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. Learn more about how programs and organizations gain approval.
For additional information on our approved diocesan programs and organizations who certify ecclesial ministers, view or download the PDF of our directory.
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 Commission (FDLC)
Certifications offered through the Alliance
- Diocesan Director of Worship
- Parish Director of Liturgy
Contact: Rita Thiron, Executive Director (Office email)
National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM)
Certifications offered through the Alliance
- Pastoral Associate
- Parish Business Manager
- Parish Life Coordinator
Contact: Jamie Moloney, Board President (Office email)
National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM)
Certification offered through the Alliance
- Director of Music Ministries
Contact: Stephen Petrunak, President (Office email)
National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)
Certifications offered through the Alliance
- Parish Catechetical Leader
- Parish Director of Evangelization
Contact: Margaret Matijasevic, 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
Contact: Christina Lamas, Executive Director (Office email)
National Organizations with Approved Certification Standards
Catholic Campus Ministry Association
Certification offered
- Professional Catholic Campus Minister (3 tiers: essential, integral, advanced)
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)
Contact: Dr. David Lichter, Executive Director (Office email)
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
Contact: Maruja Sedano, Director
ILLINOIS
Archdiocese of Chicago: Institute for Lay Formation
Certifications offered
- Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation
- Coordinator of Religious Education
- Parish & Catholic High School Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- Parish & Catholic School Coordinator of Religious Education
Contacts: Dr. Linda Couri, Director, Institute of Pastoral Leadership & Bob Alexander, Senior Associate Director, Lay Formation
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
Contact: Sean Calvin, Associate Director of Ministerial Certification
Diocese of Lansing
Office of Catechesis
Certification offered
- Parish Catechetical Leader
Contact: Tim Carpenter, Director
Office of Middle and High School Ministry
Certification offered
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Contact: Brian Flynn, Director
Office for Lay Ecclesial Ministry
Certification offered
- Catechetical Leader
- Pastoral Associate
- Pastoral Coordinator
- Pastoral Minister
- Youth Minister
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
Arch/Diocesan Offices Preparing for Approval of Certification Standards
VIRGINIA
Diocese of Richmond: Office of Christian Formation
For additional information on our approved diocesan programs and organizations who certify ecclesial ministers, view or download the PDF of our directory.
