Christian Certification / Licensing

Each individual must decide if he or she wants to be an agent of the state or a servant of the GOD and the Church (Body of Christ). If you have a Divine call on your life to counsel and minister to the hurting, then a state licensure and ceritificaton will inhibit such ministry because "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else the will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon, " Mt. 6:24.

The N.C.C.A. Licensing Program is not a state license and is, in fact, distinctly different. Most states have regulator laws governing the practice of psychology. Many of them also legislate the practice of general counseling. The laws vary from state to state. For example, some states have a counselor category called “Licensed Professional Counselor.” Therefore, the N.C.C.A. requires its counselors to clearly identify their license, e.g.,” N.C.C.A. Licensed Pastoral Counselor” or “N.C.C.A. counselor is operating within legal and ethical standards, and maintaining the publics trust and confidence.

State regulatory laws help to protect the public and ensure professionalism within the counseling profession. The N.C.C.A. strives to attain a similar goal within the Christian community and, at the same time, operate so as to avoid infringing upon state regulations.

The state and federal governments also have jurisdictional boundaries. They cannot pass laws that prevent the Church from fulfilling it purpose and ministering to humanitys needs. The state recognizes that counseling is one of the responsibilities of the Church and its clergy. For this reason, the state does not and must not interfere with the Ministry of Counseling.  However, the state is constantly infinging upon and passing more and more laws restricting and forbidding state counselors and Christian counselors from engaging in certain activities.  An example will illustrate:

"California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed controversial legislation making his state the first to ban therapy for minors struggling with same-sex-attraction.  As of January 1, 2013, explained the Associated Press, "Mental health practitioners are prohibited from performing sexual orientation change efforts-known as reparative or conversion therapy-for anyone under 18."  In a statement Brown parroted the talking points of homosexual activists pushing the measure, arguing that such therapies "have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be regulated to the dustbin of quackery."
source www.thenewamerican.com 10-3-12

The major difference between state-licensed professional counselors and Pastoral or Christian counselors, who are licensed by the N.C.C.A. and under the authority of the Church (Body of Christ), is clear and well-defined. Counselors who have been licensed by the state are held to strict ethical standards which mandate an individuals right to be free from religious influence. The state licensed professional counselor is forbidden to pray, read or refer to the Holy Scriptures, counsel against things such as homosexuality, abortion, etc. Initiating such counsel would be considered unethical by the state. In most states in the U.S., state licensed counselors “must not promote their personal religious beliefs” according to the code of ethics in each respective state. The only time a state licensed counselor can involve religious (Christian) principles, morals, activities, instruction, etc., is if the counselee initiates or requests counsel in this area. The state-licensed counselor may not have the education, experience and knowledge of Scripture that the N.C.C.A. provides.

Opposite from that, Pastoral counselors are required to pray, share their faith, read the Holy Scriptures, etc. The fact that Pastoral and Christian counselors do these things creates a clear distinction. We are two distinct professions and govern ourselves accordingly.
As you can readily see, the state governs secular counselors and the Church is responsible to set standards and govern ministers who have devoted their lives to the ministry and to Pastoral counseling.

None of this is to say that the Christian counselor, minister or priest is not permitted to request fees and receive remuneration for the services they render, as long as they remain adherent to the state laws governing such procedures.

The N.C.C.A. requires all who are certified or licensed by its Licensing Board of Examiners to:

1. Be credentialed ministers (ordained, licensed or commissioned) whose goal is to evangelize and ease the emotional pain and suffering of humanity.
2. Provide their service under the authority of a legally organized local church, a national church organization or a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry.
3. Complete specialized training provided by the N.C.C.A.
4. Complete the minimum requirements for continuing education and annual license renewal.
5. Uphold N.C.C.A.‟s Code of Ethical Standards.
   

N.C.C.A.'S published “Code of Ethical Standards” outlines all of the procedures involved in dismissal, revocation, probation and reinstatement of an individual‟s membership, certification and/or license.

First Amendment Rights

The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States proclaims that:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of the grievances.

The FACT is that the government (state) will take as much of your freedom as you are WILLING to let them take. Doing biblical counseling is protected by our constitution and that is why all states provide an exemption for “clergy.”

