Note: Standards and competencies granted approval by the Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service retain their approval through the end of the calendar year noted on the documentation provided to the diocese or program whose standards were approved.
Allied Organizations: Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition & National Association of Catholic Chaplains
National Organizations: Catholic Campus Ministry Association | Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions | National Association for Lay Ministry | National Association of Catholic Chaplains | National Association of Pastoral Musicians | National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
Arch/Diocesan Programs: Diocese of San Bernardino | Archdiocese of Chicago | Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
This is the current listing of national ministry organizations and arch/diocesan programs of ministry formation using ministry formation standards and/or procedures for certification approved by the USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service.* Learn more about how programs and organizations gain approval for ministry formation standards and certification.
View USCCB-Approved Prison Ministries Formation Competencies
Formation resourcing commended by the subcommittee, offered through CPMC:
Certifcation resourcing to be offered through NACC:
CPMC website | CPMC Formation page | For details: Email @email
NACC website | Contact: Erica Cohen Moore, Executive Director (Office email)
CPMC Virtual Event with Cardinal Tobin: Reclaiming Wholeness - Addiction | Recovery | Community - November 1, 2022, co-sponsored by the USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service
Media Release: USCCB Subcommittee Approves Certification Competencies for Catholic Correctional Chaplains | Subcomité de la USCCB Aprueba Competencias de Certificación para Capellanes Correccionales Católicos - September 24, 2021
A Catholic jail & prison ministry volunteer reflects on what drew her to this ministry and her experience working with prison residents. She also highlights the value of the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition's formation resourcing.
Certification offered: Professional Catholic Campus Minister (3 tiers: essential, integral, advanced)
View the CCMA Handbook with USCCB-Approved Standards
Contact: Michael St. Pierre, Executive Director (Office email)
Media Release: USCCB Approves Revised Certification Standards and Competencies for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association - October 2, 2019
Reports: USCCB National Study on Catholic Campus Ministry (2019) and more detailed qualitative study (2020)
The Catholic Campus Ministry Association is committed to supporting, connecting, and forming campus ministers. Learn more about the developmental approach to ministry preparation they use for those seeking certification.
Certifications offered using USCCB-approved standards: Diocesan Director of Worship | Parish Director of Liturgy
The FDLC website includes many formation resources including these recent items:
Contact: Rita Thiron, Executive Director (Office email)
NALM promotes the use of the National Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministry developed by the organizations which comprised the former Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers. NALM's Standards and Formation Committee fosters a vision of competent lay ecclesial ministry deeply rooted in baptism and embracing the highest standards of generosity and service. It seeks to:
NALM is developing personal and professional ongoing formation opportunities that incorporate the standards.
View the USCCB-Approved Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Contact: Bernadette Rudolph, Formation & Standards Committee Chair
Certifications offered
Additional formation resourcing approved by the subcommittee
View USCCB-Approved Competencies and Procedures
Organization website | Certification Competencies & Procedures Page | Partners in Pastoral Care page
Contact: Erica Cohen Moore, Executive Director (Office email)
Media Release: USCCB Subcommittee Approves Updated Certification Competencies for Catholic Chaplains | Subcomité de la USCCB Aprueba Competencias de Certificación Actualizadas Para Capellanes Católicos - September 24, 2021
NPM supports standards through the professional development certificates it offers for music ministers serving as cantors and for those seeking to enhance their proficiency playing piano and organ for liturgy and worship. These programs enable their members to strengthen and develop skills in their particular area of expertise based on a standardized scope and sequence. NPM also supports a wide variety of ministry formation programming geared towards Catholic music ministers.
Contact: Jennifer Kluge, Executive Director (Office email)
NFCYM provides an array of online resources, events and other opportunities which help those who minister to and with today’s young people. They connect their members to ministry networks to support the development of youth and young adult ministry through ongoing conversations centering around current issues and best practices. They support ministry leaders and volunteers - to strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ. Additional resources for formation in specific areas of ministry with youth are in development.
Contact: Christina Lamas, Executive Director (Office email)
Certifications offered
View the USCCB-Approved Standards for the Diocese of San Bernardino
Contact: Dr. Amanda Alexander, Director
Certifications offered
Also approved
Contacts: Dr. Linda Couri, Director of the Institute for Pastoral Leadership & Mr. Dave Retsek, Associate Director
Certification offered / certificación para
Programs offered in English and Spanish / Entrenamientos ofrecidos en inglés o español
Office website / el sitio web de la oficina
Contacts / para contactar: Amy Auzenne, MSW, MACE, Director / Directora
* Use of approved certification standards by organizations does not imply USCCB subcommittee approval of any particular organization or ministry formation program, but only the standards used in such programs.
A note about the Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers: As of January 1, 2022, the Alliance (ACLEM) has concluded its joint service in the administration of national certification standards. Per the information provided to our office and posted on their website, those seeking national certification in a particular ministry role previously handled by the Alliance, or seeking to keep certifications current, should reach out to the national ministry organization that previously supported that certified role directly for more information. The standards produced by the Alliance and approved by the USCCB subcommittee remain approved and are held in-common by the several organizations of the Alliance.
A note about the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL): As of January 1, 2022, the former member organization of the Alliance, In Word & Witness (formerly the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership) has been reconstituted as the National Community of Catechetical Leaders under new board leadership. Those with questions regarding certifications previously offered through this organization should contact them through their website.