Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Basic catechist training online; enroll now
Published: July 6, 2026
Click on the red button above to enroll in the catechist program to earn basic certification to teach the Catholic faith in an Arkansas parish or school. To learn more, visit the website or contact Jeff Hines at (501) 664-0340, ext. 388.
Catechist certification is a process for catechists in parishes and schools that ensures that those who teach the Catholic faith have the necessary understanding and knowledge to share the faith with those they teach. In 2023, the Faith Formation Office created a program for adults to become certified online.
The free, 20-lesson program offers video instruction presented by clergy, religious and laity from the Diocese of Little Rock. Complete with a study group and renew annually through learn.dolr.org. The lessons can be completed at any pace or sequence and should take 12 to 15 hours to finish.
Each 20-to-30-minute video comes with questions to be discussed in a study group. Self-study does not count toward certification. To sign up, click on "Go to Catechist Certification," find the "Catechist Certification" tile and click on it to enroll. | Enroll now.
Jeff Hines, director of faith formation, created an instructional video for new users. Watch it here on the diocesan YouTube channel. Also available are videos explaining how the program works and why it was created.
When completed, this program provides basic certification for one academic year to Catholic school teachers, religious education directors, catechists, Christian initiation coordinators and team members, parish and school employees, Bible study leaders, campus ministers, youth leaders or anyone else who serves in a teaching role.
The Faith Formation Office recommends the companion textbook, "An Evangelizing Catechesis: Teaching from Your Encounter with Christ," by Dr. James Pauley (OSV Press, 2020).
New courses are added throughout the year to the website. Once certified, catechists need only to complete any one of the courses available online with a study group prior to July 31 to renew their certification for the upcoming academic year. The program is available in English and Spanish. | Catechist Continuing Education
Also, any adult may participate in this program. Even if they don't teach outside the home, parents and grandparents are welcome to log onto the platform, create an account and watch the videos for their own enrichment and pass what they learned onto their children and grandchildren. Certification is not required. Read Arkansas Catholic to learn more.