Please do not try to tell me that the “Church” (Body of Christ) does not have the right to license. The church has been awarding a “License to Preach” in this Country before there was a United States of America.

Preaching is only one ministry of the Church—counseling is another. The Church can set and maintain the standards for Pastoral Counselors and for Ministers of Counseling and maintain those standards through a license IF WE WANT TO. The state has NO SAY in the matter—any more than they have any say regarding the practice of ordination.

What if the state said that it was taking over ordination? Would we just stand back and let them? I pray to God not!

You cannot “freely” represent Jesus if you are being required under the laws of state ethics to uphold a person's right to abortion and homosexuality or any other latest-popular sin and pervesion.

I have heard some say that Pastoral Counselors cannot receive money (remuneration) for counseling. Well, if we cannot receive money for counseling, then it must also be illegal for us to receive money for performing weddings, funerals, preaching, conducting revivals, teaching and every other duty that is performed by a clergyperson. What about pre-marital counseling, is it legal for a clergyperson to be paid for that? Of course it is!

Are you representing Jesus in your counseling? Are you ordained or commissioned as a minister? If so, the state has no jurisdiction over you—that belongs to the “Church” and our Constitution mandates it. Tens of thousands of Americans have given their lives for you to have the right and you must never give it away, not now, not ever!

Richard G. Arno, Ph.D.
N.C.C.A.'S Founder and Chaplain

Explanation of Ministerial Credentials and Clergy

Are you “called” by God to counsel and want to be licensed?  If you are not sure, please go to our home page under "How Do I Know If I AM CALLED OF GOD?"

Many individuals who inquire about N.C.C.A.'S licensing program are ordained ministers. These individuals can complete the requirements and be licensed as a Licensed Pastoral Counselor or as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor. They can counsel anywhere in America and accept remuneration for this service (in accordance with state and local guidelines) without being affiliated with any state agency, i.e., without being state licensed or certififed. This is because the lows governing counseling in all states exempt “Clergy” from submitting to its (the state's) authority. The First Amendment of our Constitution requires such exemption: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,…”

What about the others—those individuals who are not ordained ministers or pastors? The call to counsel is just as real for them. They do not want to be state licensed and most certainly do not want to relinquish their right to represent Jesus Christ in their counseling ministry. They just want to answer and fulfill God's call on their lives.

Indeed, some are called to the high office of the pastorate. These persons should be ordained (set aside) by a church or a denomination and approved to perform all the duties of the pastorate, including the dispensation of the sacraments (giving Holy Communion and Baptizing).

However, there are many other types of Ministers or Clergy. For example, Ministers of Music, Chaplains, Ministers of Administration, Missionaries, Youth Ministers, etc. All of these offices are understood by the state and federal government to be “Clergy.”

The Ministry of Counseling is a valid ministry which is instituted by God. The call into this ministry is an awesome call which cannot be easily ignored.

Perhaps you are not called to pastor a church or to give Holy Communion or to Baptize. However, if you are called by God into the Ministry of Counseling, we can help you. You do not have to be Ordained; you can qualify to be commissioned as a Commissioned Minister of Counseling. This will meet state requirements so you can legally counsel and accept remuneration because you will be recognized by your state as Clergy. And, it will open the doors for you to accept God‟s call on your life.

Your local church/pastor can commission you as a Commissioned Minister of Counseling or you can complete the course titled “Ministerial Credentials” and be commissioned by the National Conservative Christian Church.  Dr. Nation can assist you with more information on becoming commissioned.

Please do not reject God's call and His anointing on your life because you are fearful of the words “Clergy” or “Ordained,” or “Commissioned” or “Minister.” These precious words mean “set aside” for the specific ministry for which God has called you. Our call is to help you fulfill your call.

Your Special Benefit:

Your life will never be the same as you answer the call to your new destiny.  Do not  delay!  God is awaiting your answer to your new, fulfilling and rewarding ministry.

I have been in the ministry since 1957 and I am a conservative, fundamental Baptist preacher. If N.C.C.A.’s training was not Biblically and fundamentally solid, I would have nothing to do with it. However, I have been privileged to introduce the N.C.C.A. throughout South Korea and the Philippines. - Rev. W. Louie Carver, Th.D., Wichita Falls, Texas