GAOCPC advances excellence in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy through competency-based certification, ethical standards, recognized training pathways, professional accountability, and public credential verification.
Choose the pathway that best matches why you came to GAOCPC today.
Credential confirmation for churches, institutions, and the public
View Certification Options →Access your candidate account, assigned examinations, examination status, and certification progress.
Open Candidate Dashboard →Confirm the certification status and credential information of a GAOCPC-certified professional.
Verify a Credential →Review recognized institutions, educational standards, supervised practicum requirements, and continuing professional development resources.
Explore Training Pathways →GAOCPC promotes responsible Christian care by establishing clear competency standards, ethical expectations, accountable certification processes, and verifiable credentials for pastoral counselors and chaplains.
Candidates are assessed against defined competencies, education requirements, ethical expectations, and certification criteria.
GAOCPC emphasizes confidentiality, professional boundaries, informed consent, responsible ministry practice, complaint review, and accountability.
Churches, institutions, employers, ministries, and members of the public can verify credentials issued by GAOCPC.
A structured process helps candidates understand what happens at each stage of certification.
Select the appropriate certification and review its eligibility, education, competency, practicum, examination, and fee requirements.
Provide the required personal information, ministry or professional background, education, references, and supporting documentation.
Complete the Common Core Examination and the specialty examination or assessment assigned to your certification pathway.
GAOCPC reviews your completed requirements and, when approved, issues your certification and credential record.
GAOCPC exists to strengthen pastoral counseling and chaplaincy by promoting competence, ethical practice, accountability, continuing development, and compassionate Christian care.
We support candidates and certified professionals through structured certification standards, examinations, recognized training pathways, ethical oversight, and credential verification.
About GAOCPCExplore GAOCPC certification pathways, access your candidate account, or verify an existing professional credential.