You've completed your EMDR training, you're using it in sessions, and you're seeing real movement with trauma work. The question now is whether EMDR certification is worth pursuing.
Certification isn't required to practice EMDR, but it signals advanced competence and opens doors with employers, insurance panels, and trauma-informed clients who research their providers.
Fortunately, the process for EMDR certification is structured and predictable when you understand the requirements. We’ll explain everything you need to know in this article.
TL;DR
- EMDR certification is available through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Certification is distinct from basic training; it validates advanced clinical application through documented experience, consultation hours, and continuing education.
- To apply for certification, you need 50 EMDR sessions with 25 clients, 20 consultation hours (10 individual), 12 EMDRIA Credits, and at least 2 years post-licensure experience.
- Only EMDRIA EMDRIA-approved consultants and EMDRIA credits count—general supervision and CEUs do not substitute.
- Application fees are $150 for EMDRIA members or $350 for non-members, with a typical 3–5 week review period.
- Certification is valid for two years and requires ongoing EMDRIA Credits for renewal.
EMDR Certification at a Glance
EMDR certification is a credential issued by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) that confirms advanced competence beyond basic training.
The certification process verifies your clinical experience, structured consultation with an EMDRIA-approved consultant, and commitment to continuing EMDR-specific education. Once certified, you can call yourself an EMDRIA Certified TherapistTM.
While EMDR certification is not required to use EMDR in your practice (according to your training and license), it can give you confidence and clarity when working with trauma and complex presentations.
Structured feedback from an EMDRIA-approved consultant improves your fidelity to the model and sharpens your clinical decision-making. Certification is also often highly valued or required by employers, insurance panels, and clients who research providers before booking.
Basic Training vs Certification vs Consultant Status
Here are quick explanations of some of the terms you’ll come across when researching EMDR certification.
- EMDR basic training - Refers to the core training that equips therapists with the skills to practice EMDR within their license scope. This is usually undertaken through an EMDRIA-accredited training provider and includes a prescribed number of hours of instruction, practical work, and consultation.
- EMDR trained - A therapist who has completed a full, basic EMDR training program may call themselves “EMDR trained”.
- EMDR certification - A voluntary credential that validates your experience and depth of practice in EMDR. In the US, EMDR certification is only available through EMDRIA. Enables the therapist to call themselves an EMDRIA Certified TherapistTM.
- EMDRIA-approved consultant - A separate credential focused on mentoring and consultation for other clinicians training in EMDR. You don't need consultant status to become certified—it's a distinct pathway with its own requirements. As the name suggests, EMDRIA is the organization that certifies approved consultants.
Who Is Eligible for EMDR Certification?
To apply for EMDR certification, you must hold an independent license in a mental health profession in your jurisdiction. This includes licenses like LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or psychologist credentials that allow independent practice.
Pre-licensed clinicians can complete basic training, but you cannot apply for EMDRIA certification until you're fully licensed and practicing independently. Keep this timeline in mind if you're approaching licensure, as you can only start logging EMDR sessions after your independent license is active.
Training Prerequisite
You must complete an EMDRIA-approved EMDR basic training program before applying for certification. Basic training is available through EMDRIA and from external providers who have undergone the approval process.
Keep your final completion certificate in a secure location. You'll need to submit it with your application, and replacing lost certificates can significantly delay your timeline.
EMDRIA Certification Requirements: The Checklist
There are five core EMDR certification requirements.
1. Core Criteria
Your application must include proof of EMDRIA-approved basic training, as documented on your final certificate. You need a current independent clinical license or certification as required by EMDRIA. You also must agree to follow EMDRIA policies and the Professional Code of Conduct when you submit your application.
2. Clinical Experience Requirements
EMDRIA certification requires at least two years of clinical experience after your independent licensure date. You must also complete a minimum of 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 different clients. These numbers are strict—if you fall short on the 25-client minimum, you need to wait until you meet it before applying.
Two notarized statements confirming your EMDR practice and experience are required to apply for certification. The notarization requirement is non-negotiable, and missing it is one of the most common application delays.
3. Consultation Hours Breakdown
You need 20 hours of EMDR-specific consultation with an EMDRIA-approved consultant before submitting an application. At least 10 hours must be individual consultation (group hours alone will not meet the requirement). Document hours for each consultant separately if you work with multiple providers, and confirm that group hours meet EMDRIA's structure guidelines.
Your consultation must focus on the application of EMDR, not general clinical supervision. Furthermore, if your supervisor is not an EMDRIA-approved consultant, those supervision hours do not count toward certification requirements (even if you discuss EMDR cases).
4. Recommendation Letters
You must have a letter from an EMDRIA-approved consultant recommending you for certification at the time of application, plus two professional letters regarding your overall practice and ethics. These letters should speak to your EMDR fidelity, case formulation skills, and clinical readiness. Generic letters that don't address your EMDR competence may weaken or delay your application.
