TL;DR — total cost
Typical 2026 US total: $2,150–$3,850 from end of basic training to EMDRIA Certification approval.
Reviewed by the EMDR Assist Clinical Team, EMDR-trained clinicians.
Educational reference material for EMDR-trained clinicians. It does not replace EMDRIA-approved Basic Training, consultation, supervision, or clinical judgement, and it is not medical advice.
Line-item breakdown
- Consultation (20 hrs): $1,600–$3,000. Individual hours run $100–$200; group runs $40–$80.
- CE / CEU (12 hrs of EMDR content): $300–$600. On-demand courses are cheaper than live.
- EMDRIA application fee: $250 member / $300 non-member.
- EMDRIA annual membership: $189 (waivable in first year of certification for many).
How to minimize cost
- Use the full 10-hour group cap — group consultation is 40–60% cheaper per hour.
- Buy CEs bundled: many providers sell 12-hour EMDR bundles for $299.
- Join EMDRIA as a member before applying — saves $50 on the application.
- Track hours from day one so you don't over-buy near the deadline.
Where clinicians overspend
The #1 overspend: buying extra individual consultation because you can't reconstruct which hours are group vs individual. EMDR Assist's tracker enforces the split automatically.
References
- EMDR International Association. EMDRIA Certification Requirements. Accessed 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does EMDR certification cost in 2026?
Typical US total is $2,150–$3,850: $1,600–$3,000 for the 20 consultation hours, $300–$600 for 12 CE hours, and a $250 EMDRIA member application fee.
How much does EMDR consultation cost per hour?
Individual consultation runs $100–$200/hour in 2026. Group consultation runs $40–$80/hour per clinician.
Is EMDR certification worth the cost?
For most clinicians yes — certification is required for EMDRIA directory listing, most insurance panels' EMDR designation, and the CIT (consultant-in-training) pathway.
Can I get EMDR certification for free?
No — EMDRIA requires paid consultation hours and CEs from approved sources plus an application fee. Some employers reimburse consultation as CE.
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