Potential counselors often ask about the benefits of the training and obtaining certification or license from the NCCA. Of course, the main benefit is knowledge. The training you receive provides a deep spiritual insight into understanding human behavior and relating to others. This knowledge is valuable in every area of life, including your ability to help those who are hurting.

Having NCCA credentials ensures that you are recognized within your community as a qualified Christian/Pastoral counselor. The community can be assured that your credentials are authentic and current. Other benefits available to NCCA members include qualifying for professional liability insurance, networking with other counselors and the opportunity to earn continuing education credits at seminars and conferences. In addition, the NCCA offers assistance to its members with regard to degree transfer work and fulfillment of academic goals.

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As a licensure candidate, you will learn the Arno Profile System (APS) for counseling. The APS is an easy-to-learn counseling technique used by thousands of lay counselors, professional counselors and pastors throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.

The Christian counselor administers a questionnaire, which takes fewer than ten minutes for the counselee to complete. The questionnaire measures the counselee's needs, natural traits, strengths, and weaknesses according to temperament. These are identified in the computerized Arno Profile System report, providing the counselor with in-depth information and the best way to counsel the individual.

The system enables a qualified counselor to identify the counselee's temperament problem swiftly and accurately.

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The training adjusts to meet the needs of Christians with different goals, including:

• Christians who want to be better equipped to minister to those who need counsel
• Pastors who want to learn how to counsel members of their community who are experiencing problems
• Christians who want to be credentialed and enter the field of counseling as a part-time or full-time ministry
• Professional counselors who want to become APS certified and learn a Biblically-based counseling model with proven success

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Each individual must decide if he or she wants to be an agent of the state or a servant of the Church (Body of Christ). If you have a Divine call on your life to counsel and minister to the hurting, then a state license may inhibit such ministry.

The National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) Licensing Program is not a state license and is, in fact, distinctly different. Most states have regulatory laws governing the practice of psychology. Many of them also legislate the practice of general counseling. The laws vary from state to state, for example, some states have a counselor category called "Licensed Professional Counselor." Therefore, the NCCA requires its counselors to clearly identify their license, e.g., "National Christian Counselors Association Licensed Pastoral Counselor" or "National Christian Counselors Association Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor." This ensures that the NCCA counselor is operating within legal and ethical standards and maintaining the public's trust and confidence.

State regulatory laws help to protect the public and ensure professionalism within the counseling profession. The NCCA strives to attain a similar goal within the Christian community and, at the same time, operate within compliance with state laws. The state and federal governments also have jurisdictional boundaries. They cannot pass laws that prevent the Church from fulfilling its purpose and ministering to humanity's needs. The state recognizes that counseling is one of the responsibilities of the Church and its clergy. For this reason, the state does not and must not interfere with the Ministry of Counseling.

The major difference between state-licensed professional counselors and Pastoral or Christian counselors, who are licensed by the NCCA and under the authority of the Church (Body of Christ), is clear and well-defined. Counselors who have been licensed by the state are held to strict ethical standards, which mandate an individual's right to be free from religious influence. The state license professional counselor is forbidden to pray, read or refer to the Holy Scriptures, counsel against things such as homosexuality, abortion, etc. Initiating such counsel would be considered unethical by the state. In most states in the U.S., state licensed counselors "must not promote their personal religious beliefs" according to the code of ethics in each respective state. The only time a state licensed counselor can involve religious (Christian) principles, morals, activities, instruction, etc., is if the counselee initiates or requests counsel in this area. The state-licensed counselor may not have the education, experience and knowledge of Scripture that the NCCA counselor provides.

In contrast, Pastoral counselors are required to pray, share their faith, read the Holy Scriptures, etc. The fact that Pastoral and Christian counselors do these things creates a clear distinction. We are two distinct professions and govern ourselves accordingly.

Clearly, the state governs secular counselors and the Church is responsible to set standards and govern ministers who have devoted their lives to the ministry and to Pastoral counseling. None of this is to say that the Christian counselor, minister or priest is not permitted to request fees and receive remuneration for the services they render, as long as they remain adherent to the state laws governing such procedures.

The NCCA requires all who are certified or licensed by its Licensing Board of Examiners to:

1. Be credentialed ministers (ordained, licensed or commissioned) whose goal is to evangelize and ease the emotional pain and suffering of humanity.
2. Provide their service under the authority of a legally organized local church, a national church organization or a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry.
3. Complete specialized training provided by the NCCA.
4. Complete the minimum requirements for continuing education and annual license renewal.
5. Uphold NCCA's Code of Ethical Standards.

Are you "called" by God to counsel and want to be licensed?

