Become a Board Certified Chaplain

ACCSA leads the Chaplaincy Profession with the only certification standards backed by knowledge testing and competency examination.


Currently, more than a dozen chaplaincy groups within S.A. offer varying education/training, however, no other organization that trains and certifies chaplains can demonstrate the use of a standardized, evidence-based curriculum nor the scoring of knowledge and competency tests. This is but one of the ACCSA`s key success factors and represent a higher bar than any other chaplain certification process.


Our standardized knowledge test and standardized exam:

 

- Brings to the chaplaincy profession the same rigor in education, training and testing demanded by care disciplines.

- Establishes the framework for an ongoing process of implementation, research and quality improvement.


Certified Chaplain Assistant (CCA), Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC), Pastoral Counsellor (BCPC), Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) or becoming an Advanced Board Certified Chaplain (ABCC), with the Association of Certified Chaplains in South Africa indicates your dedication to the highest professional standards and ethics. ACCSA certified professionals have demonstrated their devotion to continuing professional development and a devotion to the spiritual health of those they care for.   


ACCSA also accepts reciprocation of those certified under other organizations for certification with ACCSA.   


See below for the requirements. To get started, see below.   


Advanced Board Certified Chaplain (ABCC) 

For Chaplains who have demonstrated advanced skills in the provision of and leadership in spiritual and chaplaincy care by successfully completing a standardized test of core knowledge derived from evidence-based quality indicators for spiritual care as well as a simulated patient exam that evaluates competency in direct patient care. Advanced Board-Certified Chaplains (ABCC) have been trained and tested in standardized curriculum based on the latest evidence in areas including department management, the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of spiritual distress, cultural competency, advance care directives, patient clinical care, staff support, grief and bereavement among other essential topics.     


Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) 

The Chaplain is a professional that is employed in outside industry such as medical care, prisons, commerce, etc. They serve the employees and/or patients of these organizations.   


Board Certified Pastoral Caregiver (BCPC) 

The Pastoral Caregiver is primarily a Congregational Pastor. Their primary area of responsibility is the local church.   


Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC) 

The Associate category is for those seeking professional chaplaincy certification but do not yet meet the other requirements for that status.   


Certified Chaplain Assistant (CCA) 

The Chaplain’s Assistant category is for those lacking the higher education component of full certification. To meet this category the applicant is required to complete all the other requirements for certification but is lacking a higher education degree. A high school diploma with some college credit is required.


Certification Requirements and Fees

Fast track certifications

Today as never before, we should be ready to serve our God at any time, anywhere and under any situation. The Bible tells us FIRST OF ALL seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Is it righteous. 

Leaving the needy without help, the naked unclothed, the sick, beaten and less fortunate people without help? Of course NOT!- That is why I want to officially invite you to be one of our Certified Christian Chaplains, who are here to help those who represent Jesus, here on the earth. 

You may be pre-approve immediately! - If you have been a Christian Pastor, a Minister or a Christian Leader for 3 or more years, and have the passion to serve YOU WILL BE PRE APPROVED!!! YOU ARE ALREADY DOING THE WORK OF A CHAPLAIN If you visit hospitals, prisons, rehabilitation centers, perform funerals, visit the needed, give christian counseling, etc. And if you are a Chaplain, why not be “Certified”. Our program is made simple and easy for fellow Christian Pastors and Leaders whose hearts are for the needed.  

If you are a servant of God, have a genuine calling, and you are serving in your community YOU ARE PRE QUALIFIED TO BE AND CERTIFIED AS A CHAPLAIN. 
NUWE Criteria

Maintenance of Certification

All certified chaplains must meet maintenance of certification requirements to retain their certification with ACCSA. These requirements include payment of annual maintenance of certification fees.

Payment of annual maintenance of certification fees.

Certification requirements are:

- Submission of an annual continuing education report.

- Adherence to the code of ethics.

- Completion of a peer review every five years.

- Provide evidence of continued connection with your faith group every five years, as part of the peer review process  

Maintenance of certification fee invoices are mailed 30 days prior to renewal of membership. 

Membership commence on the date that registration was completed, and end on the last day of the 12th month.

Effective January 1, 2024 the ACCSA maintenance of certification fees are as follows:


Advanced Board Certified Chaplain (ABCC)     - R850.00

Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)                            - R750.00
Board Certified Pastoral Caregiver (BCPC)        - R650.00  

Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC)      - R650.00

Certified Chaplain Assistant (CCA)                      - R600.00

Benefits

- Personalized I.D Card          

- Annual conference (at discounted rates). 
- Continued Studies at discounted fees 
- Connect nationally through key networking opportunities at conferences, leaders' forums and training events. 
- Receive regular e-communications from key leaders from your region.
- Connect locally with Chaplains for worship, teaching and ministry in your local area. 
- Be part of a Core Group for mutual support and accountability. 
- Have free access to our online members' resource area, with downloadable talks, articles and much more. 

- If you are a Chaplain in training, then there are also specific things available for you too. 
- Teaching and equipping days – these can be on a wide variety of subjects. 
- Stimulating faith-sharing visits. We do this because we have found that if chaplains commit themselves to 'giving away' what              the Lord gives to them, they experience yet further blessing from him.

Peer Review

Submission of a peer review, which includes providing evidence of continued connection with your faith community, is required every five years for maintenance of certification. The year you are required to complete a peer review (including providing evidence of continued connection with your faith community) is based on the year you became a board-certified chaplain or an associate certified chaplain. If you were first provisional certified, the requirement is based on the date of provisional certification. 


All members to whom this requirement applies in a given year will be notified in January of that year as to the exact requirements and submission deadlines.