervisor so they get an overview

·         application hours – using TA professionally to help others develop; this may be with clients or colleagues but may not be with subordinates as the dual relationship makes contracting impossible; may be coaching, team facilitation, mediating, consulting, teaching, training or similar activities.

·         additional professional development hours – these may be additional training or supervision hours, time spent studying, researching, shadowing or co-working, or other activities approved by the sponsor.

·         essays/case studies – these are defined for specific modules (and for CTA) and students have a choice of topics.

·         portfolios/oral exam – these are collations of evidence including tape recordings, compiled to demonstrate competent application of TA together with ongoing development of the student’s ability to analyse self and others. 

Table – Requirements Summary 

 click to download the ICDTA Prof Quals Handbook PDF

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