If you're exploring a career in sex therapy, sexuality education, counseling, or sexology, you've probably encountered two names: Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) and the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
Both play important roles in professional sexual health education, but they are not the same organization, and their certifications are not interchangeable.
Understanding the difference can help you choose the right training, avoid unnecessary expenses, and build a clear pathway toward your professional goals.
Quick Answer: What Is the Difference Between SHA and AASECT Certification?
SHA certification is a global, international professional credential awarded by Sexual Health Alliance upon successful completion of an eligible SHA certification program. AASECT certification is a separate credential awarded by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists to applicants who meet its education, experience, supervision, and professional eligibility requirements. AASECT certification is only available for those in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Israel.
SHA provides specialized sexual health education and certification programs, including comprehensive training designed to meet and exceed the educational requirements for AASECT certification. Completing an SHA program does not automatically make someone AASECT certified.
Professionals may pursue SHA certification, AASECT certification, or both, depending on their qualifications and career goals.
What Is Sexual Health Alliance Certification?
The Sexual Health Alliance is an international sexual health education organization founded in 2015. SHA provides specialized professional education in human sexuality, relationships, sexual medicine, counseling, therapy, and sexology.
SHA offers several professional certification pathways, including:
Sex Therapy Certification
Couples and Sex Therapy Dual Certification
Sex Educator Certification
Sexuality Counselor Certification
Sex Coach and Sexologist Certification
Sex and Relationship Coach Dual Certification
Specialized training in areas such as couples and sex therapy
SHA's certification programs combine education from experienced professionals, researchers, and clinicians with opportunities for interactive learning, practical application, and professional development.
Depending on the program, students complete self-paced coursework, live training weekends, experiential learning, and a capstone project.
Upon successfully completing the applicable requirements, students receive their SHA certification.
Is SHA Certification Recognized Internationally?
SHA awards its own global professional certifications and welcomes students from around the world. SHA programming is also AASECT and NBCC-approved for those residing in coverage areas for these organizations.
For professionals working internationally, SHA certification can document specialized education and demonstrate a commitment to professional development in sexual health.
However, professional recognition, licensing, and permission to practice depend on the laws and requirements of the country or jurisdiction where someone works.
SHA certification does not replace a government-issued clinical license or automatically authorize someone to practice psychotherapy.
For example, an individual who earns SHA's Sexologist Certification may use that training within an appropriate professional scope, but the credential does not independently qualify them to provide licensed mental health treatment.
Learn more about SHA's professional certification programs.
What Is AASECT Certification?
The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists is a professional organization that establishes certification standards for qualified sexuality professionals.
AASECT offers distinct certifications for:
AASECT Certified Sex Therapists
AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselors
AASECT Certified Sexuality Educators
Each credential has its own requirements involving education, professional experience, supervision, and other eligibility criteria.
AASECT certification is awarded by AASECT, not by the educational organization where an applicant completes their coursework.
This distinction matters because an AASECT-approved education provider and an AASECT-certified professional are two different things. AASECT does not provide a comprehensive certification program and relies on outside organizations like Sexual Health Alliance to provide comprehensive education to those wanting to be certified.
What Does It Mean to Be an AASECT-Approved Education Provider?
SHA is an AASECT-approved continuing education provider.
This means eligible SHA educational offerings can provide education applicable toward AASECT certification requirements, subject to the specific program, content, documentation, and current AASECT policies.
However, being an approved education provider does not mean SHA awards AASECT credentials.
Applicants must independently satisfy AASECT's requirements and submit their application directly to AASECT. Professionals can earn AASECT continuing education credits through Sexual Health Alliance’s comprehensive certification programs, online weekend events, Sexuality Attitude Reassessments, Study Abroad Programs, and SHA’s Annual Sexological Conference.
You can review the official AASECT certification overview for additional information.
SHA vs. AASECT Certification: Side-by-Side Comparison
Understanding how SHA and AASECT certifications differ can help you determine which pathway aligns with your professional goals.
1. Awarding Organization
SHA Certification: Awarded by the Sexual Health Alliance.
AASECT Certification: Awarded by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
2. Certification Options
SHA Certification: Offers professional credentials and certifications in Sex Therapy, Sex Education, Sexuality Counseling, Sex Coaching, Sexology, and specialized areas of sexual health.
AASECT Certification: Offers professional credentials for Sex Therapists, Sexuality Educators, and Sexuality Counselors.
3. Education Requirements
SHA Certification: Requires completion of the educational components of the selected SHA program, including applicable coursework, live training, and experiential learning.
AASECT Certification: Requires documented education that meets AASECT's specific standards for the credential being pursued.