Many individuals who inquire about the National Christian Counselors Association's (NCCA) licensing program are already accountably ordained ministers whom are under the authority of their local church or denomination. These individuals can complete the requirements and be licensed as a Licensed Pastoral Counselor or as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor. In many states, they can counsel and accept remuneration for this service (in accordance with state and local guidelines) without being affiliated with any state agency or without being state licensed. Some states will require the clergy counselor to carry out their counseling under the sponsorship of a church or denomination to which they remain accountable. This is because the laws governing counseling in most states exempt "Clergy" from submitting to its (the states's) authority. You will need to make sure that your ministerial credentials and relationship to your church or denomination meet the requirements of licensing exemption in your state.

What about the others - those individuals who are not credentialed ministers or pastors? The call to counsel is just as real for them. They do not want to be state licensed and most certainly do not want to relinquish their right to represent Jesus Christ in their counseling ministry. They just want to answer and fulfill God's call on their lives.

Indeed, some are called to the high office of the pastorate. These persons should be credentialed (set aside) by a church or a denomination and approved to perform all the duties of the pastorate, including the dispensation of the sacraments (Lord's Supper and Baptism).

However, there are many other types of Ministers or Clergy. For example, Ministers of Music, Chaplains, Ministers of Administration, Missionaries, Youth Ministers, Evangelists, Pastoral Counselors, etc. All of these offices are understood by the state and federal government to be "Clergy."

The ministry of Counseling is a valid ministry which is instituted by God. The call into this ministry is an awesome call which cannot be easily ignored. Perhaps, you are not called to pastor a church or to give Lord's Supper or to Baptize. However, if you are called by God into the Ministry of Counseling, we can help you. You do not specifically have to be Ordained; you can qualify to be commissioned as a Commissioned Minister of Counseling. This should meet state requirements so you can legally offer spiritual Bible-based counseling and accept remuneration, because you will be in compliance with laws in your state that recognize the right of members of the Clergy to provide spiritual counseling. And, it will open the doors for you to accept God's call on your life. Your local church/denomination may be authorized to commission you as a Commissioned Minister of Pastoral Counseling.

Please do not reject God's call and His anointing on your life because you are fearful of the words "Clergy", "Ordained", "Commissioned" or Minister." These precious words mean "set aside" for the specific ministry for which God has called you.

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Courses
Each candidate must complete the following five (5) courses:

• Basic Christian Counseling
• Temperament Theory
• Testing / Measurements
• Temperament Therapy
• Christian Psychology and Counseling

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 10 individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the NCCA's Licensing Board of Examiners.
  • $50 for first year's annual dues.
  • A signed Application for Certification / Membership form and a signed copy of NCCA's Code of Ethical Standards

After completing all of the requirements for Phase I, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

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

Courses
Each candidate must complete the following three (3) courses:

• Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
• Temperament Case Studies
• Counseling the Co-Dependent

Additional requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 15 additional individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • A signed application of NCCA license. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. (This form authorizes the NCCA to secure a national background check to verify each candidate's history.)
  • Submit ministerial credentials. *
  • A certification / licensing fee of $100

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase II, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• Certified Pastoral Counselor (non-degreed)
• Licensed Pastoral Counselor (holds a Bachelors)
• Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor (holds a Masters)
• Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor-Advanced Certified (holds a Doctorate)

Or, if the candidate has a minimum of a Bachelors degree in advanced education they may request to be licensed as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor.

Annual membership and license renewal is required. Membership is currently $50 per year and license renewal is $20 per year (total $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.

The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $287. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

Clinical Supervisor is $50 per hour and every candidate must complete sic (6) hours of supervision.

* All candidate's are required to have ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not currently hold ministerial credentials, you may contact us for additional information.

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Courses
Each candidate must complete the following five (5) courses:

• Basic Christian Counseling
• Temperament Theory
• Testing / Measurements
• Temperament Therapy
• Christian Psychology and Counseling

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 10 individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the NCCA's Licensing Board of Examiners.
  • $50 for first year's annual dues.
  • A signed Application for Certification / Membership form and a signed copy of NCCA's Code of Ethical Standards
  • Written responses to a 500 questions open book equivalency exam on the Bible (Old and New Testament - KJV).
  • A letter authorizing NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved college.
  • Matriculation and transfer fees of $1,200 payable to: NCCA (a surcharge will be applied for payment by credit card)

After completing all of the requirements for Phase I, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• a Certified Temperament Counselor certificate and
• a Clinical Member (non-clergy) or Professional Clinical Member (clergy) certificate and membership card.
• a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Counseling

Courses
Each candidate must complete the following three (3) courses:

• Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
• Temperament Case Studies
• Counseling the Co-Dependent

Additional requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 15 additional individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • A signed application of NCCA license. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. (This form authorizes the NCCA to secure a national background check to verify each candidate's history.)
  • Submit ministerial credentials. *
  • A certification / licensing fee of $100

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase II, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Pastoral Counselor certificate and card

Or, if the candidate has a minimum of a Bachelors degree in advanced education they may request to be licensed as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor.

