UPGRADING
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UPGRADE STEP 1: WRITTEN REQUEST & REQUIREMENTS
Please send a written request to the Secretary/Treasurer’s office requesting credentials. You can submit this request by completing the Upgrade Form found at the bottle of this page or emailing HERE
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BASIC REQUIREMENTS
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CREDENTIALS: Applicants upgrading from licensed to ordained must be licensed for a minimum of 2 years before being eligible to advance to ordination.
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EDUCATION: All applicants must meet the appropriate educational requirements for the level of credentials being sought.
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MARRIAGE STATUS: If your marital status has changed since your previous application, please notify our office before applying for an upgrade. While history with divorce and remarriage is not an automatic disqualifier from credentialing, it can be in certain cases. Please communicate with the WTAP Secretary’s office via this form prior to starting the credentialing process for clarification in these areas.
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BANKRUPTCY: If you have filed for bankruptcy since your previous application, please download and complete the Bankruptcy Questionnaire and send it to the WTAP Secretary’s office.
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RESIDENCY: Applicant must reside in WEST TEXAS at the time of their upgrade application.
UPGRADE STEP 2: APPLICATION PAPERWORK
Following the review of your educational transcripts, the official credential application and corresponding paperwork will be emailed to you (or mailed upon request). You will bring this completed application, including a photo, notarized release forms, and a copy of your Social Security card to your meeting with your Regional Presbyter. You will also need to pay the initial application/background check fee of $85 (CERTIFIED), $90 (LICENSED), and $95 (Ordained) prior to your meeting with your Regional Presbyter (using the payment portal below).
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Note: If you are applying to upgrade from Certified to Licensed within 18 months of receiving your certified credential certificate, we will waive the background check fee.
UPGRADE STEP 3: UPGRADE PRESBYTER INTERVIEW
UPGRADE STEP 3: UPGRADE PRESBYTER INTERVIEW
You will need to schedule an in-person appointment with your regional presbyter. At the time of the interview, the completed application, including a photo, notarized release forms, and a copy of the applicant’s Social Security card will be given to your Presbyter. The Presbyter will forward a report of the interview along with the submitted material to the WTAP Secretary/Treasurer’s office for processing.
UPGRADE STEP 4: APPLICATION PROCESSING
On receipt of the documentation, the West Texas & Plains District will process the mandatory background check (felony and credit check). Any flagged items on the background check report may require additional written explanation and documentation. Should for any reason the applicant’s credit be frozen, please contact our office prior to submitting an application.
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Reference forms will be sent to the list of references the applicant submits on the application. These references will be sent directly back to the WTAP office and results kept confidential from the applicant.
UPGRADE STEP 5: WRITTEN EXAMS
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Upgrading from Certified to Licensed:
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There is one written exam on AG Polity. After steps 1-6 are completed, the applicant can schedule their exam with their Sectional Presbyter. A study guide for these exams is provided HERE and, once the exam is scheduled, a General Council-issued exam will be sent to the Sectional Presbyter. The applicant is responsible for scheduling the exam appointment with the Presbyter prior to the established deadline (30 days prior to committee interviews).
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Upgrading from Licensed to Ordained:
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There are no written exams for upgrading from licensed to ordained.
UPGRADE STEP 6: COMMITTEE INTERVIEW
The WTAP Secretary/Treasurer’s office will schedule all final credential interviews at a regional location. Interviews are scheduled in the months of January, and September. You should have paid The General Council application fee by this time, use the button below to pay)
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The interview committee typically consists of West Texas & and Plains leadership (Executive and Regional Presbyters, WTAP officers). The applicant’s spouse (if applicable) is expected to attend the interview.
UPGRADE STEP 7: WTAP PRESBYTERY & GENERAL COUNCIL APPROVAL
The West Texas & Plains Executive Presbytery reviews the recommendations of the Interview Committee and forwards their recommendation to General Council for recognition.
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The General Council Credentials Committee reviews the full application and, if approved, grants recognition of the ministry credential.