CPEI Certifications

Certificate in Chaplaincy

  • Completes a minimum of one course of CPE or 400 hours CPE
  • Submission of CPE Certificate of Completion and payment of fees.

Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC)

  • A bachelor’s degree and four courses of Clinical Pastoral Education or
  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 36 graduate hours in theology or a related discipline or equivalent and four courses of Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement
  • Certification Requirements
  • A current and reflective autobiography, which identifies one’s family of origin, significant life turning points, and influences, the nature of one’s faith and religious journey (not to exceed 5 pages double-spaced).
  • One’s preferred pastoral care motif or model and a description as to how one assesses pastoral needs and provides pastoral care to a variety of persons (not to exceed 5 pages double-spaced).
  • Submission of one current verbatim which demonstrates one’s preferred pastoral care motif or model, the ability to assess and appropriately apply one’s pastoral model and motif.
  • A letter of recommendation from a professional colleague attesting candidates’ personal, pastoral, and professional competency in pastoral care.
  • A copy of the final CPE Certificate.
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement

Specialized Certification in Mental Health, Addictions, Hospice-Palliative Care and Trauma

  • Certification as a Board-Certified Associate or Board-Certified Chaplain.
  • Complete the Specialized Certification Application
  • Payment of the required fees
  • Submission of required certificates

Certificate in Supervisory Education – Supervisory Candidate I

  • Completes SEC 600-900 units of Supervisory Education with an approved CPE Training Supervisor in 12-18 months, which includes observation and co-supervision. Exceptions to this timeline must be submitted in writing to the Certification Committee for approval.
  • Board Certified as a Chaplain or during year 1 of Supervisory Education the candidate must become board certified.
  • Enrollment and completion of Moodle Modules 600-900. One per each course of supervisory education and participation in a CPEI Supervisory Connections Group.
  • Completes Model of Pastoral Supervision Application
  • Submission of Pastoral Model of Supervision with in-text citations and references. The Model is not to exceed 30 pages double-spaced and includes:
  • A brief (1-2 page) insightful autobiography which highlights one’s selection, journey, and understanding of self as a CPE Supervisor.
  • Identification and application of a human development theory as it relates to pastoral supervision.
  • Identification and application of theological insights relate to pastoral
  • Submission of a brief (30-minute maximum) video or PowerPoint with Voiceover which provides a personal description of one’s theoretical and theological approach to supervision. Below is an example without voiceover.
  • Evidence of ecclesiastical endorsement.
  • Model of Pastoral Supervision is read and approved by CPEI Supervisors-Educators.

Certificate in Supervisory Education – Supervisory Candidate II

  • Completes Moodle Modules SEC 1000-1004 and course requirements in 6 months following approval of the Pastoral Model of Supervision. Exceptions to this timeline must be submitted in writing to the Certification Committee for approval.
  • Remain in consultation and supervision with one’s Training Supervisor during this period.
  • Completes the Supervisory Candidate II Application
  • Once application has been received an approved the Supervisory Candidate II will receive a link to upload the necessary documents and resources.
  • Once all items have been uploaded, the Co-Chair for Certification will arrange for a face-to-face interview via Zoom.
  • Demonstrates the ability to organize, manage, and supervise a solo course of CPE. This requires identifying, interviewing, and accepting students, creating a syllabus, conducting individual and group supervision and evaluations.  This should be completed within 6 months. An extension must be submitted to the Certification Committee if the time exceeds this time.
  • Submits a 10–15-minute maximum segment of one’s individual and group supervision of the current course.
  • Submits a written narrative for each individual and group video tape. The narratives should not exceed 5 pages double-spaced for each video and include the following:
  • One’s understanding and respect for the cultural dynamics, learning styles, religious history/theology, and psychosocial patterns of development for the students enrolled in the solo course.
  • Perception of one’s strengths and limitations as a supervisor leading the solo course as well as explicit description of one’s pastoral supervision theory and theology in action.
  • A copy of the solo course’s syllabus.
  • A copy of the student and supervisors’ final evaluations of the solo course.
  • Review by the Certification Committee.

CPE Associate Supervisor – Educator

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of at least 36 graduate hours in theology or equivalent.
  • A minimum of four courses of CPE.
  • Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC)
  • Completion of requirements for Supervisory Candidate I and II or reciprocity.
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement.
  • Completes the CPE Supervisor Application 
  • Completes the CPEI Policies and Process Exam.
  • If joining CPEI via Reciprocity as an approved CPE Supervisor approved by another cognate group must complete the Moodle Module RSEC 1000.
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement or approval.

CPE Supervisor – Educator

  • A Master’s degree of at least 72 hours in theology or equivalent.
  • Minimum of four courses of CPE.
  • Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
  • Completion of requirements for Supervisory Candidate I and II or reciprocity. Persons seeking reciprocity must complete the required Moodle modules.
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement.
  • Completes the CPE Supervisor Application 
  • Completes the CPEI Policies and Process Exam.
  • If joining CPEI via Reciprocity as an approved CPE Supervisor approved by another cognate group must complete the Moodle Module RSEC 1000.
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement or approval.
  • Review by the Certification Committee.

CPE Training Supervisor – Educator

  • A Master’s degree of at least 72 hours in theology or equivalent.
  • A minimum of four courses of CPE.
  • Board Certified Chaplain (BCC).
  • Minimum of 2 years of active supervision as an approved CPE Supervision and completion of Moodle Modules TSEC 2000-2004.
  • Adherence to CPEI Code of Ethics
  • Completion of a minimum of 2 years of active supervision as an approved CPE Supervisor and completion of Moodle Modules TSEC 2000-2004. The following requirements must also be met as a minimum during the two-year minimum completion:
    – Maintaining all required items in one’s SharePoint files for students, supervisors, training files, i.e., acceptance letters, consent forms, student evaluations, current resume, course syllabi, etc.
    – Submission of supervisor post-course assessment on time.
    – Submission of post-course assessment on time.
    – Submission of students’ evaluations within the 30-day requirement.
    – Regular participation in a Supervisory Connection Groups.
    – Completion of annual required CEUs.
    – Adherence to CPEI Code of Ethics
  • If joining CPEI via Reciprocity as an approved CPE Supervisor approved by another cognate group must complete the Moodle Module TRSEC 3000.
  • Evidence of Faith Group Endorsement or Approval.
  • Review by the Certification Committee.

Requirements for Chaplains

Chaplains meet the minimum of 1.0- IACET CEUs or 10 Contact Hours per year.

Requirements for Supervisors – Educators

Supervisors/Educators meet the minimum of 1.5 IACET CEUs or (15 Contact Hours Per Year). Supervisors and CPE Training Supervisors meet the minimum of (1.5- IACET CEUs) or (15 contact hours).