Annual membership and license renewal is required. Membership is currently $50 per year and license renewal is $20 per year (total $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.

The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $287. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

Clinical Supervisor is $50 per hour and every candidate must complete sic (6) hours of supervision.

* All candidate's are required to have ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not currently hold ministerial credentials, you may contact us for additional information.

Advanced Courses

Integrated Marriage and Family Therapy

1. Marriage and Family Counseling - An Integrated Approach
2. Integrated Temperament Couple Therapy
3. Pre-Marriage Counseling with Temperament
4. The Father-Daughter Connection

Child and Adolescent Therapy

1. Counseling Families
2. Counseling and Children
3. Counseling Youth
4. Counseling and the Search for Meaning

Substance Abuse and Addiction Therapy

1. Counseling for Substance Abuse and Addiction
2. Counseling Adult Children of Alcoholics
3. Counseling for Problems of Self-Control
4. Counseling those with Eating Disorders

Sexual Therapy

1. Counseling for Sexual Disorders
2. Counseling and Homosexuality
3. Counseling for Problems of Self-Control
4. Counseling for Unplanned Pregnancy & Infertility

Death and Grief Therapy

1. Counseling the Sick and Terminally Ill
2. Counseling for Anger
3. Joy - In the Midst of Mourning
4. Counseling Families of Children with Disabilities

Cognitive Therapy and Ethics

1. Cognitive Therapy Techniques
2. Life's Answers through Counseling with God
3. Quality, Ethics and Legal Issues in Christian Counseling
4. Innovative Approaches in Counseling

Crisis and Abuse Therapy

1. Counseling for Family Violence/Abuse
2. Counseling in Times of Crisis
3. Counseling for Anger
4. Counseling the Depressed

Temperament Therapy

1. Temperament Case Studies
2. Life's Answers through Counseling with God
3. Living in the Spirit - Utilizing Temperament
4. Counseling the Co-dependent: A Christian Perspective Utilizing Temperament

Domestic Violence and Intervention Therapy
Applicant must hold a Masters degree or higher, be licensed by the NCCA and be Advanced-Certified in Crisis & Abuse Therapy as well as completing the following five (5) courses:

1. Temperament Case Studies
2. Counseling for Substance Abuse and Addiction
3. Counseling for Problems of Self-Control
4. Counseling Families
5. Counseling and Self-Esteem

Group Therapy
Applicant must hold a Masters degree or higher, be licensed by the NCCA and be Advanced-Certified in Integrated Marriage & Family Therapy in order to qualify for this specialty area of Advanced Certification. Then, the candidate must complete one additional course entitle Group Therapy.

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • One (1) copy of a written thesis. This normally consists of 25 reports (case studies) developed from the candidate's work with 25 individuals using the APS reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies. The thesis has a 100 page minimum.
  • A letter authorizing NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved college
  • Matriculation and transfer fees of $1,500.00 payable to: NCCA
    (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply.)
  • $50 made payable to: NCCA (to upgrade the candidate's license to the MA level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor.)

The tuition for each advanced course is currently $184. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor certificate, card and,
• the appropriate Advanced Certification certificates for selected specialty areas completed and,
• a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Christian Counseling

Note: Program 2 is a combined License, BA and MA program. Commitment to the entire program is required. A candidate cannot complete the BA portion and then discontinue his/her studies unless providentially hindered.

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Courses
Each candidate must complete the following five (5) courses:

• Basic Christian Counseling
• Temperament Theory
• Testing / Measurements
• Temperament Therapy
• Christian Psychology and Counseling

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 10 individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the NCCA's Licensing Board of Examiners.
  • $50 for first year's annual dues.
  • A signed Application for Certification / Membership form and a signed copy of NCCA's Code of Ethical Standards

After completing all of the requirements for Phase I, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

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

Courses
Each candidate must complete the following three (3) courses:

• Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
• Temperament Case Studies
• Counseling the Co-Dependent

Additional requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 15 additional individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • A signed application of NCCA license. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. (This form authorizes the NCCA to secure a national background check to verify each candidate's history.)
  • Submit ministerial credentials. *
  • A certification / licensing fee of $100

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase II, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Pastoral Counselor certificate and card

Or, if the candidate has a minimum of a Bachelors degree in advanced education they may request to be licensed as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor.

