Professional Certification Process

Specialized Ministries

Certification of Qualified People in Specialized Ministries in The United Methodist Church demonstrates a level of competency and standards set by the denomination. These standards include faith formation, academic training, and experience, membership in The United Methodist Church, and continuing study in the area of specialization.

The church’s need for individuals who can serve to the best of their ability makes certification by The United Methodist Church increasingly important.

The NTC BOM Certification Registrar is Dr. Edgar Bazan.

Inquiring

1. Contact your pastor and supervisor to express your desire.
2. Review requirements for specialized ministry certification.
3. Select a track to certification.

Beginning Certification

1. Complete enrollment form.
2. Send the enrollment form to the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry.
3. Send a hardcopy of enrollment form to the Conference BOM Committee on Certification Registrar.
4. Send a hardcopy of signed supervised ministry experience agreement with supervisor.
5. Register for certification classes.

Pathway for Certification

1. Complete all required certification classes for selected certification track.
2. Submit plan for continuing education to the Conference BOM Committee on Certification Registrar.
3. Submit notice of membership in group or association related to area of specialization to the Conference BOM Committee on Certification Registrar.
4. Complete application form for certification.
5. Send the application form to the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry.
6. Send a hardcopy of application form to the Conference BOM Committee on Certification Registrar.
7. Submit background check form to the Conference BOM Committee on Certification Registrar.
8. Undergo Psychological Testing, at candidate’s own expense, through approved Conference agency.
9. Submit verification of continued supervised ministry experience (may be included in letters of reference) including outline of job description / responsibility.

Certification in Specialized Ministry

1. Upon approval by the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry, the Conference BOM Committee on Certification will schedule an interview.
2. Upon completion of a successful interview, the Committee on Certification will recommend candidate for approval by the BOM.
3. Upon approval for certification in specialized ministry by the BOM, candidate will be granted certification.

Certification Renewal

1. Certification in specialized ministry is biennial and must be renewed every even year to continue to hold a status of certification within the Conference.
2. Completed Certification Renewal forms are to be submitted to the Conference BOM Committee on Certification Registrar for certification to continue.