- EMDR training and EMDR certification are different. Basic training teaches you to use EMDR. Certification from EMDRIA is an optional, advanced credential earned afterward.
- To become an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, you need a mental health license, EMDRIA-approved basic training, 2+ years of licensed experience, 50 EMDR sessions with 25 clients, 20 consultation hours, 12 EMDRIA credits and recommendation letters.
- Most therapists finish certification one to two years after basic training.
- Beyond training, certification typically costs a few thousand dollars, mostly for consultation. Confirm current fees with EMDRIA.
If you're a licensed therapist interested in EMDR, you've probably noticed that the words "trained" and "certified" get used interchangeably. They aren't the same thing, and the difference matters for your clients, your resume and your budget.
As a telehealth practice that works alongside trauma-informed clinicians, we wrote this as an independent, step-by-step guide. No training to sell. Just the path, the costs and the timeline.
EMDR Training vs EMDR Certification
| EMDR basic training | EMDRIA certification | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Foundational training in EMDR therapy | An advanced credential showing experience and skill with EMDR |
| Required to practice EMDR? | Yes, completing an approved basic training is the standard | No, it's optional |
| What it includes | Didactic learning, supervised practice and consultation | Documented sessions, extra consultation, continuing education and references |
| Who grants it | An EMDRIA Approved Trainer or training provider | EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) |
| When | First step | After basic training and clinical experience |
In short: once you complete an EMDRIA-approved basic training, you're "EMDR trained." "EMDRIA Certified Therapist" is a separate credential you earn later by documenting real-world experience and consultation.
Who Can Get EMDR Certified
EMDR certification is for licensed mental health professionals. That typically includes licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, among others, who are independently licensed to provide psychotherapy in their state.
EMDRIA requires at least two years of experience in your field of license before you apply for certification. If you're still in training or practicing under supervision, you can usually complete basic training first and work toward certification later.
EMDR is often one part of a broader care team. To understand how different professionals work together, see roles in an integrated mental health team.
Step by Step: How to Get EMDRIA Certified
According to EMDRIA's certification requirements, the path looks like this:
- Hold a qualifying license. You need an independent license in a mental health field.
- Complete EMDRIA-approved basic training. Keep your official certificate of completion. Not every EMDR course qualifies, so check that the program is EMDRIA approved.
- Gain experience. Have at least two years of experience in your field of license, and conduct at least 50 EMDR sessions with at least 25 different clients.
- Complete 20 hours of consultation. These must be with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, after your basic training. At least 10 of the 20 hours must be individual consultation.
- Earn 12 EMDRIA credits. These are EMDR-specific continuing education hours from EMDRIA-approved programs.
- Gather letters of recommendation. You need a letter from your EMDRIA Approved Consultant and letters from colleagues or peers about your clinical work and professional character.
- Apply online. Submit your documents and application fee through EMDRIA. EMDRIA says approval typically takes three to five weeks.
Start a simple tracking sheet the day you finish basic training: date, client code, number of EMDR sessions and consultation hours. Rebuilding this record later is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.
How Much EMDR Certification Costs
Costs vary by trainer, consultant and region. These are typical ranges, so always confirm current prices with providers and with EMDRIA.
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EMDRIA-approved basic training | Often $1,500 to $2,500 or more | Required before certification; prices vary widely by provider |
| Individual consultation (10+ hours) | About $150 to $250 per hour | With an EMDRIA Approved Consultant |
| Group consultation (up to 10 hours) | About $50 to $100 per hour | Lower cost per hour; shared with other clinicians |
| 12 EMDRIA credits | About $200 to $500 | EMDR-specific continuing education |
| Certification application fee | Set by EMDRIA | Check EMDRIA's site; membership can affect the fee |
Beyond basic training, most therapists spend roughly $2,000 to $4,500 to complete certification, with consultation as the biggest cost. Some employers help pay for EMDR training and consultation, so it's worth asking.
Still choosing where to train? Our guide to the 5 best EMDR trainings compares well-known options.
How Long It Takes
Basic training itself usually spans a few weekends to a few months, depending on the format. After that, most therapists take one to two years to complete certification. The biggest variable is how quickly you can reach 50 EMDR sessions with 25 clients, which depends on your caseload and how often EMDR is clinically appropriate for your clients.
EMDRIA requires that the 20 consultation hours be completed within the five years before you apply, so there's flexibility if your caseload builds slowly.
Online vs In-Person Training
Many EMDRIA-approved basic trainings are now offered online, in person or in a hybrid format.
- Online: more flexible, often less expensive once travel is included, and easier to fit around a caseload. Practicum is usually done in small virtual groups.
