Becoming an EMDR International Association Certified Therapist

Clinicians are eligible to become EMDR International Association Certified Therapists if they have an advanced degree from an accredited college or university, are fully licensed in their mental health professional field for independent practice and have two years of experience (minimum) in that field. Specific EMDR requirements include completion of an EMDR International Association approved training program in EMDR therapy, a minimum of 50 clinical sessions in which EMDR was utilized, and 20 hours of consultation in EMDR by an Approved Consultant. To maintain the credential, EMDR International Association Certified Therapists must complete twelve hours of continuing education in EMDR every two years.

Certification Fees

*Please note certification fees are separate from EMDRIA membership fees

If you are a Full Member of EMDRIA | $150.00 US Dollars (non-refundable)

We suggest joining as a Full Member to take advantage of this discount among other membership benefits! JOIN NOW!  Note: Associate Members cannot become EMDR Certified.

Non-EMDRIA Member | $350.00 US Dollars (non-refundable)

Please note:

  • Non-Members do not appear in EMDRIA’s Find an EMDR Therapist directory.
  • EMDRIA does not retroactively apply discounts on previously paid non-member fees if an individual joins or rejoins EMDRIA at a later date.

Certification Application

Please read the Certification Criteria below and the Certification FAQ before filling out the Certification Application. All application materials, including Letters of Recommendation, must be submitted in English.

Click here to complete the Certification Application online!

Certification Period

If your Certification Application is approved, your EMDRIA Certification status will be granted for a two year period. To keep this credential, you will need to renew every two years. 

Click here to learn more about Certification Renewal.

Certification Criteria

Those who are interested in applying for the EMDR Certification credential must have a masters or doctoral degree in counseling, social work, psychology, marriage family therapy, medicine or nursing from an accredited college or university and must meet the following criteria:

  1. EMDR International Association Approved Training: Submit evidence of having completed an EMDRIA approved EMDR Training program. A copy of your certificate of completion is required.
  2. License/Certification: Provide documentation of independent license as a mental health professional in the state or province where you practice. A photocopy of your license to practice independently is required.
  3. Attach notarized documentation supporting the following statements:
    Do you have at least two years of experience in your field of license?
    Have you conducted at least 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 clients? Both statements can be included in one single notarized document. Applicants can simply state, “I have at least 2 years experience in my field of license and I have conducted at least 50 EMDR therapy sessions with at least 25 clients” or similar wording and then have it notarized.
  4. Have you received 20 hours of consultation by an EMDR International Association Approved Consultant in EMDR? Answer yes or no on the application form. Then you will need to obtain documentation from the Approved Consultant(s) you received your consultation from, verifying the number of hours you have received from him/her and how many of those hours were individual consultation, and how many were group consultation. If you have received consultation from more than one Approved Consultant, you will need documentation from each. At least 10 of these hours must be obtained through individual, EMDR-focused consultation. The remaining 10 hours may be obtained through small group consultation. Consultation groups cannot exceed more than eight participants at a time. Consultants in Training can provide up to 15 hours of consultation; the remaining five hours must be with an Approved Consultant. *Only consultation hours received AFTER completion of an EMDRIA Approved Training program can be applied towards this requirement.
    Click Here to Find an Approved Consultant
  5. Attach letter(s) of recommendation from one or more EMDR International Association Approved Consultant(s) in EMDR, regarding your utilization of EMDR with clients.
  6. Attach two letters of recommendation regarding your professional utilization of EMDR (if possible), ethics in practice, and professional character. These can be obtained from colleagues or peers.
  7. Attach certificates of completion of 12 hours of EMDR International Association Credits (continuing education in EMDR). The EMDR Training is not awarded EMDRIA Credits – only EMDRIA Credit Approved Programs in EMDR that are completed after the entire Training program can receive EMDRIA Credits and be used towards this application requirement. If you are in need of EMDRIA Credits, the Continuing Education tab on our website lists all of the current continuing education options that have been reviewed and approved by EMDRIA. The completion certificates should list the EMDRIA program approval number, as well as the number of EMDRIA, credits the workshop was approved for.
  8. EMDR International Association Policies. Applicants must read and verify on the application form that they agree to adhere to EMDRIA Policies.