Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)

Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) Requirements:

Education Requirements:

  • A graduate theological degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
  • Four courses/units of clinical pastoral education (CPE)


Certification Requirements:

  • Submit your pastoral care model that addresses the competencies (CC: 1.0-CC 3.1) listed below, providing appropriate examples (limit your pastoral care model to no more than 10 pages, double-spaced).
         CC:1.1-Articulate the ability to provide meaningful pastoral care to others in crisis and describe one’s feelings, attitudes, values, and assumptions.
         CC:1.2-Demonstrate an awareness of one’s faith development and its integration into one’s theory of pastoral care.
         CC:1.3-Identify potential ethical issues in the practice of ministry and the role of an advocate for clients/patients, families, and staff.
         CC:1.4-Discuss one’s self-care plan for spiritual, emotional, and physical well- being.
         CC:2.0-Articulate a clear pastoral care theory that describes one’s pastoral care approach in addressing spiritual and human development issues.
         CC:2.1-Demonstrate the ability to center oneself and confidently engage individuals while setting aside personal and religious agendas and utilizing one’s professional authority as appropriate.
         CC:2.2-Discuss the ability to conduct a spiritual/pastoral assessment and develop an appropriate pastoral intervention.
         CC:2.3-Articulate the ability to consult, collaborate, and communicate with healthcare and other professionals.
         CC:2.4-Describe one’s ability to establish a meaningful pastoral relationship with persons from diverse cultural and theological backgrounds.
         CC:3.0-Demonstrate the ability to assess systemic principles and/or group dynamics in relating to and providing pastoral care.
         CC:3.1-Communicate the ability to identify human development and spiritual issues while providing meaningful spiritual care to others, which contributes to the well-being of others. This could include but is not limited to psychological or emotional issues such as grief and loss, domestic violence, and anger.
         CC:4.0- Demonstrate oral and written communication competency, reflecting graduate-level work. Use of APA, Turabian, or a similar format.
         CC:5.0-Present in a manner that reflects professional behavior, including appropriate attire and a confidential setting for the review.
  • Submit a current and reflective autobiography that identifies one’s family of origin, significant life turning point and influences, the nature of one’s faith and religious journey.
  • Provide a current verbatim.
  • Provide a letter of recommendation from a professional colleague attesting to your personal and professional competency as a pastoral care clinician.
  • Include the final course/unit CPE Evaluations (student and supervisor-educator).
  • Submit evidence of Faith Group Endorsement.
  • Meet the educational hours for the certification you are pursuing. If not, feel free to complete the Educational Equivalency Form


Application: