Humanist Celebrants provide meaningful, distinctly personal, and professional humanist ceremonies for a wide range of life’s major events and milestones. A celebrant can help commemorate the welcoming of a child, coming-of-age, gender transitions, commitment unions, weddings, memorials, and so much more! Our celebrants are committed to humanism and not bound by a traditional religion and its dogma, therefore they are able to provide custom-made ceremonies imbued with personal meaning and honor the shared humanity and values of those involved.
While most of our celebrants primarily take a humanist approach, there are those who also embrace performing inclusive secular, inter-religious or other non-religious services. For those individuals from differing religious and cultural backgrounds, Humanist Celebrants can be the perfect alternative.
Humanist Celebrants are generally recognized in all states and many countries, being accorded the same rights and privileges granted by law to priests, ministers, and rabbis of traditional theistic religions. However, marriage laws vary by state and county in the United States. We suggest contacting your local county clerk’s office for the most accurate legal information.
The Humanist Society offers several different endorsement options. Read through our various levels and apply today!
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SINGLE LICENSE
Associate Humanist Chaplain
Individuals endorsed as Associate Chaplains are seeking or currently serving in chaplain roles, but do not meet all the qualifications for chaplain status. Associate Chaplains have completed or are currently enrolled in a Master’s of Divinity (MDiv) program or educational equivalent, but have not necessarily completed their required CPE or supervised ministry. Associate Chaplains might take volunteer or part-time roles as they explore careers in chaplaincy, or might work in settings that don’t require board certification or traditional chaplain qualifications.
Qualifications:
- Completed (Or currently enrolled in) MDiv or equivalent education* from accredited institution
- Possible equivalencies: MA Religion/Religious Studies, MA Theology/Theological Studies, Masters of Social Work, MA or MS Psychology, MA Leadership Studies
- (5+ years of full-time work experience in relevant fields may qualify as an MDiv equivalency for the Associate Chaplain endorsement)
- Demonstrated experience providing emotional and spiritual support for crisis, grief, and/or trauma
- Strong understanding of humanism and commitment to humanist values
- Ability to work in interfaith settings
- Understanding of Associate Chaplain role
- Plan for using endorsement (include in application, discuss in interview)
Other Requirements:
- Continual Membership with the American Humanist Association
- Completed Application
- $40 Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
- Three complete references
- Phone Interview
- Approval from Endorsement Committee
- $100 Annual Professional Fee (after approval)
DEVELOPER LICENSE
Humanist Chaplain
Chaplains provide guidance and emotional or spiritual support within secular institutions such as a hospital, nursing home, prison, military unit, school, police department, university and/or humanist community. Individuals endorsed as Chaplains have completed a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent degree and the necessary units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or supervised ministry. Chaplains are encouraged to pursue certification through a national chaplaincy board.
Initial Humanist Chaplain endorsement is valid for an initial 2-year period and then may renew their endorsement for 5-year periods thereafter.
The Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc., an affiliate of the Association for Professional Chaplains (APC), sets their own standards for certification. APC recognizes the Humanist Society as an endorser of chaplains. The Humanist Society provides endorsement authenticating one as a humanist. Employers may require specific professional certifications for individuals to function as a chaplain within their institution.
NOTE: The Chaplain endorsement does not grant equivalent rights as clergy to legally perform weddings under the jurisdiction of most states within the U.S. without additionally holding a Celebrant endorsement. Chaplains are encouraged to apply to be a Celebrant. Chaplain/Celebrant application requires only a single application, application fee, annual professional dues payment, and re-endorsement process.
Qualifications:
- MDiv or equivalent degree* from accredited institution
- Possible equivalencies: MA Religion/Religious Studies, MA Theology/Theological Studies, Masters of Social Work, MA or MS Psychology, MA Leadership Studies
- (Work experience alone will not meet educational equivalency standards for the Chaplain endorsement.)
- At least 800 hours (2 units) of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), supervised ministry, internships, or direct work experience in chaplaincy
- Note: Many different kinds of supervised work experience may meet this requirement for the purposes of our endorsement. However, employers and national chaplaincy boards may hold narrower standards for CPE and possible equivalencies
- Demonstrated experience providing emotional and spiritual support for crisis, grief, and/or trauma
- Strong understanding of humanism and commitment to humanist values
- Ability to work in interfaith settings
- Understanding of Chaplain role
- Plan for using endorsement (include in application, discuss in interview
Other Requirements:
- Continual Membership with the American Humanist Association
- Completed Application
- $40 Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
- Three complete references
- Phone Interview
- Approval from Endorsement Committee
- $100 Annual Professional Fee (after approval)