FAQ

General Certification Questions

ACBC Certification Process

• What does the certification process and membership fees cost?

  Fundamentals Training Course: varies, depending on where you complete it
  Books & Resources: $85 (minimum)
  Observation DVDs: $168
  Grader Fee: $100
  Supervision Fee: $800 (maximum)
  Membership Dues: $115 (annual)

  Total: Approximately $1400

  Costs and fees will be due over the course of time. It will depend on how you pace yourself. The first three listed above are part of Phase 1. The grading fee is due at the end of Phase 2, and the supervision fee is due during Phase 3.  The membership fees will occur once you have completed all three phases.

• Does the certification program have a time limit?

  Yes. You must complete Phases 1 and 2 within four years of taking your Fundamentals Training Course. For example, if an individual finishes the Fundamentals Training Course in 2024, they will need to submit their Phase 2 exams by December 31, 2028.

  Separately, you have one year to complete the supervised counseling requirements for Phase 3.

• How long will the certification program take?

  Time varies depending on how much time you have and how much training you’ve had. Many people complete the certification process within a year after completing the Fundamentals Training Course, but this may also depend upon which training center you choose to receive that training.

• Can my spouse and I counsel together for supervision?

  No. ACBC does see great wisdom in team counseling, but for the purpose of certification, your Fellow supervisor must determine that you can bear the entire load of preparing for and conducting the counseling session. For the counseling case you submit for supervision, you should be the only counselor participating in the session. You may have an individual sit in on the sessions with you to gather data, but you must be leading and directing the session.

• I have prior education/experience in biblical counseling. Is there a fast track to certification for me?

  We are thrilled to have people pursue certification who have prior education and experience in counseling, as well as those with no prior education and experience. However, our certification standards require that each applicant must complete all three phases of the ACBC Certification process.

  Additionally, the Fundamentals Training Course required for ACBC certification must be completed through an ACBC Certified Training Center or other ACBC Certified Training source.

• Can I become certified with ACBC if I am on the Public Sex Offender Registry or am currently incarcerated?

  ACBC recognizes that the Lord can use men and women who have repented from past sin and who are walking in faithfulness in a local church for great kingdom work in discipleship and counseling, and we encourage these individuals to receive training and education in the area of biblical counseling. However, ACBC is not able to officially certify anyone who is currently on the Public Sex Offender Registry or currently incarcerated.

• Can I become certified if my church has a female pastor?

  The local church is indispensable in the ministry of counseling. We believe our counselors must pursue the closest possible connection to their church for accountability and ecclesiastical authority. In light of the importance of ecclesiastical oversight, we require our counselors to serve under biblically qualified leadership in their church. At ACBC, we hold a complementarian view, recognizing that while women may serve the church in a myriad of ways, the Bible requires that an elder/pastor be a man meeting specific qualifications (1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Because of these beliefs, both of which are reflected in our guiding documents, we cannot certify an individual who has joined fellowship with a church that has a female given the role or title of elder/pastor, regardless of their oversight responsibilities.

• Can I become certified if I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?

  As state governments continue to encroach upon the religious liberties of individuals and groups, ACBC recognizes that this is particularly noticeable within the discipline and practice of counseling. As Christians, we affirm that it is inconsistent to withhold biblical morality and mandates in counseling and soul care, in deference to state statutes and codes of ethics which regulate Christian principles and truths. With these concerns in mind, ACBC welcomes those currently holding state licensure for professional counseling to engage in our Phase 1 training, to further discern the philosophical and theological underpinnings that distinguish biblical counseling from other approaches. Since counseling is fundamentally theological in nature, ACBC reserves the right not to approve current Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, or those holding equitable licenses for counseling services, from continuing the certification process due to the growing ethical and moral restrictions placed upon state licensed practitioners. However, those who have completed Phase 1 and wish to continue in progression with ACBC certification may make an appeal for consideration with the ACBC Membership Services department.

• Can I share content that I purchased on the ACBC Store with others?

  You may share purchased ACBC Store content with family members, counselees, and groups in your church or para-church ministry for educational purposes. If you share the material with others, they are not permitted to share the material again (e.g. if you share the material with your brother, he is not permitted to share the material with his counselees without first purchasing it himself).

