Membership Categories

Member benefits are the same for all membership categories. Career development professionals can Join NCDA directly, or join through the American Counseling Association (ACA).

REGULAR*

While most NCDA members hold master's degrees in counseling or related fields, there is not a minimum educational requirement to become an NCDA Regular Member.   Anyone who has an interest or involvement in career development may join.  Regular members join directly through NCDA Headquarters.  

NEW PROFESSIONAL & STUDENT & First Timers

Students enrolled in programs preparing them for counseling and other career development areas are eligible to become student members of NCDA. Student members may join through NCDA directly, or through ACA. New Professionals are those graduates in their first year of employment in the career development field.  New Professionals may also be anyone new to NCDA regardless of their employment history.  New Professionals are offered reduced membership dues for a limit of one-year.

RETIRED

Retirees who have been an NCDA member for at least ten years and are retired from the counseling profession can apply for retired membership. Retired members should apply for membership directly through NCDA.

PROFESSIONAL*

Professional members are those members who join through American Counseling Association (ACA) and NCDA through the ACA joint membership program. To qualify for ACA membership, one must hold a master's degree or higher in counseling or a closely related field from a college or university that was accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.  

* Special Designations:

Once you've become a member of NCDA, you may pursue NCDA's Special membership Categories/Designations.  You must be a Professional or Regular Member for 2 Years in which to apply.  They include:   Master Career Counselor (MCC) and Master Career Development Professional (MCDP).
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