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CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

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CERTIFICATION RENEWAL
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THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION
FOUNDED 1885

BECOMING A CERTIFIED CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN

HOW TO BEGIN THE PROCESS?
  1. By obtaining this pamphlet you have the Requirements for Certification.
    2. You may begin the process near the completion of the required three years as a correctional chaplain. However, you are urged to begin the process at the time that you decide to pursue a career in correctional chaplaincy. A certified correctional chaplain will be assigned as your mentor to insure that you obtained the needed credentials and experience. Upon the documentation of the credentials, you will become an "approved applicant for certification." This can be a valuable document to have in obtaining a correctional chaplaincy position
  2. Send a letter requesting the Application Form or use the application form on this WEB SITE. Return the Form with all written materials and documentation listed under REQUIREMENTS, plus the $10.00 application fee. This fee is non-refundable but will care for your application through setting of the certification interview. Your packet of materials will be in the hands of your mentor who will assist you in providing the required documents and will notify the Chair of Certification when the materials are complete. Those materials will be reviewed by 3 certified members. If they concur, this will be reported to the certification committee and you will be become an "approved applicant for certification."
  3. When all materials are received and in good order, and you have completed 3 years as a professional corectional chaplain, a letter will be sent to you to that effect.
  4. When all fees are paid, a place and time for the candidate to meet with the interview committee will be set. If at all possible your Presenter will be your Mentor or a Presenter will be appointed for the candidate to assist the candidate during the interview meeting.
  5. At the end of the interview, the interview committee will indicate the recommendation which will be sent to the Certification Committee for vote. This recommendation will be for approval or non-approval for Certification, or for InCare Status with recommendations for continuing work toward Certification.
  6. A Certificate will be sent to an approved candidate, and a notification letter to an appropriate authority as requested by the candidate.

WHERE DO I SEND THE MATERIALS AND FEES ?

All materials, fees, and other correspondence regarding, Certification by the ACCA are to be directed to:

Larry Coleman
Chair of the Certification Committee
4237 Kota Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717.657.1238 (Home)
FAX: 717-657-1238 (Call First)
E-Mail:   ChapLarry@verizon.net

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ACCA CERTIFICATION

The aim of certification by the ACCA is to establish and utilize particular standards by which competence in correctional ministry can be recognized.

Correctional chaplaincy is a unique vocation and calling. Persons incarcerated in our jails and prisons deserve a professional correctional chaplain who is familiar with and able to serve effectively in such a multi-cultural and multi-faith setting.

Correctional chaplaincy includes work in correctional administration and within the framework of the various institutions. The work includes pastoral care which creates an atmosphere in which both prisoner and staff feel the ministry of presence provided by the correctional chaplain.

The ACCA encourages all correctional chaplains to continue to grow within their chosen field by meeting the qualifications of a Certified Correctional Chaplain.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION
  1. Membership in the ACCA.
  2. Ecclesiastical endorsement from religious endorsing agency of the candidate’s faith or religious judicatory.
  3. Education:
    Four-year college degree, and Seminary Degree or Degree from Theology School approved by the ACCU or from a similar institution outside the U.S. with parallel academic standing. (Any equivalent consideration will include a minimum of 4 hours in theology and 12 semester units in counseling, psychology, or related field from an above-described institution.)
  4. Clinical Pastoral Education (2 Units, one an approved CPE Unit and a 2nd unit or qpproved equivalent). Questions on equivalency may be directed to the Chair of the Certification Committee.
  5. Three years full-time pastoral experience, plus three years full-time experience in a correctional setting as a salaried chaplain.
  6. Adhere to the ACCA CODE OF ETHICS
  7. Payment of required fees ($10.00 with application and $50 when face-to-face interview is set with the Certification Committee.)
  8. Official copies and/or formal written documentation of the above requirements, 1 through 5.
  9. Four letters of recommendation:
    1. letter of evaluation from CPE supervisor,
    2. letter from immediate supervisor,
    3. letter from two persons of candidate’s choice.
  10. Written paper on the role of chaplain in a correctional setting (350-500) words.
  11. Autobiography addressing personal, professional, and faith development (350-500) words.
  12. Meet in person with an interview committee. This interview will deal with personal, theological and professional competence. Because of limited space, a description of related issues in this area will be sent once the Certification process is begun.

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ACCA CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE

EQUIVALENCIES TO CPE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION

There is a requirement of three (2) units of CPE (1 unit and 1 Unit or equivalent) (3 Units of CPE or equivalent carries a "Diplomat Status"). Alternatives to the standard method of clinical education (CPE) may be achieved through a variety of pastoral training programs/experiences which enable the candidate to achieve the competencies outlined in the requirements for ACCA certification.