- In-person: some clinicians prefer practicing skills face to face and value the networking.
Either format can qualify. What matters is that the program is EMDRIA approved and that you receive the correct certificate of completion.
EMDR has strong recognition for trauma treatment. In 2013, the World Health Organization's guidelines for conditions specifically related to stress recommended EMDR as one of the psychological treatments for adults with PTSD. Trauma care often combines several approaches, and some clients also benefit from music therapy for PTSD and trauma recovery alongside therapy.
Common Application Mistakes
EMDRIA's own guidance points to a few issues that often delay applications:
- The wrong training document. EMDRIA needs your official basic training certificate of completion, not a training log or a CE certificate.
- Unclear consultation records. Your consultant's documentation should clearly show the dates, the total hours and how many were individual versus group.
- Consultation that doesn't count. Only hours with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, received after you finished basic training, count toward certification.
- Missing or mismatched letters. Letters from your consultant don't count as peer letters, so plan for both.
Keeping Your Certification
EMDRIA certification isn't a one-time achievement. To keep it, certified therapists complete ongoing EMDRIA-approved continuing education and renew on EMDRIA's schedule. Check EMDRIA's current renewal requirements when you're certified, and keep certificates organized so renewal is simple.
How EMDR Fits Into a Broader Practice
EMDR is one tool, not a whole practice. Most clinicians who use it also draw on other evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapies, and adapt their care to each client's readiness and goals. Good EMDR practice includes careful preparation, attention to client stability and coordination with other providers when needed.
Many trauma survivors benefit from a team approach. Depending on the person, that might include a therapist trained in EMDR, a psychiatric provider, a primary care doctor and supportive services like music therapy, which can help with emotional regulation and expression between therapy sessions. Clear communication between providers, with the client's consent, helps everyone pull in the same direction.
Is EMDR Certification Worth It?
Reasons it can be worth it:
- It signals advanced experience to clients, referral sources and employers.
- Structured consultation can noticeably improve your EMDR skills and confidence.
- Some group practices and agencies prefer or require it for EMDR-focused roles.
- It's a step toward becoming an EMDRIA Approved Consultant later, if that interests you.
Reasons you might wait:
- It isn't required to practice EMDR after approved basic training.
- The cost of consultation adds up.
- Certification requires ongoing continuing education to maintain.
If EMDR is a big part of your practice or career plans, certification is usually a worthwhile investment. If you use it occasionally, basic training plus ongoing consultation may be enough for now.
FAQ
What are the requirements for EMDR certification?
To become an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, you need a mental health license, completion of EMDRIA-approved basic training, at least two years of experience in your field of license, at least 50 EMDR sessions with 25 clients, 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant (at least 10 individual), 12 EMDRIA credits, and letters of recommendation.
How much does EMDR certification cost?
Beyond basic training, which often costs around $1,500 to $2,500 or more, EMDRIA certification typically costs about $2,000 to $4,500. Most of that is consultation, at roughly $150 to $250 per hour for individual sessions. Continuing education credits and EMDRIA's application fee add to the total, so confirm current fees with providers and EMDRIA.
How long does it take to get EMDR certified?
Most therapists complete EMDRIA certification one to two years after finishing basic training. The timeline depends mainly on how quickly they can complete at least 50 EMDR sessions with 25 clients and 20 consultation hours. EMDRIA also requires at least two years of licensed experience before applying.
Can you get EMDR certified online?
Yes, much of the process can be completed online. Many EMDRIA-approved basic trainings are offered virtually, consultation is commonly done by video, and EMDRIA credits are available online. The certification application is also submitted online. The client sessions are completed in your clinical practice, which may itself be in person or telehealth.
What's the difference between EMDR training and EMDR certification?
EMDR basic training is the foundational course that teaches clinicians to use EMDR therapy and is the standard requirement to practice it. EMDRIA certification is an optional, advanced credential earned afterward by documenting clinical experience, completing additional consultation and continuing education, and submitting recommendations.
Do you need certification to practice EMDR?
No. Licensed mental health professionals can typically practice EMDR after completing an EMDRIA-approved basic training, as long as it's within their scope of practice. EMDRIA certification is voluntary and shows advanced experience, though some employers or practices may prefer or require it for EMDR-focused roles.
One Last Thing
EMDR certification is a meaningful milestone, but it's a marathon, not a sprint. Start with a quality basic training, track your sessions and consultation from day one, and let your skills grow with real clinical experience.
If you're building a trauma-informed practice and want to understand how music therapy can complement your clients' care, we'd be glad to talk.
