Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service

We resource bishops, regional and state conferences of bishops, diocesan programs, and professional ministry associations and organizations across the country. We support their efforts to train those who minister in the name of the Church.

• We review and approve certification standards, competencies, and procedures, primarily for specialized ministry leadership roles in the Church for lay ecclesial ministers, but also for some priests and deacons.
• We promote these standards and other ministry formation resources, so that bishops, diocesan programs, and organizations we work with are aware of them, use them, and also promote them.
• We consult on best practice resources and the promotion of lay ecclesial ministry formation and certification, especially with diocesan and academic programs which provide comprehensive ministry formation.

We are a subcommittee of the Committee on Catholic Education. Learn more about the mandate and work of our subcommittee.

Certifications Offered by Approved Diocesan Programs & Ministry Organizations

For diocesan, parish-based, and Catholic school roles

Parish Life Director • Parish Business Manager • Adult Faith Formation • Catechetical Leaders • Charity & Justice Coordinator • Parish Director of Evangelization • Director of Music Ministries • Director of Worship (Diocesan & Parish)• Youth Ministry Leaders / Pastoral juvenil hispana (Diocesan & Parish) • High School Campus Minister • Pastoral Associate (various ministry leaders) ... and more!

For colleges/universities, hospitals / health care, prisons & detention centers and other groups

College Campus Minister • Board-Certified Catholic Chaplaincy • Pastoral Care for Persons who are Sick, Elderly or in need of Home Care (in development)• Pastoral Care in Prison, Jail, Detention Ministries & related groups(in development)• Board-Certified Veterans Chaplains

View our Approved Programs for Ministry Certification

Learn more about the approvals we offer for certification standards.

Are you seeking ministry certification? Find out more here.

"We encourage ... creative ways of providing opportunities for the preparation and formation of lay ecclesial ministers, especially in mission and rural areas, and for meeting the needs of various cultural groups .... We encourage all engaged in the ministry of formation to provide for that assessment and evaluation."

"A shared formation program vision ... and the building of relationships among formators ... [help] realize the vision, principles, and components of the total formation process and how they are to be integrated."

- Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord:
A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry
pp. 33, 50