Certifications
A number of certifications and categories of membership are offered. All certifications require passing a content valid and reliable written examination. All NAFC examinations are based on the knowledge and skills required of a minimally competent practitioner entering the profession of forensic counseling.
Memberships are not certifications and do not require passing a written examination.
All clinical certifications require a minimum of two years experience in the forensic specialty being applied for, a masters degree from an accredited educational institution in counseling, social work, psychology, addictions or education and state licensure in your profession.
Non-clinical certifications are for practitioners with less than a masters degree and/or do not meet the clinical certification requirements. Non-clinical certification holders can apply for clinical certification after a masters degree is obtained and/or clinical certification requirements have been met.
Upon verification and approval of your application, NAFC will begin the scheduling process of your proctored examination online at one of our ACT testing sites near you.
Applications are available for download below. You must have Adobe Acrobat to download applications.
Apply for Diplomate or Fellow Status
Fees
All Certifications
- Application Fee - $25.00
- Examination Fee - $325.00
- Annual Renewal Fee - $125.00
Memberships
- Application Fee - $25.00
- Annual Renewal Fee - $125.00
Student Memberships
- Annual Fee - $20.00
Certifications Offered
Clinical Certifications - application
- Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor
- Clinically Certified Criminal Justice Specialist
- Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
- Clinically Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist
- Clinically Certified Juvenile Treatment Specialist
- Clinically Certified Sentence Mitigation Specialist
Non-Clinical Certifications - application
- Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
- Certified Criminal Justice Specialist
- Certified Forensic Counselor
- Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist
- Certified Juvenile Treatment Specialist
- Certified Sentence Mitigation Specialist
Addiction Specialties Certifications - application
- Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
- Master Addictions Counselor
- Master Social Work Addictions Counselor
- Certified Forensic Substance Abuse Specialist
- Certified Forensic Addictions Specialist
Memberships
Clinical Membership (CM)
Requirements:
- Masters Degree
- Employed in a capacity of working with offenders, i.e., criminal justice, mental health, addictions.
- No examination required
Professional Membership (PM)
Requirements:
- Reserved for criminal justice professionals involved in offender management, i.e., parole, probation, administrators, law enforcement, etc.
- No examination required
Research Membership (RM)
Requirements:
- Reserved for those professionals that are involved in offender research
- No examination required
Student Membership (SM)
Requirements:
- Must be a student in the field of criminal justice, counseling, psychology, social work, addictions, sociology, etc.
- No examination required
Certification Renewal: All certifications are renewed annually and require a recertification fee, and maintaining state licensure in good standing.
Members are allowed a 30 day grace period with no additional fees.
Certification renewals 30-60 days late will be assessed a $25.00 late fee.
After 60 days, a $75.00 reinstatement fee will be assessed in addition to the current certification fee rate.
After 1 (one) year from the original expiration date, member's certification will be lapsed and they must reapply and take the examination to become recertified. The $25.00 application fee will be waived for previous members. The $325.00 testing fee must accompany the application before a testing date is scheduled.
Military (deployed or stationed overseas) are exempt. They may renew with no additonal fees upon providing proof of deployment status.
Members that hold a current certification, and wish to renew a certification they previously held that has lapsed, must follow the recertification policy above.
Current members wishing to add a new certification will be required to pay a test fee of $200.00. The $25.00 application fee will be waived for current members testing for a new certification.
