The certification process consists of three steps:  Apply, Prepare, Submit.  All three steps are done online using the tools provided on this website.

1. Apply: Submit your application materials and fee to the ministry organization that represents your ministry role (see the box "Application Submissions" on this page for the appropriate mailing address)..
   1. Download and complete the Application Form ( 175KB) and submit to the ministry organization that represents your ministry role.
   2. Download and sign the Code of Ethics for your ministry organization (see the box "Codes of Ethics" on this page) and submit with your application form.
   3. Download the Colleague Recommendation Form ( 126 KB)—instructions for its use are found on the Application Form and in the Process and Procedures Document.
   4. Download the Pastor Recommendation Form ( 128 KB)—instructions for its use are found on the Application Form and in the Process and Procedures Document.
2. Prepare: After you receive notice that your application has been approved and you have been accepted as a candidate for certification, build your online ministry portfolio which documents how you meet the national certification standards. (In your acceptance letter, you will receive information for logging onto a special, secure webpage which will act as a "library/repository" for the items in your portfolio. You will be able to use this library as often as necessary to compile your portfolio which may contain written documents (for example, MS Word or PDF files), presentations (e.g., PowerPoint files), and even audio and video files.
3. Submit: When your portfolio is complete, submit your materials for review. If approved by your national ministry organization and the Alliance, you will receive notification that you are certified!

Initial Applications and Completed Portfolios are ordinarily accepted before the March 1 and October 1 deadlines each year. In our inaugural year, the first deadline has been extended to May 1, 2012.