National Certified Pastoral Counselor III (NCPC III)

This level of certification is designed for the professional pastoral counselor or for the professional counselor working independently or in a clinical setting.

Certification Requirements

Education
Doctoral degree in Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Divinity, Ministry, Social Work (or equivalent) from a college or university that is regionally accredited, accredited by DETC (Distance Education and Training Council), or from a NBCPC Approved Schools.

Coursework must include a minimum of 20 semester hours of graduate education in Pastoral Counseling, Ministry, or Theology with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 20 semester hours of graduate education in Counseling with a minimum GPA of 3.0

Exam
Successfully complete NBCPC II exams

or both

• Pastoral Certification – Received a NBCPC Approved Pastoral Certifications
• Counseling Certification – State licensure as a Psychologist, Social Worker, Therapist, Alcohol and Drug Counselor (or equivalent), or successfully complete the NCE (National Counselor Examination), or recieved an approved NBCPC Counseling Certifications.

Experience
1000 hours of work as a Counselor, Pastoral Counselor, Social Worker, Therapist, Alcohol and Drug Counselor or equivalent and 50 hours of individual, documented supervision.

Re-Certification
NCPC III counselors are required to be re-certified every 3 years.

Continuing Education
NCPC III counselors are required to complete 24 approved CEU's per year.