Application Forms, & Instructions

Congratulations on your decision to apply for board certified chaplain or associate certified chaplain status through the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. Please review all of the information below before completing the application.

Important Information for BCCI Applicants

• All applications must be completed in the online portal and must follow the online application instructions. The previous paper application instructions are no longer applicable.
• Qualifications/requirements includes definitions of board certified chaplain and associate certified chaplain
• Professional Competency Courses 
• Competencies applicants must demonstrate, with writing guide
• NEW – Changes to Competency Verbiage 2-2024 (PDF)
• NEW – Competency Rubric 2-2024 (PDF)
• Equivalency forms
• APC Code of Ethics
• Common Code of Ethics developed by the Council on Collaboration
• Guidelines for the Chaplain’s Role in Health Care Ethics

Process for first-time applicants

• The candidate submits an application through the online portal.
• 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 our upcoming application deadlines for interviews. The candidate may choose to be interviewed at the APC annual conference or through one of two virtual interview periods each year.
  • 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.
• Once certified by BCCI, chaplains must fulfill annual and quinquennial maintenance of certification requirements to retain their credential.

Mentor Program

A certification mentoring program is available to all applicants.

Please Note: BCCI certification does not include membership in the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Chaplains who join APC before submitting their BCCI application receive a discount on their application fees. This is just one of the many benefits APC membership offers.