EMDR Training Requirements & Eligibility
Clear standards help good clinicians move forward with confidence.
EMDR training is intended for qualified mental health professionals and certain graduate-level clinicians who meet current eligibility standards. This page explains who may qualify, what backgrounds are typically accepted, and how to determine your next step.
If you are interested in EMDR training but unsure whether you meet the requirements, you are not alone. Many clinicians begin here.
For information such as training locations, dates, and times, feel free to view our EMDR Training Calendar.
At a Glance
Who Is Eligible for EMDR Training?
Eligibility for EMDR training is typically based on professional licensure, graduate education, clinical role, and current EMDRIA-approved training standards.
Those who may qualify often include:
• licensed mental health professionals
• psychologists
• counselors
• social workers
• marriage and family therapists
• psychiatrists
• psychiatric nurses
• certain graduate students or pre-licensed clinicians, depending on current standards
Requirements can change over time and may vary by jurisdiction or credential status.
If you are unsure, reviewing the full guidelines or contacting our team is the best next step.
The following outlines the minimum eligibility requirements to take an EMDRIA- Approved EMDR basic training.
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- Qualifying medical doctors must be licensed to practice in their state or province.
- Qualifying advanced practice registered nurses must have a Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) with a specialization in psychiatric mental health nursing and must be licensed to practice through their state board or province.
- Qualifying Mental Health Clinicians must have a master’s degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and be licensed to practice through their state board or province.
- Individuals who only hold a chemical dependency or substance abuse license are not eligible as these licenses generally do not allow for a mental health scope of practice.
Pre-Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- These are clinicians who are actively pursuing a mental health license through their state board (or province) while working under a licensed supervisor. Some of these license types include associate, intern, limited, provisional, temporary and pre-license.
- Qualifying pre-licensed mental health clinicians must have a master’s degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and must be actively pursuing a full license through their state board (or province) while working under a licensed supervisor.
Graduate Students
- Qualifying graduate students must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work) or related mental health discipline. Students must have completed their core graduate academic coursework and must be in the practicum/internship portion of their graduate program. First year graduate students are not eligible. Graduate students must be on a licensing track and working under the supervision of a fully licensed mental health clinician.
- Graduate students who would like to take an EMDR Training will need to submit certain documentation (graduate transcript, practicum or internship details, and a letter from their supervisor which includes the supervisor’s license information and number) in order to verify their eligibility. Students do not need to provide EMDRIA with any documentation unless specifically asked to do so by EMDRIA staff. Any documentation that needs to be submitted would go directly to the training provider either prior to or during the training registration process.
Serious Standards. Open Doors.
Eligibility requirements exist to protect the integrity of EMDR training and the clients clinicians will one day serve through it. They are not meant to discourage capable professionals, but to ensure the model is learned within an appropriate clinical foundation.
If you meet the requirements, your next step may be closer than you think. If you are unsure, we are happy to help clarify your status and guide you toward the right path.