Thank you for choosing Vital 2 Life as your National Christian Counselor's Association Certified Academic Institution. We are very excited to be working with you on this journey toward Pastoral Counseling. Below is the breakdown of the 2 phases. 

Certification or License (Only)

Procedures and Requirements

A minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent

Complete Phase I:

Courses

Each candidate must complete the following 5 courses:

1. Basic Christian Counseling
2. Temperament Theory
3. Testing/Measurements
4. Temperament Therapy
5. Christian Counseling: Integrating Temperament and Psychology

Additional Requirements

Each candidate must:

1. Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 10 individuals and (3) hours of clinical supervision under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
2. Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
   1. Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the N.C.C.A.’s Licensing Board of Examiners.
   2. $50 for Phase I administrative fee.
   3. A signed Application for Certification/Membership form.
   4. A signed copy of N.C.C.A.’s Code of Ethical Standards.
   5. A copy of the highest earned degree, diploma, or transcript.
   6. Additional required documents; photo, resume, references.

Upon completion of Phase I requirements, subsequent review, and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

• a Certified Temperament Counselor certificate and
• a Clinical Member (non-clergy) or Professional Clinical Member (clergy) certificate, membership card, and lapel pin

Complete Phase II:

Courses

Each candidate must complete the following 3 courses:

1. Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
2. Temperament Case Studies
3. Counseling the Codependent

Additional Requirements

Each candidate must:

1. Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 15 individuals and (3) hours of clinical supervision under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
2. Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
   1. A signed application for N.C.C.A. license.
   2. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening authorizes a national background check to verify each candidate’s history. (Candidates with felony convictions do not qualify for licensing with the N.C.C.A.).
   3. Submit current ministerial credentials.*
   4. A certification / licensing fee of $100.

Upon completion of Phase II requirements, subsequent review and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

• Certified Pastoral Counselor (high-school diploma, GED or Associates)
• Licensed Pastoral Counselor (holds a Bachelors)
• Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor (holds a Masters)
• Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor-Advanced Certification (holds a Doctorate)
• Certified Temperament Pastoral Counselor (Optional) (additional $39 fee applies)

Annual membership and certification/license renewal is required to maintain valid N.C.C.A. credentials. A signed affidavit must be submitted annually.

The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $292. There is a $5 processing fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. 

Clinical Supervisors are to be paid $50 per hour and every candidate must complete six (6) hours of supervision.

*All candidates are required to have current ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not already have valid ministerial credentials, we recommend you speak with your local pastor or church leadership about attaining these credentials through your local church or denomination.