4. Experiential Training
SHA Certification: Includes a Sexuality Attitude Reassessment (SAR) and other experiential learning activities as required by the program. Sexual Health Alliance provides this training as part of the comprehensive certification program.
AASECT Certification: Requires experiential training that meets AASECT's specific certification standards. Outside organizations provide this activity for those wanting to be AASECT certified.
5. Supervision Requirements
SHA Certification: Supervision is available through applicable SHA programs and may be purchased separately. Supervision is not required for SHA certification and is optional.
AASECT Certification: Requires qualifying supervision for credentials where supervision is part of the certification requirements.
6. Professional Eligibility
SHA Certification: Eligibility varies depending on the certification program and professional background. SHA offers certifications that do not require a bachelor’s degree at minimum, such as their sex coach and sexologist certification and sex and relationship coach dual certification.
AASECT Certification: Applicants must meet specific academic, professional, and experience requirements for their chosen credential. All applicants must have a minimum educational prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree for both the sexuality counselor and educator certifications, and a master’s degree and license to practice therapy for the sex therapy certification.
7. Certification Process
SHA Certification: Students earn their SHA credential after successfully completing all applicable program requirements.
AASECT Certification: Applicants must independently submit documentation and receive approval from AASECT.
8. Clinical Licensure
SHA Certification: Does not independently grant a license to practice psychotherapy.
AASECT Certification: Does not replace state or jurisdictional requirements for clinical licensure.
The Key Difference: SHA provides specialized sexual health education and awards its own global professional certifications. AASECT independently evaluates qualified professionals and awards separate professional credentials. SHA's educational programs help students fulfill applicable AASECT requirements, but completing SHA certification does not automatically result in AASECT certification.
The key distinction: SHA provides professional education and awards its own credentials and AASECT certification. AASECT independently evaluates applicants against its certification standards.
Can You Earn Both SHA and AASECT Certification?
Yes. Many professionals pursue specialized education through SHA while working toward AASECT certification.
For someone seeking to become an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, the process generally involves several distinct components.
1. Complete Specialized Sexuality Education
AASECT requires education in human sexuality and sex therapy skills.
SHA's Sex Therapy Certification Program provides a structured educational pathway designed to support these requirements.
Rather than assembling unrelated courses from different providers, students can complete a coordinated program focused on relevant knowledge and professional competencies.
2. Complete a Sexuality Attitude Reassessment (SAR)
A Sexuality Attitude Reassessment, commonly called a SAR, is an experiential educational process designed to help professionals examine their attitudes, assumptions, beliefs, and values related to human sexuality.
SAR training encourages greater self-awareness and reflection about how personal beliefs may influence professional interactions.
SHA includes a live, online SAR experience within its certification programs.
The SAR provided by Sexual Health Alliance is AASECT-approved and meets AASECT’s requirements.
3. Meet Professional Eligibility Requirements
AASECT Sex Therapist Certification requires an advanced clinical degree with psychotherapy training, applicable clinical experience, and appropriate professional credentials.
AASECT's eligibility standards differ for sexuality educators and sexuality counselors.
This is why selecting the appropriate professional pathway matters before enrolling.
Someone interested in providing psychotherapy will have different educational and licensing requirements from someone pursuing a career in sexuality education or coaching.
4. Complete Required Supervision
Supervision is another important distinction between completing the SHA certification program and becoming AASECT certified.
AASECT Sex Therapist Certification requires qualifying supervision with an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, along with documented clinical experience.
Supervision involves discussing clinical work, developing professional judgment, and demonstrating competencies related to sexual concerns.
SHA offers supervision opportunities for eligible students pursuing applicable AASECT pathways.
However, supervision is not automatically included in every SHA tuition option. Supervision can be a financial barrier to some students who want to become certified. SHA certification removes this financial barrier by not requiring supervision in order to become certified.
Students should review supervision availability, eligibility, contracts, and additional costs before selecting a program.
Importantly, AASECT requires qualifying membership throughout the supervision period, and supervision hours must meet its documentation and contractual requirements.
Review the official AASECT Sex Therapist Certification requirements.
5. Apply Separately for AASECT Certification
Once all applicable requirements are satisfied, the professional submits their application and supporting documentation directly to AASECT.
AASECT reviews the application and determines whether the individual qualifies for certification.
Graduating from SHA does not automatically complete this final step. Sexual Health Alliance simplifies this process for students and alumni by providing a comprehensive educational transcript, greatly reducing the time spent on the AASECT application itself.
Do You Need AASECT Certification to Become a Sex Therapist?