  Watching the Fundamentals Training Course via a purchased audio or video recording will not count toward certification. If you show the material in a church or para-church ministry setting, you are required to make a verbal or written statement to those watching the training that it will not lead to certification.

Phase 1

• Why am I getting an error message that says “Invalid Integer” when I try to complete the Contact Details section in the certification dashboard?

  That particular error message “Invalid Integer,” means that you have entered text in a box that requires a number only. You might look back through the pages and be sure that you do not have anything like that. The most common error is in the Education page for the Graduation Year, but it could be others as well.

• Can I use audio books for the required reading portion of Phase 1?

  Yes, but… The reading is meant to help give you a good biblical counseling and theological foundation, which you will also use to help you work through the exams in Phase 2. Having a physical or e-book copy that you can highlight and look up page numbers in will be helpful since you must footnote any citations you may use in your answers on the exams.

  Keep in mind that you will need to provide page numbers in your certification dashboard when you log your reading requirement.

Phase 2

• Which exams should I complete first?

  We recommend completing the Theology Exam first, and then the Counseling Exam. It is wise to complete the theology exam first. Good theology leads to good counseling.

• What will the graders be looking for on the exam?

  On the Theology Exam, the grader will be noting the applicant’s understanding of theological truth in line with ACBC’s Standards and his ability to communicate it clearly. On the Counseling Exam, the grader will be observing how the applicant applies the Scriptures to a variety of counseling issues in line with ACBC’s Standards.

• The instructions say that each answer must be between 1-1.5 pages, how important is that?

  The graders will send back any exams for rewrites that are too short or too long based on the requirements. The goal is to be sure you are able to explain your answers well enough (at least 1 page) and yet to be able to answer them succinctly (less than 1.5). The graders have 44 – 66 pages to grade based on this range. With this in mind, it is best to stick to the instructions.

• What if I disagree with a particular doctrine? (i.e., views of trichotomy and dichotomy, views on continuing revelation, views on egalitarianism and complementarianism, etc.)

  The purpose of the exams is to be sure that the candidate truly believes and practices theology and counseling according to the Standards of Doctrine and Conduct of ACBC. If the essay exam questions reveal a disagreement with ACBC’s standards, opportunity for growth, learning, and coming in line with these standards will be allowed though a chance for rewrite upon grading. However, if the candidate’s beliefs differ from ACBC standards and he or she does not desire to change the positions to be in line with ACBC standards, then ACBC cannot certify that individual. Though we would encourage continued growth and ministry, ACBC is not able to certify anyone outside of the guiding documents.

• What are the different grades for the exams?

  Your exams are graded on a pass or rewrite basis. If the applicant will need to submit a rewrite our graders will give input to help deepen the candidate’s understanding of the topic. They will be available for further discussion, when necessary. The candidate will be given as many tries as needed, as long as there is evidence that he or she is working hard to continue learning and understanding.

• Can I access Phase 2 ahead of time to prepare?

  No, you will not be able to access Phase 2 ahead of time. Once you have reached that part of the process you will be given access to all the instructions you need, and forms for you and those who will be filling out the evaluations for you.

• I received my rewrites back, but I can’t see my grader’s comments, what should I do?

  It could be a couple of things. If you are looking at the files on a mobile device (phone, tablet, etc.), you will not be able to see the comments. You will need to open the files on a laptop or desktop computer in order to see the comments on the right-hand side of the exams. If you are already on a computer, it may be that you need to change your settings to see the Comments. If after trying these things you still do not see the comments, please feel free to email your grader or our office at [email protected].

• I uploaded my rewrites; how do I know if they were received?

  When you upload your exams into the dashboard, they are automatically uploaded in our system. You can tell if they have been uploaded from your dashboard. If you are wondering if your grader has started regrading them, then you will need to reach out to him directly. Your grader’s information is listed on your Phase 2 dashboard.

• What evaluations will be required in Phase 2?

  You will be required to have 3 evaluations submitted on your behalf:

  Colleague Evaluation – This is an evaluation of you from someone close to you. It can be a friend, co-worker, ministry partner, etc.

  Pastor/Elder Evaluation – This is an evaluation of you from a male Pastor/Elder of the church where you are a member.

  Church Membership & Authority Letter – This is a letter from a representative of your church (secretary, Pastor, etc.), on church letterhead and submitted digitally, showing that you are both a member in good standing and under the authority of the church.

