Are you ready to be released to effectively serve with confidence?
IFOC trained Chaplains receive a certificate and ID card that demonstrate their readiness to provide guidance to people in crisis.
Your Chaplain membership also enrolls you in an international fellowship of like-minded ministers and servants, which includes exclusive education opportunities, programs, and seminars to continue learning and growing in your ability to impact your community.
Steps to Receiving your Credentials
After attending one of our world-class training weeks, interested candidates may submit an application for credentials. Our credentialing committee also conducts interviews with those applicants who pass the initial review of their application as part of the application process.
I.F.O.C. offers Chaplain Ordination for those who qualify. If you are already a licensed I.F.O.C. Chaplain and would like to apply for ordination, please use this form to apply.
The Application PDF Includes:
- Application Checklist
- Completed Payment Form
- Completed Application Membership Form
- National Criminal History report
- Pastor or Overseer recommendation
- Payment of one-time $250 Application fee and $250 Annual Dues ($500 Total; a discount is discussed in class related to this fee)
- Up-to-Date Personal Resume
- List of Community Service experiences
- Copy of Certificate of Completion from I.F.O.C. Chaplaincy Course
- Recommendation letters from two (2) business people
- Copy of valid driver’s license
- A passport-style photo (not a photo of your passport)
- If previously Licensed: Copy of Ministerial License and/or Ordination
- Recommendation of a Chaplain
- The location and date of the seminar attended.
Credentials Scholarships & Discounts
First Responder, Military, and Veterans Discount
I.F.O.C. offers a $25 discount off the application fee for active first responders (with a copy of active ID) and veterans (with a copy of an active military ID or DD-214 form). To receive the $25 off, include a copy of your credentials in your application packet.
Couples & Family Discount
I.F.O.C. offers a $25 discount off the application fee for couples and family members living in the same household. To receive the $25 off, please include a page in your application packet requesting the discount and naming your spouse/family member.
Becoming a Chaplain FAQ’s
What is a Chaplain?
The office of Chaplain is a diversified position of help. The Chaplain is a spiritual leader that specializes in workplace, or on site, short term intervention ministry.
Who can become a Chaplain?
Chaplaincy covers a variety of ministerial services and offers different levels of ministerial requirements according to agency policy. Some agencies require their Chaplains to be Ordained Ministers, often Pastors of local church bodies, and have a specific educational background. Others require specific Chaplaincy training and membership in a recognized Chaplaincy organization that certifies different levels of Chaplaincy according to education and experience. Chaplaincy organizations and Fellowships offer non-pastoral ministers an opportunity to serve in the position of a Chaplain through specific training, certification and designation in their chosen field of ministry, thereby, allowing anyone who feels called of God to minister as a Chaplain.
Credentialing in the International Fellowship of Chaplains shall be open to Chaplains, Ministers and Ministries whose religious background, teachings, programs, biblical standards and standards are acceptable to the governing body of the fellowship.
How do I become credentialed as a Chaplain?
The first step in Credentialing is to attend an I.F.O.C. Chaplain Class. After completion of the class, students receive a certificate of completion that allows them to apply for Licensing & Ordination as an I.F.O.C. Chaplain. Students will then submit an application for credentials.
Do I have to be a pastor to become a Chaplain?
No. The field of Chaplaincy is designed to require different levels of licensure. A Licensed Chaplain is an experienced Chaplain that is recognized by a license. The Senior Chaplain is an Ordained position that exemplifies expertise in that field of Chaplaincy.
Do you provide training or endorsement for those who are already Chaplains?
Applicants who are already Chaplains endorsed through a seminar or other organization must attend the I.F.O.C. Chaplain Class and submit an application for review in order to be members of the I.F.O.C.
I am already licensed. Is it possible to upgrade my license to ordination in the IFOC?
Yes. We have a procedure to upgrade your License to the Ordained Level. This will require proof of Licensure, and/or long term work in your Chaplaincy field, and the proper recommendations as listed in our Licensure Requirements.
What does the background check in the application process look like?
The basic background investigation costs $43.50. There is a small percentage of counties that charge an additional fee to access their records. If you live in one of those counties, that price is passed on to you by the background investigative service and could increase the cost of your background check between $1.85 to $27.00 per name alias used over the last 7 years. Most people will not have an additional charge.
If you are asked for a "Good Deed Code" during the background request process please use y311y67.
If you live in New York (or have lived there over the last 7 years) please do not use this link. Call I.F.O.C. at (254) 314-2159 for further help submitting a background investigation.
