Aspirant

• 1). Print the application for ministry cover sheet from the APA website. The Web address is listed in the resources section. This cover sheet provides a checklist for all the necessary steps for ordination: aspirant, postulant and priesthood.
  
  
• 2). Discuss with a parish priest the realities of priesthood and life as a priest. Gather all the facts and form an accurate portrait of a priest's lifestyle to determine if it is the correct path for your life.
  
  
• 3). Undergo physical and mental health examinations with doctors to prove you are in peak physical and mental condition. Also undergo psychological testing with a trained psychologist. Submit all paperwork to the diocesan offices.
  
  
• 4). Submit a written endorsement from the Rector/Vicar and Vestry/Mission Committee, as well as a Canonical Letter with the application for ministry, to the diocesan offices. Upon receipt, the diocesan offices will complete a thorough background check.
  
  
• 5). Interview with both the Bishop's Advisory Committee and the Bishop Ordinary. If everyone signs off on the application, your name will be added to the Book of Postulants.
  
  

Postulant/Candidate

• 1). Compose postulancy essays and submit them to the Board of Examining Chaplains. The board will assign the topics.
  
  
• 2). Interview with the Examining Chaplains before applying to the seminary. If the Chaplains approve, apply to seminary. The Examining Chaplains and other members of the APA will help you with the application process and finding seminaries recognized by the APA.
  
  
• 3). Complete a seminary study program of at least one year.
  
  
• 4). Submit Ember Letters to the Bishop Ordinary. Get written endorsements for ordination from a Presbyter of the APA and from the Rector/Vicar and Vestry/Mission Committee. Submit everything to the diocesan offices.
  
  
• 5). Complete the Canonical Examination, which includes interviews with the Standing Committee and the Bishop Ordinary. If everyone approves, you will be ordained as a deacon.
  
  

Priesthood

• 1). Serve at least one year as a deacon in an APA church.
  
  
• 2). Get written endorsements from the Rector/Vicar and Vestry/Mission Committee for ordination as a priest, and submit these to the diocesan offices.
  
  
• 3). Interview a second time with both the Standing Committee and the Bishop Ordinary. If everyone signs off, you will be officially ordained into the APA priesthood.