Certification and renewal of certification are very important to the NACC and its members. But they are long processes with many steps, and it is natural that questions will arise about the requirements.
“Certification Update” will address some of the most frequently asked questions about the processes, as well as provide new information and clarification as the NACC moves to implement its revised standards.

Questions about Certification? Check the FAQs or send email to Certification@nacc.org

Status of Fall-2008 Certification Applications & Supportive Materials

June 2008 -- At this time we are completing the preliminary review of materials. We ask that you please do not make any hotel/travel reservations until you are notified that you qualify for an interview in October 4-5, 2008.

Fall-2008 Interview Sites

June 2008 -- We have been diligently working to secure interview sites throughout the country to facilitate the certification interviews scheduled for Saturday/Sunday, October 4-5, 2008, for 83-candidates.

For all candidates who submitted a Certification Application with the postmark deadline of February 15, 2008, please email Rose Mary Blanco-Alvarado at rmalvarado@nacc.org to indicate your first and second preference from the following interview sites*:

• St. Louis, MO
• Boston, MA
• Milwaukee, WI
• Orange, CA
• San Diego, CA
• Baltimore, MD - pending
• Portland, OR – pending

*There is a chance that you may not receive your first preference for an interview site. The number of interviews scheduled at any one site will be determined by the number of available interview team members living in, or close to, the interview site.

Delay in Renewal notification is part of the revised process

April 2008 -- Question: I was required to renew my certification during 2007 and submitted my application and material in November. I didn’t receive notification that my certification had been renewed until April, 2008. Why the delay in notification?

Answer: The Certification Commission reviews applications and material for renewal of certification at each of its three yearly meetings -- at the annual conference, mid July, and late October. Applications and material arriving after the October meeting are not acted upon until the next scheduled meeting at the annual conference (e.g. materials that arrived after October 20, 2007 were reviewed at the April 2008 meeting; and materials that are received after October 20, 2008 will be reviewed at the February, 2009 meeting.)

The deadline for receipt of renewal of certification applications remains December 31st of the year you are required to renew - this has not changed. We offer our members a choice for receiving a response based on the initiative of the person submitting renewal materials. The earlier in the year the Certification Commission receives the application materials the sooner we will be able to render a decision.

For those renewing in 2008 there are two more meetings of the Certification Commission in this calendar year -- July 10-13 and October 29-31. Submitting your completed renewal of certification application and material prior to October 20 will ensure notification before the end of the year.

We hope this information assists you in planning your time to prepare your renewal of certification application and material in addition to clarifying the internal timelines associated with the renewal process. For more information on renewal of certification go to www.nacc.org/certification/renewal.asp

Renewal of Certification Application now available on NACC website

January 2008 -- Previously, the application for Renewal of Certification was available only by making a request to the National Office. The application has now been added to the list of documents available for download in the Renewal of Certification section. Click here to go to the Renewal section.

Interview Deadlines, Dates to Change in 2008

July 2007 -- NACC members seeking chaplain certification in 2008 will have only one opportunity to do so.

Completed chaplain certification applications and supportive materials must be sent to the national office and postmarked no later than February 15, 2008 in order to participate in an October 2008 chaplain certification interview.

This schedule change will not affect the previously announced fall certification interviews in 2007. Members who wish to interview in October 2007 may still submit their applications and supportive materials by July 1, 2007.

In 2009 and beyond, we will return to two rounds of chaplain certification interviews each year. Candidates submitting application and supportive materials by February 15 will be scheduled for an October same-year certification interview. Candidates submitting application and supportive materials by September 15 will be scheduled for a certification interview in May of the following year.

Renewal of Certification processing fee

June 2008 -- The Board of Directors of the National Association has approved the establishment of a Renewal of Certification Extension Processing Fee. The fee will be calculated annually at 20% of the Renewal of Certification Fee. This is a policy that will support the level of work generated by requests for extensions at the national office. As the current Renewal of Certification Fee is $135, the Extension Processing Fee that must accompany requests for a one-year extension for Renewal of Certification this year is $27. This fee structure is effective immediately.