5. Continuing Education Credits
Before applying for certification, you must complete 12 EMDRIA credits in EMDR-specific continuing education. These credits must be EMDRIA-approved—general CEUs do not substitute unless they are explicitly designated as EMDRIA Credits. Check the timeframe carefully, as credits must fall within EMDRIA's accepted period prior to your application date.
Tips on Consultation for EMDR Certification
The consultation requirement is among the most significant tasks in pursuing EMDR certification. These pointers will help you work through this as efficiently as possible.
Selecting an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant
When evaluating consultants, be sure to:
- Verify their consultant status on the EMDRIA directory.
- Confirm they can provide individual hours and appropriate documentation formats.
- Match your consultant's expertise to your caseload (if you're working with complex trauma, dissociation, or child clients, seek a consultant with depth in those areas).
- Confirm the full cost for consultation, recommendation letters, and any other tasks.
What to Cover in Consultation
During consultation, try to:
- Focus your consultation time on case selection, preparation phase depth, and stabilization plans for clients with dissociative risk.
- Work through target development, floatback explorations, cognition refinement, and the reliability of SUD and VoC ratings.
- Discuss blocks, resourcing strategies, protocol fidelity, and your rationale for interweaves when spontaneous processing stalls.
Documentation Tips
Best practices for documenting consultation activities include:
- Keep a log that includes the date, format (individual or group), duration, and consultant name for each session.
- If you use multiple consultants, track hours for each consultant separately.
- Save confirmation emails or certificates if you participate in group consultation—these serve as proof if documentation is questioned.
Clinical Experience and Case Logging
Depending on your current case mix, meeting the experience requirement of 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 different clients can be challenging. Here are some strategies to help you meet this requirement as quickly as possible, with sufficient tracking and evidence.
What Counts as an EMDR Session?
An EMDR session is one in which EMDR procedures are applied or in which advanced preparation occurs, meaningfully moving treatment toward reprocessing. This includes sessions focused on specific phases, such as history-taking with trauma timeline development, preparation with resourcing, or desensitization and reprocessing.
Practical tip - Document which phase you're working in to show EMDR integration across the care continuum.
Case Mix and Clinical Readiness
Aim for variety in client presentations and complexity when your caseload allows. Demonstrate stabilization skills and safe pacing with clients who present with dissociation risk.
Practical tip - Note any adaptations you use with children, couples, or group settings, if applicable - these show flexibility and model adherence across contexts.
Case Log Essentials
Your case log should include:
- A client code (not identifiable information)
- Session date
- Phase focus
- Brief target description
- SUD/VoC ratings (when relevant).
Practical tip - Add outcome notes and safety considerations for each session.
Application, Fees, and Timeline for EMDR Certification
Your application for EMDR certification should include your:
- Basic Training completion certificate
- License verification
- Notarized practice and EMDR experience statements
- Consultation hour documentation
- Letters of recommendation
- Certificates for your 12 EMDRIA Credits
- Acknowledgment of EMDRIA's policies.
You will be prompted to upload all of the above when submitting your application online via the EMDRIA certification application page.
Fees and Processing Time
EMDRIA Full Members pay $150, while non-members pay $350. The fee is non-refundable, so submit only when your documentation is complete and accurate. Typical review time is about three to five weeks after you submit a complete application through EMDRIA's online portal in the requested formats.
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them
Missing notarization or incomplete letters are the most frequent issues that cause application delays. Consultation hours from consultants who aren't EMDRIA-approved are a close second, along with submitting general CEUs that aren't designated as EMDRIA credits.
Really, the only way to avoid the above reasons for delay is to thoroughly familiarize yourself with every requirement and review everything twice before submission.
Renewal and Maintenance
As with most accreditations, EMDR certification requires some maintenance.
Validity and Renewal Process
EMDR certification is valid for two years. You need to complete the required EMDRIA credits during each certification period and maintain good standing with your license and EMDRIA policies. The renewal process is simpler than initial certification, but documentation is still required.
Keeping Your Skills Current
To demonstrate that your skills remain current, prioritize advanced topics that match your practice during renewal periods. Consultation after certification is optional but clinically valuable, especially when you're expanding into new populations or presentations. Track your credits and documents as you go to simplify renewal and avoid last-minute scrambling.
What Is the Total Cost of EMDR Certification
Before embarking on EMDR certification, it’s wise to explore what the full cost might be in your situation. Below are some typical ranges, but they can vary widely depending on your location and the training provider and consultant you use.
Typical Cost Ranges
Here is a rough guide to the cost of the components of EMDR certification.
- Basic EMDR training programs often range from about $1,000 to $2,000.
- Consultation fees range from around $100 to $150 per hour for 1:1 consultation. Group supervision is cheaper, but remember you can’t rely on it exclusively for EMDR certification.
- EMDRIA continuing education credits can be low-cost if you attend webinars, or more expensive if you attend multi-day workshops.
- Application fees are $150 for EMDRIA members or $350 for non-members.
The ranges listed above can vary widely, so it’s recommended to clarify training and consultation fees for your specific situation and then calculate an approximate total cost.
