Obtain a Credential

The EFCA offers six distinct types of ministerial credentials. Find the one that's right for you and start your application.

Six types of EFCA credentials

Ministry License: Five-Year Non-Renewable

For those pastors, ministers, and vocational ministry staff involved in an EFCA qualifying ministry for less than 10 years, and who desire to be aligned with and accountable to the EFCA.

Ministry License: Three-Year Renewable

For pastors, ministers, and vocational ministry staff involved in an EFCA qualifying ministry and who desire to be aligned with and accountable to the EFCA.

Certificate of Christian Ministry

For qualified individuals serving in local church ministry whose primary ministry is in support of teaching and preaching the Word. Also fitting for some, both men and women, whose primary ministry is directly related to the ministry of the Word.

Certificate of Ordination

For qualified men who serve in pastoral ministry in the local church whose primary ministry responsibility is preaching and teaching the Word.

Transfer of Ordination

For qualified men who serve in pastoral ministry in the local church whose primary ministry responsibility is preaching and teaching the Word, and who have a valid Ordination from another ordaining denomination or local church.

To learn more or preview these credentials, visit the EFCA Credentialing app.

FAQs, policies and resources

Purpose of credentialing

• Affirm God’s call upon a person’s life
• Verify that this person meets the qualifications and standards for ministry in the Evangelical Free Church of America
• Approve this person for ministerial service under the auspices of the EFCA
• Provide legal status in the exercise of that person’s ministry