Presbyterian theology affirms the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9): every believer has direct access to God through Christ the sole mediator, without need of a human priestly intermediary. Ordination in Presbyterian polity is not a sacrament and does not confer an indelible priestly character; it is the public authorization of qualified persons to exercise specific offices. The Westminster Standards recognize three ordained offices: minister of the Word (teaching elder), ruling elder, and deacon.

Ordination of women is a significant point of internal division in Presbyterianism. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has ordained women as ruling elders since 1930 and as teaching elders (ministers) since 1956. The Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church restrict ordination to men, citing their interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:12 and the creation order. This debate has been a primary driver of denominational divisions within American Presbyterianism, particularly the 1973 founding of the PCA.