Annual membership and license renewal is required. Membership is currently $50 per year and license renewal is $20 per year (total $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.

The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $287. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

Clinical Supervisor is $50 per hour and every candidate must complete sic (6) hours of supervision.

* All candidate's are required to have ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not currently hold ministerial credentials, you may contact us for additional information.

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • One (1) copy of a written thesis. This normally consists of 25 reports (case studies) developed from the candidate's work with 25 individuals using the APS reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies. The thesis has a 100 page minimum.
  • A letter authorizing NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved college
  • Matriculation and transfer fees of $1,500.00 payable to: NCCA
    (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply.)
  • $50 made payable to: NCCA (to upgrade the candidate's license to the MA level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor.)

The tuition for each advanced course is currently $184. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor certificate, card and,
• the appropriate Advanced Certification certificate for selected specialty area completed and,
• a Master of Arts degree

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Courses
Each candidate must complete the following five (5) courses:

• Basic Christian Counseling
• Temperament Theory
• Testing / Measurements
• Temperament Therapy
• Christian Psychology and Counseling

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 10 individuals under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the NCCA's Licensing Board of Examiners.
  • $50 for first year's annual dues.
  • A signed Application for Certification / Membership form and a signed copy of NCCA's Code of Ethical Standards

After completing all of the requirements for Phase I, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

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

Courses
Each candidate must complete the following three (3) courses:

• Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
• Temperament Case Studies
• Counseling the Co-dependent

Additional requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 15 additional individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • A signed application of NCCA license. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. (This form authorizes the NCCA to secure a national background check to verify each candidate's history.)
  • Submit ministerial credentials. *
  • A certification / licensing fee of $100

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase II, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Pastoral Counselor certificate and card

Or, if the candidate has a minimum of a Bachelors degree in advanced education they may request to be licensed as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor.

Annual membership and license renewal is required. Membership is currently $50 per year and license renewal is $20 per year (total $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.

The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $287. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

Clinical Supervisor is $50 per hour and every candidate must complete sic (6) hours of supervision.

* All candidate's are required to have ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not currently hold ministerial credentials, you may contact us for additional information.

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • One (1) copy of a written dissertation. This normally consists of 35 reports (25 generated for license practicum plus 10 additional) individual reports (case studies) developed from the candidate's work with 35 individuals using the APS reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies. The dissertation has a 140 page minimum.
  • A letter authorizing NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved college
  • Matriculation and transfer fees of $1,500.00 payable to: NCCA
    (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply.)
  • $50 made payable to: NCCA (to upgrade the candidate's license to the doctorate level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor - Advanced Certified.)

The tuition for each advanced course is currently $184. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor - Advanced Certified certificate, card and,
• the appropriate Advanced Certification certificates for selected specialty areas completed and,
• a Doctoral degree in Clinical Christian Counseling

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Courses
Each candidate must complete the following five (5) courses:

• Basic Christian Counseling
• Temperament Theory
• Testing / Measurements
• Temperament Therapy
• Christian Psychology and Counseling

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 10 individuals under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the NCCA's Licensing Board of Examiners.
  • $50 for first year's annual dues.
  • A signed Application for Certification / Membership form and a signed copy of NCCA's Code of Ethical Standards

After completing all of the requirements for Phase I, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

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

Courses
Each candidate must complete the following three (3) courses:

• Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
• Temperament Case Studies
• Counseling the Co-dependent

Additional requirements
Each candidate must:

• Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the APS to 15 additional individuals under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • A signed application of NCCA license. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. (This form authorizes the NCCA to secure a national background check to verify each candidate's history.)
  • Submit ministerial credentials. *
  • A certification / licensing fee of $100

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase II, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Pastoral Counselor certificate and card

Or, if the candidate has a minimum of a Bachelors degree in advanced education they may request to be licensed as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor.

Annual membership and license renewal is required. Membership is currently $50 per year and license renewal is $20 per year (total $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.

The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $287. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

Clinical Supervisor is $50 per hour and every candidate must complete sic (6) hours of supervision.

* All candidate's are required to have ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not currently hold ministerial credentials, you may contact us for additional information.

Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:

• Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
  • A letter authorizing NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved college
  • Matriculation and transfer fees of $1,500.00 payable to: NCCA
    (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply.)

The tuition for each advanced course is currently $184. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is ordered. Personal check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Payment can also be made on this website through PayPal.

