What you need to know about Licensed Ministry and Micro-Certification
Where can I use a license or micro-certification?
Licenses and micro-certifications are issued for the institution requesting the license and through the oversight of your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation only and are not transferable to any other institution within or outside the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, unless given special permission from the Bishop.
How do I apply and how long do they last?
The Head of Congregation is responsible for requesting all licenses and micro-certifications. In certain instances, this may include: Dean or Head of School (or their delegate). All licenses must be renewed every 3 years, and all micro-certifications must be renewed annually.
Do I meet the minimum requirements?
All candidates for licensure must be: “A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed,” (C&C III.4) and must complete all other requirements for a given license as required by the Bishop.
How it works
1
Explore your options
Be sure to read through the descriptions of Licensed Ministries and Lay Micro-Certifications on the previous page and prayerfully consider how God is calling you to use your skills, gifts, and talents. What is most exciting to you? What does your congregation need?
2
Discern with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation and enroll in training
Prayerfully explore your options knowing that some licenses require attending the Iona School for Ministry for 10 months and others require online training. Lay Micro-Certifications only require online training. Carefully discern both what you want to do and what you are able to do.
3
Have them fill out your application
Once you have discerned the Licensed Ministry or Lay Micro-Certification pathway that is right for you and have completed the required training, please have your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation complete your application.
4
Be sure you are Safeguard qualified for the license or micro-certification you request
Contact your SRA. All Licensed Ministry and Lay Micro-Certification is an elevated role of service, leadership, and pastoral care within our congregations. At the time of application, the applicant must at least be IN PROCESS or BEGINNING THE PROCESS of Safeguarding qualification.
Safeguarding Qualification Quick Reference Guide
- *To verify or renew your safeguarding certification, please contact your church’s Safeguarding Records Administrator (SRA)
- **Be assured that current lay leaders do NOT need to stop their current ministries. We will work with Rectors/Vicars/HOCs and SRAs to get everyone the Safeguarding training they need.
| 10-Month Certificate Iona School for Ministry | Online Training EDOT Formation | Safeguarding Qualification | |
| Licensed Ministries | |||
| Worship Leader | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Preacher | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Catechist | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Evangelist | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Eucharistic Minister | ✓ | ✓ (online only) | |
| Eucharistic Visitor | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Micro-certificates | |||
| Daily Office Leader | ✓ | ✓ (online only) | |
| Proclamation of the Word | ✓ | ✓ (online only) | |
Formation 