Becoming an EMDR International Association Certified Therapist

Clinicians are eligible to become EMDR International Association Certified Therapists if they 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 fifty clinical sessions in which EMDR was utilized, and twenty 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 Application

Please read the Certification Criteria below and the Certification FAQ before filling out the Certification Application. Please only submit an application once and do not submit incomplete applications. All application materials, including Letters of Recommendation, must be submitted in English.

Click here for the Certification Application Form

SEND SUBMISSIONS VIA SCAN, FAX OR MAIL TO:

EMDR International Association
5806 Mesa Drive, Suite 360
Austin, TX  78731-3785
Fax: 512-451-5256
info@emdria.org

Certification Period

If your Certification Application is approved, your EMDR International Association 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 Fees

If you are a Full Member of EMDR International Association | $150.00 US Dollars

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

Note: Non-Members do not appear in EMDRIA’s Find a Therapist directory.

Certification Criteria

The applicant for the credential of EMDR International Association Certified Therapist 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 experience in your field of license?
    Have you conducted at least 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 clients?Both statements can be included on 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 8 participants at a time. Consultants in Training can provide up to 15 hours of consultation; the remaining 5 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 (coming soon)
  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 EMDR International Association Credits – only EMDR International Association Approved Credit Programs in EMDR that are completed after the entire Training program can receive EMDR International Association Credits and be used towards this application requirement. If you are in need of EMDR International Association Credits, you can earn EMDR International Association Credits through the EMDR International Association OnDemand eLearning site. For more information and to access the EMDR International Association OnDemand catalog of choices, click here. Additionally, you may click here to view the Calendar of Events.
  8. EMDR International Association Policies. Applicants must read and verify on the application form that they agree to adhere to EMDR International Association Policies.