What Does Certification by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains Mean?

• Documented evidence of an undergraduate degree granted or acknowledged by an accredited academic institution.
• Documented evidence of a Master’s degree in theology, divinity, religious studies, pastoral ministry, or spirituality granted or acknowledged by an accredited academic institution.
• Completion of four units of clinical pastoral education from a program accredited by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation, the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, or the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education.
• Maintenance of high standards of professional competence and moral and ethical conduct.
• Demonstration of personal, professional, and Roman Catholic theological competencies.
• Ecclesiastical endorsement.
• Submission of extensive written materials for review.
• Interview with a three-member team of certified professional chaplains and/or clinical pastoral education supervisors.
• Review of interview team recommendations and vote by the National Certification Commission.
• Renewal of certification every five years for professional chaplains and every seven years for clinical pastoral educators.