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Prospective students often ask about the benefits of the training and obtaining certification and licensing from the National Christian Counselor's Association (N.C.C.A.). Of course, the main benefit is knowledge. The training you receive provides a deep insight into understanding human behavior and relating to others. This knowledge is valuable in every area of life, including your ability to help those who are hurting.

In addition, N.C.C.A. Certification and Licensing opens many doors of opportunity. Many who enter the program already are involved with their church leadership in the development and enhancement of a Christian counseling ministry within their own church. If not, we encourage you to do so. Others may wish to operate an independent ministry in affiliation with a number of area churches who are willing to commission the counselor as a minister and be a sponsoring church. Still others may elect to apply for ministerial (commissioning, licensing or ordainment) credentials through the National Conservative Christian Church and qualify to open an independent counseling ministry in their community under the covering & authority of this national church organization.

Having N.C.C.A. credentials ensures that you are recognized within your community as a qualified Christian/Pastoral counselor. The community can be assured that your credentials are authentic and current because you will be under the discipline of professional review boards that are organized on the national and state levels by the N.C.C.A.

Other benefits available to N.C.C.A. members include professional liability insurance and networking with other counselors. In addition, the N.C.C.A. offers assistance to its graduates with regard to degree transfer work and fulfillment of academic goals.

Each individual must decide if he or she wants to be an agent of the state or an agent of the Church. If you have a divine call on your life to counsel and minister to the hurting, then a state license may, put many prohibitions on such a ministry.

The N.C.C.A. Licensing Program is not a state license. In fact, it is distinctly different. Most states have regulatory laws governing the practice of psychology. Many of them also legislate the practice of general counseling. These laws vary from state to state. For example, some states have a counselor category called "Licensed Professional Counselor". These states prohibit N.C.C.A. graduates from using the initials "L.P.C." Their title must be spelled out, i.e., "N.C.C.A. Licensed Pastoral Counselor" or "N.C.C.A. Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor." This ensures that the N.C.C.A. counselor is operating within legal and ethical standards, and maintaining the public's trust and confidence.

State regulatory laws help to protect the public and ensure professionalism with the counseling profession. The N.C.C.A. strives to attain a similar goal with 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 its purpose and ministering to humanity's 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 never be permitted to) interfere with the church ministry of counseling.

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 individual's right to be free from religious interference. The state licensed professional counselor is usually forbidden to pray, read or refer to the Holy Scriptures, counsel against things such as homosexuality, abortion, etc. The only time a state licensed counselor can involve religious (Christian) principles, morals, activities, etc., is if the counselee initiates or requests counsel in this area. Even then, the state licensed professional counselor could integrate secular methods such as psychotherapy in their counseling approach.

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 do not do the things that state licensed counselors do in counseling and they do not do the things we Pastoral counselors do.

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.

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