BCCI CERTIFICATION The BCCI certification program is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance and designate professional chaplains who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of chaplaincy care. Chaplains are certified as board certified chaplains or associate certified chaplains according to established national standards, including a code of ethics. The application process for board certified chaplains and associate certified chaplains is described below, followed by links to applications and materials. The application process is conducted year-round. A certification mentoring program is available to all applicants. Candidates who need to apply for a subsequent appearance, must comply with the deadlines noted in the letter they receive following their most recent committee appearance. Process for First-time Applicants The candidate submits an application. The application is reviewed for completeness. The candidate is notified within 30 days whether or not the application is complete and that he/she is eligible for an interview. If the candidate submits an equivalency request with his/her application materials then the application is considered incomplete. The equivalency review time may take up to 180 days. Once the equivalency is granted, the candidate is notified and is eligible for an interview. The candidate is given a list of dates and locations where he or she may be interviewed. (Please see application deadlines for 2011-2013 interviews.) The candidate may choose to be interviewed at the APC annual conference or at any one of several locations where interviews are scheduled. Interviews are held in several geographic areas throughout the year, on a rotating basis. A candidate may prefer to be interviewed as soon as possible and elect to travel (at his/her expense) to complete the interview, or a candidate may opt to wait until interviews are held near his or her home. NOTE: Candidates wishing to schedule certification interviews during the annual conference are advised to submit complete applications as soon as possible, as a limited number of spots are available and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. After the interview, the candidate is notified of the committee’s recommendation. The committee’s recommendation is reviewed by the Commission on Certification and forwarded to the board of directors for ratification. Upon board ratification, the candidate is granted the recommended status by BCCI and receives official documentation by mail. The candidate is invited to receive formal recognition of his or her achievement at the next APC annual conference.   Applications and Forms    Equivalency Forms  Subsequent Appearance Candidates About BCCI [back to top]   Informational webinar recording: From Student to Professional Chaplain: Navigating the Board Certification Process