Equivalencies to CPE must be approved by the Certification Committee. The candidate shall clearly state the reason for seeking acceptance of equivalency education and why completion of the CPE requirement was not possible. Equivalencies may include the following:

  1. A clinical educational experience for an equivalency unit that:
    1. Shall have completed a minimum of 400 hours, including supervised pastoral ministry and/or clinical practices. Candidate shall clearly define the nature of the ministry and/or clinical practice.
    2. Shall have included individual supervision of pastoral ministry and/or clinical practice.
    3. Shall include didactic sessions on professional functioning and theological reflection.
    4. Shall include interpersonal sharing in a peer group.
    5. Shall include attention to personal, professional identity issues.
    6. Shall include a detailed written evaluation from the candidate and the candidate’s supervisor addressing the above 5 items.
    7. The credentials of the supervisor providing the equivalent experience shall be approved by the Certification Committee.
  2. A doctoral degree or another graduate degree related to pastoral care may meet the criteria for at least one (1) equivalency unit of CPE.
  3. Educational programs which include individual and group supervision, learning objectives, practice of ministry, seminars, written accounts of ministry, integration of theology and the behavioral sciences, interdisciplinary team relationships, and in-depth written evaluations by student and supervisor/instructor may meet the criteria for one (1) equivalency unit of CPE (400 hours). This requirement shall be separate from similar field work or other requirements required for any degree program.

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THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION
BY THE ACCA
AS A CERTIFIED CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAIN

Attach Photograph

2 x 2

DATE:_______________________

 
 

NAME________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________

PHONE (Office)______________________ E Mail Address________________________

               (Home)_______________________________________________

FAITH GROUP (Include Denomination)_______________________________________

IF PRESENTLY EMPLOYED, BY WHOM?____________________________________

WHERE?___________________________________________________

TITLE:_______________________________________________________

DUTIES:______________________________________________________________

 IF NOT EMPLOYED, WHAT IS YOUR STATUS AT THIS TIME?________________________________

 NAME AND ADDRESS OF YOUR FAITH GROUP ENDORSING/DESIGNATING AGENCY FOR CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINCY

               NAME:______________________________________________________

               ADDRESS:______________________________________________________

ARE YOU PRESENTLY ENDORSED? YES_____ NO_____

IF NOT, ARE YOU IN THE PROCESS FOR THIS? YES_____ NO_____

EDUCATION:

College_________________________

Degree_______________________

Year_______

Seminary________________________

Degree_______________________

Year_______

Postgraduate____________________

Degree_______________________

Year_______

CPE ___________________________

Unit 1  _______________________

 Year ______

CPE ___________________________

Unit 2  _______________________

 Year ______

CPE ___________________________

Additional Units ________________

 Years _____

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AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION

CERTIFICATION RENEWAL

Certification is renewed every five years and requires the following qualifications for renewal:

Still employed in the corrections field.

Has attended not less than one National ACCA meeting during the five years.
(Verifications to be made through signed attendance sheet at the meeting).

Annual membership in ACCA maintained.

Documentation of continuing professional training during the previous five-year period.
There is to be a minimum of forty (40) contact hours. Formal training sessions at Regional or National ACCA meeting may be included. (Documentation will mean a copy of the training certificate issued with name of session, date, leader, and number of contact hours. If a certificate is not issued, a letter from an official of the event containing the above mentioned information will be accepted. Fellowship, business or other types of gatherings will not be accepted.)

Payment of the renewal fee of $25.00 for the next five-year period.

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AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION

RECERTIFICATION CHECKLIST

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Name:__________________________________________ Date:______________
Agency Name:___________________________________ Title:_______________________

Agency Address:____________________________________________________________

(Street Address, City, State, Zip Code)

Certificate Mailing Address:___________________________________________________________________

(Street Address, City, State, Zip Code)

Recertification Date (from Certificate):______________________________________________________________

(Month, Year)

NATIONAL ACCA MEETING ATTENDED

Location:__________________________________________ Date:__________________

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IN ACCA MAINTAINED

______ Yes (____________) years ________________No

 CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING ATTENDED

DATE SUBJECT LOCATION HOURS
       
       
       
       
       

During a five-year period a minimum of (40) contact hours must be completed.
Copies of course completing certificates must be attached.

RENEWAL FEE $25.00

Amount Enclosed:$_____________________________
Signature:____________________________________________________________

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AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL CHAPLAINS ASSOCIATION

DOCUMENTATION FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING
NAME:______________________________________ MO/YR OF CERTIFICATION_____________

EVENT:________________________________________________________

NAME OF SESSION:__________________________________________________

DATE:__________________ PLACE:_______________________________

NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS________________________

_______________________________________________________
LEADERS SIGNATURE
NAME:______________________________________ MO/YR OF CERTIFICATION_____________

EVENT:_______________________________________________________

NAME OF SESSION:__________________________________________________

DATE:__________________ PLACE:_______________________________

NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS________________________

_______________________________________________________
LEADERS SIGNATURE

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