ASSOCIATE PASTORAL MEMBER
ASSOCIATE CHRISTIAN MEMBER
(Entry level – Where everyone without training begins)
Those in ministry, without previous counseling training, who are not licensed ministers, are required to begin
at this level. The Associate Member level is a non-certified level for those
demonstrating interest and desire to grow in their knowledge of Pastoral Care and Counseling.
A person at this level should not attempt any work, but should observe
with their mentor in structured settings. Required coursework topics include
Biblical counseling basics, crisis intervention/suicide prevention, active listening skills, and counseling ethics, and must
be completed before the Associate Member may advance to the next skill level. This training may be obtained at any educational
center recognized by the A.A.C.T., or can be taken through the Institute of Theology & Christian Therapy, the external
studies division of the A.A.C.T. Any other preparation required to pass the Biblical
Knowledge and Basic Counseling Skills Test should be undertaken. This level requires
a pastor or spiritual Elder with experience in counseling to act as a mentor for the Associate Member. This person also must be recommended by his/her pastor, and submit two character references.
Membership/annual renewal fee - $29 per year
PASTORAL CARE MEMBER - (Non-certified level)
CHRISTIAN CARE MEMBER - (Non-certified level)
A candidate for the Pastoral Care Member or the Christian Care Member level should be a Licensed Minister
with some training and experience in providing pastoral or other ministry care, or an Associate Member who has completed the
requirements of the Associate Member level, and met the requirements for Pastoral licensing through the Evangelical Christian
Church (ECC http://ecc.dayspringmi.com), or other Christian denomination. The
Pastoral or Christian Care Member may be required to pass the Biblical Knowledge and Basic Counseling Skills Test. This is a hands-on training level requiring very direct supervision and oversight
of a mentor Pastor or spiritual Elder. The mentor must certify that they will
provide a minimum of four hours of supervision per month, or one supervision hour for every four hours of pastoral care provided.
Pastoral recommendation required, and two character references. Membership/annual renewal fee - $44 Testing fee - $15
PASTORAL CARE MEMBER, COLLEAGUE
CHRISTIAN
CARE MEMBER, COLLEAGUE
Non-certified level
To be considered for the Colleague designation of the Pastoral or Christian Care Member level, an applicant, in
addition to the requirements for the C.P.M./C.C.M., must submit an additional two (2 ) references, additional certificates
or proof of continuing education beyond the initial required training courses, and a letter of recommendation from his/her
denominational/fellowship superior.
Membership/annual renewal fee - $55
REGISTERED PASTORAL CARE PROVIDER
REGISTERED CHRISTIAN CARE PROVIDER
Non-certified level (Registration number assigned)
The Registered Pastoral or Christian Care Provider should be a Licensed Minister with training and experience in
providing pastoral care, with at least 40 units (including some counseling related courses) towards their Associate’s
Degree in Theology, Ministry, Christian Counseling or a related discipline. (College unit requirements may be waived for ministers
able to document extensive ministry experience, and alternative education, on a case by case basis.) At this level of registration, ministers are placed in our data base and assigned a registration number. They must be working under the supervision of a highly experienced mentor Pastor or
spiritual Elder, and the Mentor must certify that they will provide a minimum of one hour supervision, for every five hours
of Pastoral Care. The Registered Pastoral or Christian Care Provider may be required
to pass the Biblical Knowledge and Basic Counseling Skills Test. Pastoral recommendation
is required, plus two character references.
Registration/annual renewal fee - $50 Testing Fee - $15
REGISTERED PASTORAL CARE PROVIDER – COLLEAGUE
REGISTERED CHRISTIAN CARE PROVIDER – COLLEAGUE
Non–certified level (Registration number assigned)
To be considered for the Colleague designation of the Registered Pastoral or Christian Care Provider level, an
applicant, in addition to the requirements of the R.P.C.P. or R.C.C.P. level, must submit an additional two references, a
letter of recommendation from his/her denominational/fellowship superior, have completed their Associate degree, or have completed
60 or more units towards their Bachelor degree in Theology, Ministry, Christian Counseling, or a related discipline. (College
units may be waived for additional certificates showing extensive alternative, continuing education on a case by case basis.)
Registration/annual renewal fee $59
A.A.C.T.’s first certification comes
at the Bachelor’s degree level or for non degreed persons with special training that is verifiable by or taught
by AACT in special classes. At this level, we begin to more seriously scrutinize
the education, counseling experience, and training of the applicant. This title
has been modified to “Care Counselor” to accurately describe the appropriate level of advancement within the counseling
field. With additional time in ministry, one may apply for the colleague designation,
as described below.
CERTIFIED PASTORAL CARE COUNSELOR
CERTIFIED CHRISTIAN CARE COUNSELOR
(Certification number assigned)
An applicant for the Pastoral or Christian Care Counselor Certification must be a Licensed or Ordained minister,
with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Ministry, Christian Counseling, or a related discipline, from an approved educational
institution. They must be working under the supervision of a Master’s level
(or highly experienced) mentor Pastor or spiritual Elder, and receiving one hour of supervision for every ten hours of Pastoral
Care provided. The Certified Pastoral or Christian Care Counselor may be required
to pass the Biblical Knowledge and Counseling Skills Test. Pastoral recommendation
plus two letters of reference required. Certification/renewal
fee- $54 Testing- $15
CERTIFIED PASTORAL CARE COUNSELOR - COLLEAGUE
CERTIFIED CHRISTIAN CARE COUNSELOR – COLLEAGUE
To be considered for the Colleague
designation of Certified Pastoral or Christian Care Counselor, the applicant must meet the requirements for C.P.C.C./C.C.C.C.,
submit two additional letters of reference, provide a letter of recommendation from his/her denominational/fellowship superior,
and submit five additional certificates of proof of continuing education beyond the initial required Bachelor’s Degree.
