If you meet all of the prerequisites for certification, you may download your documents here.
PREREQUISITES NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR VA INITIAL CERTIFICATION
- Be employed by a Veterans Affairs facility (full time, part time, fee basis or contract basis) as a chaplain.
- The NACC National Office requests a current letter of ecclesiastical endorsement (Qualification 801.QUA1). Current is defined as within one year of application for certification. The NACC will complete the endorsement request on the Applicant’s behalf. Ecclesiastical endorsement is formal approval for ministry by the
Archdiocese of the Military. - Have a completed graduate-level Theological Degree in theology, divinity, religious studies, pastoral ministry, pastoral studies, or spirituality from an accredited academic institution. For degrees in other related disciplines, please contact the Administrative Specialist, Certification at the National Office to confirm your degree meets the requirements of the NACC Standards, prior to entering the Certification Application process. The Certification Commission requires transcript analysis at the applicant’s expense for all degrees acquired outside the United States. Transcripts and analyses are to be sent directly from the institution(s) to the NACC and must be postmarked by the September 15 or February 15 postmark deadline for certification applications.
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a college, university, or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org).
- Have completed a minimum of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Commission on Certification and Accreditation (USCCB/CCA), or the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS).
- Successful completion of VIRTUS or similar training. (Qualification 801.QUA6).
- Adherence to the Code of Ethics for Spiritual Care Professionals and knowledge
of the requirements of that Code (Code of Ethics 100). - Be a Full Member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). In order to receive a Certification Application, you must have completed a Full Membership application and be current on your payment of annual Full Membership fees of $325. For a membership application, please click this link www.nacc.org/membership/apply-for-membership. For further inquiries regarding membership, please contact our Membership Specialist, Kathy Shine, at kshine@nacc.org
If you meet all of the prerequisites for certification, you may download your documents here.
You are strongly encouraged to contact the Certification Specialist by email at certification@nacc.org or by phone at (414) 483-4898 for additional information and with any questions you may have.