• How do I access the Evaluations in Phase 2?

  You will not be able to have access to the evaluations and grader payment until you have completed and uploaded your exams. Be sure to read the Phase Overview/Instruction and watch the Phase Tutorial in each phase to make sure you know how to complete each item correctly and in the proper order.

• How do I check the status of an evaluation?

  To check on the status of your evaluations, you may log in to your dashboard and check the status in the same place where you sent out the requests. If it does not show completed, that means it has not come back clear yet and you will want to follow up with the person you sent it to (may have them check junk/spam mail).  You can also resend the request from there as well, either to the same person/email address or to another person/email address.

• Can I access Phase 2 ahead of time to prepare?

  No, you will not be able to access Phase 2 ahead of time. Once you have reached that part of the process you will be given access to all the instructions you need, and forms for you and those who will be filling out the evaluations for you.

Phase 3

• How will I connect with a supervisor?

  Step-by-step instructions are provided in Phase 3. Working from a list of Fellows, you will begin to email them one at a time asking them to supervise you. You will be able to reach out to them through the contact information provided. Once you have connected and communicated with your supervisor through the proper steps, you may begin working on those hours.

• How will I connect with counselees?

  While we can’t give you any specifics because every context is different, we know that some have gone to some creative lengths to reach out for counselees. Some have posted on facebook that they are working on become a certified counselor, and that they are offering free counseling to locals. Others have emailed people, some have contacted other local churches to offer counseling, and surely there are many more that have tried other things. Fellows may also have other recommendations for getting counselees and will likely be your best source for ideas since they are working with you individually.

• Can I complete this phase even if I am not in the United States?

  Yes! You may complete this process remotely. In fact, it is usually completed remotely even for those in the United States. You will be in contact with your supervisor through email, video-conferencing, and possibly by phone.

• Can my spouse and I counsel together for supervision?

  No. ACBC does see great wisdom in team counseling, but for the purpose of certification, your supervisor must determine that you can bear the entire load of preparing for and conducting the counseling session. For the counseling case you submit for supervision, you should be the only counselor participating in the session. You may have an individual sit in on the sessions with you to gather data, but you must be leading and directing the session.

New Member/Membership Renewals

• When is membership renewal due?

  If you became a new member (or were reinstated):
  Between January 1 – August 31, membership will be covered until 12/31 of the same year. The membership fee will be pro-rated as the membership coverage is less than the full year. Renewal is due December 31 of the same year.

  Between September 1 – December 31, membership fee will be the full $115, and the coverage will be more than one year. Renewal is due December 31 of the next year.

• How do I renew my membership?

  On October 15 of the renewal year (see above question for the specified renewal year), the option to renew will appear in your account dashboard. Once the renewal option is clicked in the dashboard, instructions can be followed to renew the membership.

• What if I missed the renewal date?

  Renewal is due December 31 of the renewal year (see first question in this section for the specified renewal year). If you miss the due date, you will have until March 15 (grace period) to renew your membership, with a $25 late fee. If the grace period passes, your membership will expire.

• My membership expired, can I be reinstated?

  Yes. If your membership is expired and you want to be reinstated, you can apply for reinstatement in your account dashboard.

Certified Membership

• How do I change/update my details on the Find a Counselor Map?

  In order to make yourself visible on the map, and to choose what information you provide on the map, you can log into your member account, click on the “Directory/Map Details” button and enter the information there. Changes to this information may take up to 24 hours to change on the Find-A-Counselor map.

• What are the membership levels?

  After you complete the certification process, you will become a certified biblical counselor and can renew your membership annually.

  Level 1

  Level 2 – Level 1 members who “have a theological degree” and “hold ordination to the pastoral office by a Christian church.”

  Fellows – Level 2 members who have completed and passed the Fellow Candidate Process. For more information on becoming a Fellow, click here.

• What are the benefits of being a Certified ACBC Member?

  Training under key leaders in biblical counseling

  Accountability for faithful counseling practice

  Endorsement from the largest biblical counseling association in the world

  Recommendation on our Find a Counselor on-line map

  Networking with like-minded biblical counselors

  Exclusive invites to our Live training webinars

  Discounts on registration for ACBC events

  Free Members Resources online through your Member Account