Apr 21, 2025
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) remains one of the most evidence-based methods for treating trauma and PTSD. For mental health professionals, EMDR training and optional certification provide a structured way to add this modality to clinical practice.
Who Can Pursue EMDR Training and Certification?
Only licensed or license-eligible mental health professionals can enroll in EMDR training. Requirements generally include:
Professional license allowing independent practice (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, psychiatric nurse practitioner).
Graduate degree in a mental health field from an accredited institution.
Supervised practice if you are still working toward licensure. Graduate students in their practicum/internship phase may qualify for basic training under supervision, but first-year graduate students usually are not eligible.
Professionals with licenses limited to chemical dependency or substance abuse counseling generally do not meet the eligibility criteria for EMDR training programs.
Important distinction: You may begin practicing EMDR after completing an approved basic training program within your licensure scope. Formal certification (such as EMDRIA certification) is optional and serves as an additional professional credential.
Academic and Clinical Prerequisites for Certification
Certification through EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association, a professional membership organization) has additional requirements beyond training:
Two years of experience in your licensed field
At least 50 EMDR sessions conducted with 25 different clients
20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA-approved consultant
12 hours of continuing education in EMDR
These steps demonstrate that you have not only learned EMDR but also applied it consistently in practice.
Choosing the Right EMDR Training Program
EMDRIA-Approved vs. Other Programs
EMDRIA approves specific training providers that meet its internal standards for curriculum, practicum, and consultation. Completing one of these programs is required if you want EMDRIA certification.
However, EMDRIA is not a governing or regulatory body. It is a voluntary professional association. Completing a training that is not EMDRIA-approved does not invalidate your skills or your ability to use EMDR if your professional license permits it. The difference is that such programs will not make you eligible for EMDRIA’s certification pathway.
When choosing a program, ask yourself:
Do I want EMDRIA certification as a credential?
Or do I want EMDR training for practice within my licensure, regardless of EMDRIA recognition?
Both paths exist, but only the first requires an EMDRIA-approved provider.
Formats: In-Person, Online, Hybrid
In-person: Face-to-face instruction, networking, and practice.
Online: Lower travel costs, accessible worldwide, effective for telehealth practice.
Hybrid: Combines online modules with in-person practice.
Research shows that EMDR can be taught effectively in both in-person and virtual formats, so the choice depends on your learning style, schedule, and budget.
FAQ
The EMDR Certification Process?
If you pursue EMDRIA certification, here is what to expect:
Basic Training
About 20 hours of lectures
20 hours of supervised practicum
10 hours of consultation
Post-Training Requirements
20 additional consultation hours
Clinical experience (50 sessions, 25 clients)
Two letters of recommendation from colleagues and one from a consultant
Application Review
EMDRIA typically reviews applications in 3–5 weeks.
Certification lasts two years and requires renewal with continuing education.
How Much Does EMDR Certification Cost in 2025?
Costs vary depending on provider and format, but typical expenses include:
Training programs: USD 1,500–2,500
Consultation: USD 100–150 per individual hour; group rates around USD 30–50 per hour
Materials and textbooks: USD 50–200
Certification application fee: USD 150–375 (lower for EMDRIA members)
Continuing education credits: Variable costs
Altogether, professionals usually spend USD 3,500–4,000 to complete the entire process. Many training centers offer payment plans to make costs manageable.
How Long Does Certification Take?
Basic training: Can be completed in a few weeks (often offered as two weekend intensives).
Certification: Usually takes several months to 18 months, depending on how quickly you accumulate client hours and consultation. EMDRIA allows up to five years to complete requirements.
What Happens After Certification?
Certification is valid for two years and requires 12 hours of EMDR-specific continuing education for renewal.
EMDRIA members pay USD 100 for renewal; non-members pay USD 300.
Certification signals advanced expertise, builds credibility with clients, and can expand your referral base.
Even without certification, completing EMDR training ethically allows you to integrate EMDR into your practice within your licensure scope. Certification is an added credential that can strengthen your professional profile.
Conclusion
EMDR training is a valuable way for clinicians to expand their therapeutic toolkit. Certification through EMDRIA provides additional recognition within the professional community, though it is not required to ethically and legally practice EMDR if your license permits.
Expect to invest around USD 3,500–4,000 and several months to a year if you choose to pursue certification. With EMDR, you can offer an evidence-based, highly effective treatment that improves outcomes for clients with trauma and PTSD.