Timeline Expectations
Many clinicians complete EMDR certification requirements within 12 to 24 months after basic training. Your pace depends on your EMDR caseload, consultation schedule, and access to EMDRIA credits in your area or online.
Plan for a three to five-week review period after you submit the application, and don't book anything that depends on certification status until you receive confirmation.
Choosing EMDR Training and Continuing Education
EMDR training and continuing education can be expensive. So it’s worth putting some thought into how you will address this requirement before embarking on certification.
Basic Training Quality Markers
Your initial basic training must be EMDRIA-approved—this is non-negotiable for certification eligibility.
Quality basic training programs include supervised practice, individualized feedback, and case consultation during training. Before signing up, check policies for completion requirements and make-up sessions if you need to miss a training day.
Selecting EMDRIA Credits Wisely
Look for the EMDRIA credit designation on course descriptions before registering. Match CE topics to your caseload—if you're working with complex trauma or dissociation, prioritize those areas.
Confirm that presenters are experienced EMDR clinicians or consultants who can speak to real-world application and troubleshooting.
Certification Across Regions and Alternative Credentials
This guide focuses on EMDR certification in the US, but there are regional considerations that may influence your decisions.
International Variations
EMDRIA is the primary credentialing body in the US. EMDR Europe and national associations in other countries have similar but distinct criteria. If you trained abroad or plan to practice internationally, check recognition standards in your country. Some regions have reciprocal agreements, while others require separate applications.
Other Certificates vs EMDRIA Certification
Private training certificates can support your learning, but they don't substitute for EMDRIA certification when employers or panels require it. Before pursuing EMDR certification, you may want to confirm what your employer, insurer, or panel expects in your region before choosing a pathway.
Quick EMDR Certification Checklist
Use this summary to track your progress toward EMDR certification:
- EMDRIA-approved basic training completed with final certificate
- Independent clinical license in good standing
- Two years of clinical experience post-licensure
- At least 50 EMDR sessions with 25 different clients
- 20 hours of EMDR consultation (minimum 10 individual hours) with an EMDRIA-approved consultant
- Consultant recommendation letter plus two professional letters
- 12 EMDRIA Credits within the accepted timeframe
- Notarized statement of EMDR practice and experience
- Agreement to EMDRIA policies
- Application fee: $150 for members or $350 for non-members
Final Thoughts on EMDR Certification
EMDR certification validates your clinical depth and adherence to the model in ways that basic training alone cannot. It makes you stand out to employers and clients alike, and is worth the administrative effort when you’re ready.
The requirements for EMDR certification are designed to ensure you've practiced EMDR with volume, received structured feedback, and stayed current with the evidence base. When your session volume, consultation hours, and recommendation letters align with the criteria, your application process is straightforward and predictable.
To ensure the process runs smoothly, track your documentation as you go, verify consultant and CE approval status before committing time or money, and submit only when every requirement is complete.
FAQs About EMDR Certification
Can I practice EMDR without EMDRIA certification?
Yes. After completing basic training, you can practice EMDR within your license scope. Certification is a voluntary advanced credential that demonstrates documented competence and is often preferred by employers, insurance panels, and clients.
Do supervision hours count as consultation hours for EMDR certification?
Not unless your supervisor is an EMDRIA-approved consultant and the supervision is framed specifically as EMDR consultation. General clinical supervision does not meet EMDRIA's consultation requirement, even if you discuss EMDR cases.
Do all my CEUs count toward the 12-credit requirement?
No. Only EMDRIA-approved credits count toward certification. General CEUs do not substitute unless they are explicitly designated as EMDRIA credits. Check course descriptions before registering to confirm.
Can group consultation meet all 20 required hours for EMDR certification?
No. At least 10 hours must be individual consultation with an EMDRIA-approved consultant. The remaining 10 hours can be group consultation, but you must meet the individual minimum.
Do telehealth EMDR sessions count toward the 50-session requirement?
Yes, if telehealth is within your license scope, properly documented, and clinically appropriate. EMDRIA does not distinguish between in-person and telehealth sessions for certification purposes.
What if I have worked with multiple EMDRIA-approved consultants?
Submit documentation from each consultant and ensure your total includes at least 10 individual hours across all consultants. Track hours per consultant separately in your records to avoid confusion during the application review.
What if I fall short on the 25-client minimum for EMDR certification?
Wait until you meet it before applying for certification. EMDRIA enforces this criterion strictly, and submitting an incomplete application wastes time and money. Continue building your EMDR caseload until you reach the threshold.
How long does EMDR certification last?
Certification is valid for two years. You must complete the required EMDRIA training credits during each certification period and maintain good standing with your license and EMDRIA policies to renew.
Is EMDRIA membership required for certification?
No, but the application fee is significantly lower for EMDRIA full members ($150 vs $350 for non-members). If you plan to pursue certification, membership can offset the cost difference and provide access to member-only resources.
What happens if my application for EMDR certification is incomplete or rejected?
EMDRIA will notify you of missing or insufficient documentation. You can resubmit with corrections, but delays extend your timeline and may result in additional fees. Review every requirement carefully before your initial submission to avoid this scenario.