If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I need EMDRIA approval to practice EMDR?” or “Is EMDRIA the governing body of EMDR?” or “Does EMDRIA determine whether I’m competent in EMDR?” — you’re not alone.
Over the years, Online CE Credits has received hundreds of emails from clinicians asking if they’re breaking the law or behaving unethically by practicing EMDR without EMDRIA approval.
Many have even been led to believe EMDRIA is the regulator or governing body of EMDR therapy. Oddly, this belief is prevalent even though EMDRIA itself does not claim to be a governing body!
Let’s set the record straight.
The truth is: only your state licensing board or a government agency can govern your ability to practice psychotherapy, including EMDR.
Professional associations like EMDRIA, ACBS, or continuing education providers like Online CE Credits may set their own standards for psychotherapy, but they don’t have legal authority over your practice unless the government gives it to them.
The Real Governing Body: State Licensing Boards
The only true “gatekeepers” of psychotherapy are your state licensing boards.
- What they do: Licensing boards issue and revoke licenses, investigate complaints, and set the requirements you must meet to legally practice.
- Where their power comes from: State legislation. Their primary mandate is to protect the public.
Sometimes licensing boards adopt external standards — for example, many states require the NBCC exam or incorporate APA ethical codes.
But that authority is granted by the state government, not by the professional association itself.
Read more: “EMDR trained vs. certified”
The Myth of the Professional Association Gatekeeper
Organizations like EMDRIA are often respected, credible, and influential, but they do not regulate the practice of EMDR or determine competence. The same goes for continuing education providers such as Online CE Credits.
Here’s how their influence really works:
- Defining standards: EMDRIA sets its own training, consultation, and certification requirements.
- Professional buy-in: Clinicians voluntarily pursue EMDRIA approved certification to boost credibility and stand out in the marketplace.
- Client demand: Many clients specifically search for “EMDRIA Certified Therapists,” reinforcing the loop.
This can create influence, rightfully so. But it’s not law. You are not legally required to train through EMDRIA to practice EMDR therapy, and EMDRIA is not a governing body.
The gate isn’t locked — it’s simply one prestigious entrance.
The Independent Training Provider: A Different Path
The existence of other well-known training providers proves EMDRIA doesn’t hold a monopoly on EMDR education.
- Online CE Credits: We offer affordable and accessible certificate and certification options in EMDR Therapy Skills and Advanced EMDR Therapy Skills, taught by leading experts who’ve completed both EMDRIA and non-EMDRIA trainings. Don’t take our word for it — check out our 400+ 5-star Google Reviews. Online CE Credits’ certification arm is Mind Works Continuing Education, LLC.
- PESI: A widely recognized CE provider, PESI offers EMDR training and its own certification programs through its Evergreen Certifications platform, independent of EMDRIA.
- The Parnell Institute: Founded by the renowned Dr. Laurel Parnell, this institute specializes in Attachment-Focused EMDR and offers its own respected certification path.
Each of these highly respected providers (and others!) has developed its own standards of quality and rigor — proof that excellence in EMDR training exists outside the “EMDRIA approved program” ecosystem.
What Clinicians Should Really Look For in EMDR Training
When you’re selecting an EMDR training, the most important factor isn’t whether it carries a specific association’s seal of approval — it’s the quality of the trainer and program itself.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Trainer’s Credentials & Education
- What is their education level? Did they attend a nationally ranked, rigorous graduate program?
- Did they complete a residency or postdoctoral fellowship? Where?
- What’s their clinical background and post-grad experience?
- Trainer’s Trauma & PTSD Experience
- How many years have they been treating PTSD and complex trauma more broadly?
- Was their training concentrated and trauma-specific?
- Have they published peer-reviewed research or authored books with reputable, well-known publishers?
- Trainer’s Breadth of Knowledge
- Do they understand multiple psychotherapies, so they can explain EMDR’s strengths and its limitations?
- How much EMDR basic training have they completed themselves, and was it across multiple trainers or perspectives?
- Trainer’s Professional Reputation
- Have they been invited to speak for respected organizations?
- How many years of speaking and training experience do they have?
- What do independent reviews (like Google Reviews) say about them, not just testimonials on their own site?
- Training Organization & Value
- What’s the reputation of the company?
- How much does the training and certification really cost over the course of a career?
- What are the recertification requirements — are they aligned with genuine advances in the field, or mostly revenue-driven?
- Does the value proposition make sense given how often EMDR science evolves?
Bottom line: The right training program is one led by experienced, credible trainers with strong trauma backgrounds and supported by a reputable organization with transparent standards and fair pricing.
The Final Word: Influence, Not Authority
At the end of the day, the only entities that can say whether you are legally permitted or competent to practice EMDR therapy are your state licensing boards.
Professional associations like EMDRIA and training providers like PESI, the Parnell Institute, and Online CE Credits operate in a different sphere: influence. Their power comes from credibility, voluntary participation, and the professional communities they serve.
So the next time you see a credential from EMDRIA — or any professional association — remember:
- It’s a sign of voluntary commitment to a standard.
- It may carry prestige in the marketplace.
- But it does not determine whether you are legally allowed to practice EMDR therapy. That authority belongs only to your state licensing board.
Bottom Line for Clinicians:
When choosing an EMDR therapy program, look closely at the trainer, the program, and the organization hosting it.
Don’t let the myth of the “professional association gatekeeper” confuse or intimidate you.
Choose trainings that fit your goals, your clients’ needs, and your professional growth — and know that your license, not EMDRIA (or us!), is what governs your practice.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, legal services, psychological advice, or psychological services. We are not licensed attorneys. Please consult a licensed attorney for legal guidance.
