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National Certifying Bodies

National Certifying Bodies

Persons may be certified and called to service within congregations, councils, and church-related entities, serving in staff positions. These individuals endeavor to reflect their faith through their work and to strengthen the church through their dedication. They should be encouraged by their session and presbytery to meet, or be prepared to meet, the certification requirements in a handbook provided by a national certifying body approved by the General Assembly. Names of those who have earned certification through a national certifying body shall be transmitted to the appropriate body of the General Assembly, which will forward them to the stated clerk of the presbyteries in which those persons labor.   G-2.1101

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Order calls for the General Assembly to approve national certifying bodies in order for those individuals achieving certification to be recognized in the church. 

Approved National Certifying Bodies are approved for the period of time that begins at the close of the General Assembly where the approving action was taken and continues until the close of the next General Assembly.  These organizations must apply every two years (for consideration at the biennial General Assemblies) to maintain their status as an Approved National Certifying Body. 

Application information and additional details about organizations that are currently certified, including membership rosters, can be found on the Equip platform.  

For more information, contact Tricia Dykers-Koenig.

The 225th General Assembly (2022) approved the applications of the following groups:  

Administrative Personnel Association  

http://pcusa-apa.org/
Educator Certification Committee http://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/christianeducators/
Presbyterian Association of Musicians

https://www.presbymusic.org/