Certification/annual renewal fee $66
CERTIFIED BIBLICAL COUNSELOR, Level 1 - $54
CERTIFIED BIBLICAL COUNSELOR, Level 2 - $59
CERTIFIED BIBLICAL COUNSELOR, Level 3 - $64
CERTIFIED BIBLICAL COUNSELOR, Level 4 - $69
An applicant for the Certified Biblical Counselor must be a Licensed or Ordained minister, with special training
offered by AACT or another approved educational institution. They must be
working under the supervision of a Master’s level (or highly experienced) mentor Pastor or spiritual Elder, and receiving
one hour of supervision for every ten hours of Pastoral Care provided. The Certified
Biblical Counselor may be required to pass the Biblical Knowledge and Counseling Skills Test. Pastoral recommendation plus two letters of reference required
At the Master’s level we split
the certification/licensing process. For “Track A”, we have used the word “counselor” as it accurately
describes ministers who utilize primarily a theological lens, or who are highly trained to provide short term counseling intervention
and assistance as a part of their general ministerial duties, and who hold degrees in theology, ministry, or religious education. For “Track B”, we have used the word “therapist” to describe
ministers who highly integrate theology and psychology, who provide short and long term
therapeutic intervention, or who hold degrees in Christian Counseling,
Counseling Theology, or Psychology.
TRACK A – PASTORAL & CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
CERTIFIED SKILLED PASTORAL COUNSELOR
CERTIFIED SKILLED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
A candidate for the Skilled Pastoral or Christian Counselor Certification must be an Ordained Minister with
a Master’s Degree in Theology, Ministry, Religion, Christian Education) from
an approved academic institution. They must agree to case consultation with an
experienced counselor on a regular basis to insure the integrity of their work. The
C.P.C.P. or C.C.C.C. may be required to pass a Board Exam that focuses on counseling Theology and ethical considerations in
the field of Pastoral Counseling. Pastoral recommendation is required, in addition
to three character references.
Certification fee - $59 Testing - $20
CERTIFIED SKILLED PASTORAL COUNSELOR – FELLOW
CERTIFIED SKILLED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR – FELLOW
To be considered for the Fellow designation of the Certified Skilled Pastoral or Christian Counselor level, the
applicant must meet the requirements for the C.S.C.C./C.S.C.C. level, have experienced additional time in ministry, provide
two additional letters of reference from ministers with knowledge of his/her work, and submit three continuing education certificates.
Certification Fee - $75
It is expected that the person granted above
the level of C.P.C.C. or C.C.C.C. be involved in annual continual education ,
or working in a Doctoral program. If a person is not engaged in a Doctoral program,
he/she may wish to specialize in a specific area of counseling.
LICENSED SKILLED PASTORAL COUNSELOR
LICENSED SKILLED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
A candidate for the Licensed Skilled Pastoral or Skilled Christian Counselor must be an Ordained Minister
with a Doctoral Degree in Theology, Ministry, Religion or a related discipline, from an approved academic institution, or
a Master’s degree in the same, with extensive post graduate experience and proof of continuing education. Peer consultation (Doctoral level applicant) or consultation with a mentor (Master’s level applicant)
is recommended. A Board Exam focusing on counseling skills, ethical considerations,
and supervisory responsibilities within the field of Pastoral Counseling may be required.
Pastoral recommendation and three character references are required.
Licensing/annual renewal fee - $64 Testing - $20
LICENSED SKILLED PASTORAL COUNSELOR – FELLOW (Master’s
level applicant)
LICENSED SKILLED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR – FELLOW (Master’s
level applicant)
LICENSED SKILLED PASTORAL COUNSELOR – DIPLOMATE (Doctoral level
applicant)
LICENSED SKILLED CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR – DIPLOMATE (Doctoral level
applicant)
To be considered for the Fellow or Doctoral designation as a Licensed Skilled Pastoral or Christian Counselor,
the applicant must meet the requirements of the L.S.P.C./L.S.C.C. level, submit two additional references, provide five additional
certificates of proof of continuing education, and submit a letter of recommendation from his/her denominational/fellowship
superior. Counselors at his level are may provide supervision to other A.A.C.T.
counselors.
Licensing/Annual
renewal fee - $79 / Fee for Diplomate - $89.00
The following category is only for
the Minister with a Doctoral degree with a counseling minor, extensive experience in counseling, or other continued education.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL
PASTORAL COUNSELOR
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
A candidate for the Licensed Professional Pastoral Counselor level must be an ordained minister with a Doctoral
degree in Theology, Religion, Ministry or Religious Education, with a minor in Counseling, from a recognized academic institution. Extensive experience in counseling, additional certificates or other proof of continued
education will be considered, on a case by case basis, in lieu of the minor in Counseling.
A Board Exam may be required to demonstrate knowledge of counseling, theology, ethical considerations, and supervisory
responsibilities within the field of Pastoral Counseling. The L.P.P.C./L.P.C.C.
may supervise other others, and if able, offer two hours of supervision monthly to other members of A.A.C.T. Two references from pastors having knowledge of the candidates work, plus one character reference is required.
Licensing/Annual registration
fee - $69 Testing - $20
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL PASTORAL COUNSELOR – DIPLOMATE
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR – DIPLOMATE
To be considered for the Licensed Professional Pastoral or Christian Counselor – Diplomate designation, in
addition to the requirements for L.P.P.C./L.P.C.C., the applicant must submit two additional references, seven additional
certificates or proof of continuing education, five years experience as a Licensed Professional Pastoral or Christian Counselor,
and a letter of recommendation from his/her denominational/fellowship superior.
Licensing fee -$89