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

• A Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor - Advanced Certified certificate, card and,
• the appropriate Advanced Certification certificates for selected specialty areas completed and,
• a Doctoral degree in Clinical Christian Counseling

Being APS Certified Qualifies You to Administer Four (4) Types of Biblically-based Profiles

The Center for Christian Counseling & Training requires a $75 enrollment fee, which must accompany the Enrollment Agreement. This is refunded only if the candidate is not accepted into the program for lack of qualifications.

The tuition for all National Christian Counseling Association (NCCA) Phase I and Phase II courses is currently $287 per course. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order.

The tuition for all Advanced Courses is currently $184 per course. There is a $3 handling fee per course plus actual shipping cost added to each order. Candidates may choose to provide the Center for Christian Counseling & Training with a valid credit card number and expiration date so the tuition can be paid as each course is ordered.

In addition to the tuition, the candidate is required to pay the clinical supervisor. The fee for clinical supervision is $50 per hour for a required minimum of six (6) hours.

The course tuition and clinical supervision fees do not include the cost of the APS reports. The candidate's cost for the APS reports is currently $25 each. The fee for the APS reports is not considered an expense to the candidate since the fees may be passed on to the person being tested. Charging for the APS report is left to the discretion of the candidate. Fees of $50-$85 for an APS report is very reasonable.

If you are working toward a degree, the matriculation and transfer fees for a degree must be paid after all requirements have been fulfilled. The matriculation and transfer fees for a BA degree are $1,200 and the fees for either a MA or a Doctorate degree are $1,500. This fee is for the awarding of the college degree and is not included in the Center for Christian Counseling & Training course tuition/standard fees. (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply.)

After completion of Phase II, a $100 licensing fee is required with a signed copy of Application for NCCA License (completed at end of Phase II) along with the Notification & Release form for Personal National Screening.

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The time element involved is approximately 40-50 clock hours per course. This depends on the candidate's own personal academic skills. All National Christian Counseling Association (NCCA) courses are provided in written format and are provided as independent home study (distance education).

Final examinations are closed book and require a proctor to ensure the integrity of the training.

Click the name of the course to view course description details.

[ Note: If the description does not appear when you click the course name, you may need to adjust your browser's pop-up blocker or Trusted sites security settings. ]

Basic Christian Counseling
Author: Richard G. Arno, Ph.D.

Temperament Case Studies
Compiled by: Phyllis J.Arno, Ph.D.

Christian Psychology & Counseling
Authors: Terry D. King, Ph.D., Debra L. King, Ph.D.
Richard G. Arno, Ph.D. & Phyllis J. Arno, Ph.D.

Temperament Theory
Richard G. Arno, Ph.D.

Counseling the Co-Dependent:
A Christian Perspective Utilizing Temperament
Author: Jean M. LaCour, Ph.D.

Temperament Therapy
Author: Richard G. Arno, Ph.D.

Mastering Pastoral Counseling
Utilizing Temperament
Authors: Rev. John W. Luton, M.A.,
Richard G. Arno, Ph.D. & Phyllis J. Arno, Ph.D.

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Testing / Measurements
Authors: Richard G. Arno, Ph.D. &
Phyllis J. Arno, Ph.D.

All Course Descriptions
(Download Adobe PDF Document)

The Center for Christian Counseling & Training is a Certified Academic Institution of the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA).

The NCCA is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission International (ACI) as a Comprehensive Accredited Member. For information regarding NCCA's standing, please contact ACI at:

Phone: 501.882.3361
Online: Accreditnow.com

The NCCA is also fully accredited by National Private Schools Accreditation Alliance (NPSAA). For information regarding NCCA's standing, please contact NPSAA at:

Phone: 407.522.0124
Online: NPSAG.com

This group of professionals from diverse fields of expertise assisted in establishing and promoting the criteria for credentialing members, which is currently utilized, representing the continual high level of integrity and professionalism to which the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) strives to maintain.

To read more about each board members education and background, click their name.

[ Note: If the description does not appear when you click the course name, you may need to adjust your browser's pop-up blocker or Trusted sites security settings. ]

The Center for Christian Counseling & Training and the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) admits students of any gender, race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies and/or admission policies.

Further, the Center for Christian Counseling & Training and the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) does not discriminate in admission or employment practices with respect to those with impaired vision, hearing, physical mobility or age.

The Center for Christian Counseling & Training is incorporated in the state of South Dakota doing business in the state of Florida as a Foreign Corporation and is a church ministry not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation. The NCCA is incorporated in the state of Florida and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation.

Disclaimer: All information provided herein and throughout this website, including all stated tuition and fees, as well as course and student requirements, are deemed as accurate on posting date; however, guarantees are neither provided nor implied and all information is subject to revision at any time.

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