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Best counselor certifications
The best certifications for a counselor are Pastoral Counseling Certification, Certified Professional Counselor, and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Counselor certifications demonstrate your competency as a counselor to employers. However, not all counselor certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best counselor certifications. Obtaining a counselor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for counselors
| Rank | Counselor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pastoral Counseling Certification | Mt. Vision In... |
| 2 | Certified Professional Counselor | APA, DAPA |
| 3 | National Certified Counselor (NCC) | NBCC |
| 4 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 5 | Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) | IC&RC |
| 6 | Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor | NAFC |
| 7 | Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) | ACADC |
| 8 | Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) | National Boar... |
| 9 | Master Addictions Counselor | NAFC |
| 10 | Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) | NAADAC |
| 11 | OSHA Safety Certificate | Delaware Tech... |
| 12 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 13 | Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) | CRCC |
| 14 | Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 15 | Certified Planning Engineer (CPE) | AAPM |
| 16 | Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CDVC) | NAFC |
| 17 | Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) | NCHEC |
| 18 | Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) | PMI |
| 19 | Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) | NCTRC |
| 20 | Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) | LOMA |
20 best counselor certifications
1. Pastoral Counseling Certification
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
2. Certified Professional Counselor
You entered this field in order to help people. When was the last time that an organization came along to provide any real help to you? The mission of the American Board of Professional Counselors, ABPC program is to be the nation's leading advocate for counselors. ABPC will champion counselors' right to practice. We will work with you to protect your right to practice, increase parity for your profession, and provide you with the recognition that you so richly deserve.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
3. National Certified Counselor (NCC)
The NCC certification was launched by NBCC in 1983 as a result of the efforts of members of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Since that time, NBCC has become an independent entity and more than 80,000 counselors have become NCCs. The NCC is one of two NBCC certifications that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
4. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
5. Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC)
The International Examination for Alcohol & Drug Counselors is the first examination to test knowledge and skills about alcohol and drug counseling on an international level. It has been developed by IC&RC through the cooperation of its Member Boards and their strong desire to have an international exam that is based on current practice in the field.Alcohol & Drug Counselor is one of the five reciprocal certifications offered through IC&RC.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
7. Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)
The Mission of the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors, as a counselor certification organization for the California Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs, is to provide an entrance to the professional counseling arena, to train and certify Christian men and women who desire to do professional drug, alcohol and addiction counseling.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
8. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)
The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. Master Addictions Counselor
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
10. Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
A voluntary national certification intended for professionals working within addiction-related disciplines wishing to demonstrate their specialized addiction treatment skills gained through supervised work experience and specific graduate course work.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
11. OSHA Safety Certificate
This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
12. Certified Personal Trainer
The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
13. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services in the U.S. and Canada. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, the CRCC has certified more than 30,000 counselors with its widely recognized Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CCRC) designations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
14. Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW)
Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal system, both criminal and civil. Forensic social workers help children and families involved in custody issues, including but not limited to separation, divorce, neglect, and the termination of parental rights. The social workers also deal with the implications of child and spouse abuse. Forensic social workers may work in a number of settings, including juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
15. Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
Our AAPM Global Board of Standards issues the CPE Certified Planning Engineer - Board Certification to qualified applicants who have met our commission requirements of: Education, Training, Experience, Industry Knowledge, Ethics, and Continuing Education.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
16. Certified Domestic Violence Counselor (CDVC)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
17. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the Seven Areas of Responsibilities: a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies defining the role of an entry-level health educator.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
18. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
19. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
Established in 1981, the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is a non-profit, international organization dedicated to professional excellence for the protection of consumers through the certification of recreation therapists. Professional recognition is granted by NCTRC to individuals who apply and meet established standards for certification, including education, experience, and continuing professional development. The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential is offered to qualified individuals based on these stringent requirements. NCTRC supports quality human service and health care standards and maintains recognition by the Joint Commission and the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). NCTRC provides credential verification services to employers and health care agencies. These services are strongly encouraged by NCTRC to monitor personnel adherence to the standards of the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
20. Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI)
The Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) Program is a three-course education program in Bahasa Indonesia specifically designed to meet the industry education requirements of professionals in Indonesia. Recognized by the Insurance Directorate, Ministry of Finance and the Life Assurance Association of Indonesia (AAJI), who also requested LOMA create the program, the CPLHI Program provides a comprehensive business education for life and health insurance professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
What is the best certification for a counselor?
The best counselor certification is Pastoral Counseling Certification. The Pastoral Counseling Certification is awarded by the Mt. Vision Institute.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this counselor certification:
- To become a certified Pastoral Counseling Certification, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for counselors?
The most in-demand counselor certification is Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor based on all active job postings. Having this counselor certification will give you access to more counselor jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a counselor career and salary?
The Certified Professional Counselor certification will help you to secure a licensed professional counselor position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A licensed professional counselor's average salary is $98,502 whereas counselors make an average salary of $36,225.
The most common combination of counselor certifications include: Pastoral Counseling Certification, Certified Professional Counselor, and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Online courses for counselors to earn certifications
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