Credentialing Interviews

The Sectional Leadership Committee in each section conducts all Final Credential Interviews, at a time and place arranged by the applicant’s Sectional Presbyter.

If you are already in the process or just beginning the process of applying for your credential, as soon as your file is complete it will be sent to your presbyter for your final Credential Interview. When your file is complete a letter will be sent to you requesting that you contact your Sectional Presbyter to arrange the date and time. It is wise to call the Presbyter as soon as you are notified, so you are scheduled at the first opening available. There may be times where it is necessary to wait a month or two for the Credential Interview appointment.

The formal Credentialing Interview does not eliminate or replace the Initial Presbyter Interview “get acquainted interview” with your presbyter for License or Recognition of credential applicants (a form is included with license application packets).

Certified or Licensed: No Timelines ~ files sent to Presbyter for final Credential Interview on an ongoing basis. **Allow 5+ months.

Ordination: Fully completed ordination application files including the formal credentialing interview are due absolutely no later than November 14th. Your Presbyter must have time to conduct the final interview and return the application files to the District Credentials Administrator office by this deadline. **Allow a minimum of 5+ months for this process.

Due to the time involved in processing individual applications, the following timeline is strongly encouraged. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD!!

June 15th		Last day to request official application
July 15th		Official Application received by the Credentials Administrator
Sept 15th		Completed final Exam received by the Credentials Administrator
Oct 1st		Last day to receive references; file must be complete
Nov 15th		Credentialing Interview must be completed

Previously Married
The General Council has passed resolutions regarding those individuals that have been previous divorced. Please let us know if this applies to your situation. These matters must be addressed and approved by General Council PRIOR TO MAKING APPLICATION. Please direct all inquiries regarding these situations to the Office of the District Superintendent, at (916) 379-9600 x1136.

General Council Mandated Background and Credit Checks
The General Council Executive Presbytery approved the recommendation of the Assemblies of God legal counsel, that as part of the application process "CPScreen" (the online version of Choice Point) will be used as the screening provider for a "National Criminal File" check on all credential applications and upgrades, effective January 1, 2004. It is the District’s responsibility to administer this process for each applicant.

Steps and Procedures

Step 1. Be aware of the new educational requirements. For information on how to complete the required studies for ministerial credentials please see the page on educational requirements. Contact the Credentials Administrator with any questions and/or evaluation of courses you have previously taken. When courses are completed for the level of credential you are seeking, call the Credentials Administrator for an Official Application. Upgrade applicants: Change of Credential Applications are sent for those advancing to License or Ordination. When you return the completed application packet please include all photocopies, transcript(s), a picture and the application fee.

Step 2. When you receive your application, carefully follow the checklist and instructions. Return the fully completed application along with the $75.00 non-refundable processing fee to the Credentials Administrator. Failure to return any part of the application, notarized authorization forms, or transcripts will prevent further processing of the application.

Step 3. Applicants must successfully pass a proctored examination for the credential level for which they are applying. You will be notified when the Credential exam has been sent to your Sectional Presbyter. The Presbyter will return your credential exam to the Credentials Administrator’s office for grading.

Step 4. Once the application file is COMPLETE, it will be prepared and sent to the applicant's Sectional Presbyter for the formal interview. The applicant is notified to contact the Presbyter for an interview appointment with the Sectional Leadership Committee. The applicant’s spouse or fiancé(e) is required to attend this interview.

Step 5. The recommendations of the Interviewing Committees are submitted to the Executive Presbytery. If District approval is granted, the application files are sent to The General Council in Springfield with the recommendations of the District. A ministerial credential is not actively or legally in place until General Council approval has been received. Upon this approval, a fellowship card and certificate are sent to the Northern California & Nevada District for issuing. New ministers are publicly recognized at the next District Council ONLY AFTER they actually received their credential.

For questions or information concerning Ministerial Credentials or to request the official application forms and other materials please contact the District Credentials Administrator at (916) 379-9600 x1121.