Applications for the 2024 Credentialing Exam are now closed. 

2025 application will be open May 15 through August 15, 2025.

Please contact credentialing@adec.org with any questions.

 

ADEC's CT® (Certified in Thanatology)

A Foundational Certification for Thanatology Professionals

 

The CT® is awarded to individuals who can verify prior experience and education in the field of death, dying, and bereavement and receive a passing score on the certification exam. The exam measures foundational knowledge and understanding of the essential body of knowledge for the study of death, dying, and bereavement. 

We do not offer a certificate program where one purchases and completes a specified course and is awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

 

Table of Contents:

Eligibility Requirements
Application FAQs
When to Apply
Application Fees
How to Apply
Preparing for the Certification Exam
Maintaining Your Credential
Contact Us

 

Eligibility Requirements:  Four Tracks to Apply for the CT® Credential

CT® Eligibility Requirements	Track 1	Track 2	Track 3	Track 4
Education Requirement Degree, Diploma, or Professional License For more details, click here.	Bachelor's Degree or higher in Social, Behavioral, or Health Science; Human Services; Education; or Related Field	Current Professional License in Social, Behavioral, or Health Science; Human Services; or Related Field and regulated by a governing body	Associate Degree or Post-Secondary Diploma (minimum 2 years of study) in Social, Behavioral or Health Science, Human Services; Education; or Related Field	Post-secondary Education outside of the fields of Social, Behavioral, or Heath Science; Education; or Human Services - OR- High School Diploma or Equivalency
Prior Thanatology Experience Paid or unpaid experience as a thanatology professional, trained thanatology volunteer, or student of a thanatology course or program. For more details, click here.	1760 Hours, of which at least 880 were accumulated in the past 10 years	1760 Hours, of which at least 880 were accumulated in the past 10 years	3520 Hours, of which at least 1760 hours were accumulated in the past 10 years	5280 Hours, of which at least 2640 hours were accumulated in the past 10 years
Prior Thanatology Education Education received as a learner in thanatology or thanatology relatable subjects/content For more details, click here.	90 Contact hours or CEUs, of which at least 22.5 were earned in the past 3 years	90 Contact hours or CEUs, of which at least 22.5 were earned in the past 3 years	90 Contact hours or CEUs, of which at least 22.5 were earned in the past 3 years	90 Contact hours or CEUs, of which at least 22.5 were earned in the past 3 years
Recommendations from Supervisors or Colleagues Click here for instructions and the required Recommendation Form.	Two	Two	Three (at least 1 of which is written by a supervisor)	Three (at least 1 of which is written by a supervisor)
Certification Exam For more details, click here.	Must receive a passing score on the Certification Exam	Must receive a passing score on the Certification Exam	Must receive a passing score on the Certification Exam	Must receive a passing score on the Certification Exam

 

 

 

Application FAQs

Click here  to see frequently asked questions.

 

 

When to Apply

2024 CT® application dates: May 15 through August 15, 2024.

2025 CT® application dates: May 15 through August 15, 2025.

Please note: The application review team will contact and work with candidates regarding missing information or components requiring additional context before approving or denying your application. However, all requests for more information or application modifications must be complete by August 22. Please consider applying early to provide yourself the best opportunity for collaboration with our team.

 

 

 

Application Fees

The application fee includes cost of the exam and if passed, the first active cycle of your certification (3 years).

ADEC Member Fee: $380

Non-Member Fee: $599

• Becoming an ADEC Member requires a separate transaction before applying for CT®
• Non-Members who wish to become an ADEC Member and enjoy all member benefits, join here
• Paying the Non-Member fee does not provide you with an ADEC membership

NOTE: ADEC's membership period is from January 1 through December 31. Fees are not pro-rated based on when you join. You can enjoy full member benefits through December 31st of this year, at which time your ADEC membership will expire.

If your application is not approved, no refunds will be given. However, candidates are welcome to contact credentialing@adec.org to seek clarification on their personal eligibility before applying. Our application review team will also provide candidates opportunities to clarify components of their application, add additional information, or answer questions about its content before denying an application. 

 

How to Apply

CT® application dates: May 15 through August 15, 2024.

Applications are not required to be completed in one sitting, you may save and return as needed.

 

1. To apply for the CT®, you must first log in to an ADEC Member or Non-Member Profile

• Members: log in to your ADEC member profile
• Non-Members who want to become an ADEC member, join here
•  Non-Members: click here to create a Non-Member Profile

2.Click the gold button below to access the Credentialing Application 

3. Select your "Application Type" (first question on page 1) :CT

4. From the dropdown box, select your CT Track: CT - Track 1, CT - Track 2, CT - Track 3, or CT - Track 4

5. Complete the application sections as required

6. When complete, click "Save", then "Add to Cart"

7. Submit your payment. Applications are not deemed complete until payment has been received. 

8. Once complete, your application will be reviewed by the Application review committee. Every effort is made to notify applicants of their approval/denial for exam candidacy within 4 weeks of receiving the application

 

The Review Committee may request additional information or documents to clarify or substantiate information on your application. Each request for information is given a two week deadline for resolution, and all requests for information must be resolved by August 22. Any requests for information unresolved by the deadline may result in your application being denied. We suggest applying early to allow ample time to reso lve any application deficiencies. 

If your application is not approved, no refunds will be given. However, candidates are welcome to contact credentialing@adec.org to seek clarification on their personal eligibility before applying. Our application review team will also provide candidates opportunities to clarify components of their application, add additional information, or answer questions about its content before denying an application.