National Certified Pastoral Counselor I (NCPC I)

This level of certification is designed for the para-professional / volunteer counselor working in a supervised clinical setting or for supervised lay counselors.

Certification Requirements

Education
Associates or Bachelors degree from a school that is regionally accredited, accredited by DETC (Distance Education and Training Council), or from one of the NBCPC Approved Schools.

Coursework must include a minimum of 6 semester hours of undergraduate education in Pastoral Counseling, Ministry, or Theology with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 6 semester hours of undergraduate 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.

Re-Certification
NCPC I counselors are required to be re-certified every 2 years.

Continuing Education
NCPC I counselors are required to complete 12 approved CEU's per year.