Approved Certification Programs

Below is the current listing of national ministry organizations and arch/diocesan programs of ministry formation with standards and procedures for certification approved by the USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service, as well as programs preparing for approval. Learn more about how programs and organizations gain approval.

Alliance of National Ministry Organizations with Approved Certification Standards

THE ALLIANCE FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTERS

For details on the certification standards and procedures for the organizations of the Alliance, visit their website. For details on the organizations themselves, to inquire about membership, or to speak with someone about the certifications offered through the Alliance, visit the organizational websites listed below, or contact the leader of the organization through the email address provided.

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC)

Certifications offered through the Alliance

Diocesan Director of Worship
Parish Director of Liturgy

Organization website

Contact: Rita Thiron, Executive Director (Office email)

In Word & Witness

Certifications offered through the Alliance

Parish Catechetical Leader
Parish Director of Evangelization

Organization website

Contact: Margaret Matijasevic, Executive Director (Office email)

National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM)

Certifications offered through the Alliance

Pastoral Associate
Parish Business Manager
Parish Life Coordinator

Organization website

Contact: Jamie Moloney, Board President (Office email)

National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM)

Certification offered through the Alliance

Director of Music Ministries

Organization website

Contact: Jennifer Kluge, Executive Director (Office email)

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)

Certifications offered through the Alliance

Diocesan Youth Ministry Leader, including pastoral juvenil hispana
Parish Youth Ministry Leader, including pastoral juvenil hispana
High School Campus Ministry Leader

Organization website

Contact: Christina Lamas, Executive Director (Office email)

The Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers

Learn more about "the Alliance" and the work they do to promote competence & national certification for lay ecclesial ministers.

National Organizations with Approved Certification Standards

Catholic Campus Ministry Association

Certification offered

Professional Catholic Campus Minister (3 tiers: essential, integral, advanced)

Organization website

Contact: Michael St. Pierre, Executive Director (Office email)

National Association of Catholic Chaplains

Certifications offered

Board Certified Catholic Chaplain
Certified Associate Catholic Chaplain
Pallitative Care and Hospital Advanced Certification
Board Certified Catholic Veterans Chaplain

Certifications in development

Pastoral Ministry to Sick and those in need of Care at Home
Pastoral Care in Prison Ministries (for volunteers and professionals)

Organization website | Partners in Pastoral Care page

Contact: Dr. David Lichter, Executive Director (Office email)

Becoming a Certified Catholic College Campus Minister

The Catholic Campus Ministry Association is committed to supporting, connecting, and forming campus ministers. Learn more about the developmental approach to ministry preparation they use for those seeking certification.

Arch/Diocesan Offices with Approved Certification Standards

CALIFORNIA

Diocese of San Bernardino: Ministry Formation Institute

Certifications offered

Adult Faith Formation Coordinator
Catechetical Leader
Charity & Justice Coordinator
Life & Dignity Coordinator
Liturgical Ministry Coordinator
Young Catholics Ministry Coordinator
Pastoral Associates

Diocesan website

Contact: Maruja Sedano, Director

ILLINOIS

Archdiocese of Chicago: Institute for Pastoral Leadership

Certifications offered

Coordinator of Religious Education
Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Pastoral Associate
Director of Religious Education
Director of Adult Faith Formation
Director of Youth Ministry

Institute website

Contacts: Dr. Linda Couri, Director, Institute of Pastoral Leadership & Bob Alexander, Senior Associate Director

MICHIGAN

Archdiocese of Detroit: Office of Ministerial Certification

Certifications offered

Christian Service Coordinator
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Director of Religious Education
Parish Catechetical Leader
RCIA Coordinator
Liturgical Musician

Office website

Contact: Sean Calvin, Associate Director of Ministerial Certification

Diocese of Lansing

Office of Catechesis

Certification offered

Parish Catechetical Leader

Office website

Contact: Tim Carpenter, Director

Office of Middle and High School Ministry

Certification offered

Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Diocesan website

Contact: Brian Flynn, Director

Office for Lay Ecclesial Ministry

Certification offered

Catechetical Leader
Pastoral Associate
Pastoral Coordinator
Pastoral Minister
Youth Minister

Diocesan website

Contact: Deborah Amato, Director

TEXAS

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston: Office of Evangelization and Catechesis / la oficina de evangelización y catequesis

Certification offered / certificación para

Parish Catechetical Leader / Líder Catequético Parroquial

Programs offered in English and Spanish / Entrenamientos ofrecidos en inglés o español

Office website / el sitio web de la oficina

Contacts / para contactar: Julie Blevins, Director / Directora

Allied National Organizations Preparing for Approval of Certification Standards

National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) & Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC)

Certifications in development

Certified Catholic Correctional Chaplain

Additional formation resourcing commended by the subcommittee

Training program services for volunteer Catholic prison ministers available to dioceses, state and regional Catholic Conferences, and prison ministries support organizations

NACC website | NACC: Partnership with CPMC page | Contact: Dr. David Lichter, Executive Director (Office email)

CPMC website | CPMC: Training & Certification page | Contact: Mr. Joseph Cotton, Coordinator