Not every professional who provides sex therapy holds AASECT certification. Many sex therapists hold an international SHA certification without the regional AASECT certification. Sex therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy, and professionals must comply with the clinical licensing and scope-of-practice requirements in their jurisdiction.
AASECT certification is an additional professional credential that can demonstrate specialized training and experience. It is not a substitute for a clinical license.
For example, a licensed marriage and family therapist may pursue additional sex therapy education to develop expertise in intimacy, desire, and sexual concerns.
That therapist may then decide whether to pursue AASECT certification based on professional goals, employer expectations, referral networks, and career development plans.
If you're still exploring the profession, SHA's Sex Therapy Certification Program explains the educational pathway in more detail.
What If You Want to Become a Sexologist Instead?
Not everyone interested in sexual health wants to practice psychotherapy.
Sexology is an interdisciplinary field involving the scientific study of human sexuality, sexual behavior, relationships, sexual health, and culture.
Sexologists may work in education, research, coaching, consulting, public health, media, advocacy, or other professional settings.
SHA offers its own global Sex Coach/Sexologist Certification, providing a pathway for professionals interested in developing specialized sexuality knowledge outside the traditional clinical sex therapy route.
This is an important distinction because AASECT does not offer a general Sexologist Certification or Sex Coach equivalent to SHA's global sexology credential.
Professionals should select their training based on the services they intend to provide and the qualifications required for those services.
Explore SHA's certification options to compare available pathways.
Which Certification Pathway Is Right for Your Career?
Before choosing a program, consider three questions.
What Kind of Work Do You Want to Do?
If your goal is to treat sexual concerns through psychotherapy, begin by understanding the education and licensure requirements for clinical practice.
If you're interested in teaching, public education, coaching, research, or media, other certification pathways may better align with your goals.
Do You Already Hold a Professional License or Degree?
Your existing qualifications can influence which certifications are available to you.
For example, a licensed therapist exploring sex therapy specialization may have different requirements from an educator entering the sexual health field.
Are You Seeking Specialized Education, a Professional Credential, or Both?
Some professionals enroll in SHA to deepen their expertise and earn SHA certification.
Others use SHA's education as part of a broader pathway toward AASECT certification.
Understanding the distinction at the beginning can make your professional development more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions About SHA and AASECT Certification
Is SHA certification the same as AASECT certification?
No. SHA and AASECT are separate organizations that award different credentials. SHA certification is earned through an applicable SHA program, while AASECT certification requires a separate application and fulfillment of AASECT's professional standards.
Does SHA certification count toward AASECT certification?
Yes, SHA’s comprehensive certification programs, eligible SHA coursework, and experiential training can be used toward applicable AASECT educational requirements. Students must also meet all additional AASECT requirements, including professional eligibility, supervision, experience, and documentation.
Can I become AASECT certified entirely through SHA?
SHA can provide comprehensive education, experiential training, and supervision options. AASECT independently evaluates applicants, and additional qualifications or experience may be required. SHA graduation alone does not guarantee AASECT certification.
Do I need a master's degree for AASECT certification?
AASECT Sex Therapist Certification requires an advanced clinical degree that includes psychotherapy training. Sexuality Educator and Sexuality Counselor certifications have different academic eligibility requirements. Always consult the current standards for your intended credential.
Does SHA offer its own Sexologist Certification?
Yes. SHA offers a global Sex Coach/Sexologist Certification. This is a SHA credential and is distinct from AASECT's professional certifications.
Is AASECT certification a license to practice therapy?
No. AASECT certification is a professional credential, not a government-issued clinical license. Professionals must independently meet the licensing and scope-of-practice requirements applicable to their work.
Can international students pursue SHA certification?
Yes. SHA welcomes international students and offers online education. International professionals considering AASECT certification should review the organization's requirements for qualifications earned outside the United States and any relevant jurisdiction-specific conditions.
Your Next Steps: Choose the Right Sexual Health Certification
Choosing a professional certification is an investment in your career, and understanding the requirements before enrolling can save time, money, and confusion.
At SHA, we help professionals identify educational pathways that align with their experience, career interests, and long-term goals.
Whether you're pursuing sex therapy, sexuality education, sexuality counseling, coaching, or sexology, our programs combine specialized education with access to experienced instructors and a global professional community.
Ready to explore your options?
Compare SHA's professional certifications or learn more about Sex Therapy Certification.
Your next step in sexual health education begins with choosing the pathway that fits your goals.
Professional credentialing note: Certification standards, professional eligibility, and supervision requirements may change. Applicants should consult the current AASECT requirements and their jurisdiction's licensing rules before making enrollment or credentialing decisions.
