Two EMDR trainings can look almost identical on a brochure. Both promise protocols, practice, and a certificate of completion. The difference lies in what that certificate allows you to do afterward. For a licensed clinician, training that meets EMDRIA standards protects clinical quality, and it protects the hours you invest, since certification builds on approved Basic Training. EMDRIA, the EMDR International Association, sets the benchmarks that approved programs follow. Clinicians often assume all EMDR courses are interchangeable, and that assumption is where costly mistakes begin. Read on to understand what EMDRIA approved training includes, why it matters for certification, and how to verify a program before you enroll.
EMDRIA is the professional association for EMDR therapy. Its approval means a training program has met the association’s standards for content, instruction, and structure. The review applies to the program itself. It is not an endorsement of any individual who attends.
That distinction matters because EMDR therapy is a structured, eight-phase approach built on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. Skipping or rushing a phase changes how safely treatment is delivered. An approved program is designed so each phase is taught, demonstrated, and practiced before you use it with clients.
Approval also gives clinicians a shared reference point. When colleagues, consultants, and EMDRIA all expect the same foundation, referrals, consultation, and certification rest on common ground.
EMDRIA requires 50 hours of Basic Training, including 10 hours of consultation. Some programs exceed that minimum. A 57-hour format across three parts, for instance, provides 47 CEs and includes the 10 consultation hours in tuition, so there are no added fees or extra time after the course ends.
A well-built approved training covers:
The learning objectives for each part of Basic Training show how these elements are organized, so you can compare programs line by line.
EMDRIA certification is optional, but it builds on completion of an EMDRIA approved Basic Training. From there, certification requires active licensure, two years of professional experience, 50 EMDR sessions with 25 clients, 20 consultation hours, 12 CE hours, and letters of recommendation.
Most clinicians complete the process within 18 to 24 months. Training taken outside an approved program can leave gaps in your record. Choosing an approved program at the start protects your time and your investment.
It also keeps your consultation hours and CE credits aligned with what EMDRIA expects to see. For a closer look at how the two credentials relate, read about how Basic Training and certification differ.
Approval sets the floor. Format and faculty shape the rest. Premier Basic Training pairs two senior EMDRIA approved Trainers with a large lecture format and small breakout groups led by EMDRIA approved facilitators. Breakout groups are capped at eight participants, so each clinician gets more observation time and feedback.
Select Basic Training uses one EMDRIA approved Select Trainer with a small group of 6 to 16 participants. Practicum and consultation happen with that trainer, supported by additional facilitators and consultants as needed.
Both formats meet the approved standard, so the choice comes down to how you learn best. Our overview of Premier and Select Basic Training options explains the differences in detail.
A few assumptions cause trouble for clinicians who choose a program quickly. The first is that every EMDR course counts toward certification. It does not. Only training that meets EMDRIA standards form the foundation for that process.
The second is that approval guarantees a good learning experience. Approval sets a minimum standard. Group size, trainer experience, and practicum support still vary from program to program, so they deserve your own review.
The third is that Basic Training makes you an expert. It gives you a structured foundation. Skill grows through consultation, advanced courses, and years of applying the model with real clients.
A program’s approval status should be easy to confirm. Before you commit, ask each provider:
Clear answers are a good sign. Vague or hesitant answers deserve follow-up. If you are still weighing whether the commitment fits your stage of practice, what licensed clinicians should know before enrolling is a useful next read.
Choosing an approved program is the first decision on a longer clinical path. EMDR Professional Training offers EMDRIA approved Basic Training with consultation included.
Review the Basic Training schedule to find your dates, or contact our team with questions about eligibility and formats.
