Professional Competencies
In an effort to align with the common standards of other professional chaplaincy organizations, the NACMC adheres to the Common Standards for Certification to help ensure a consistently high standard for professional certification. These standards are set below:
Qualifications for Board and Associate Certification
Provide documentation of current endorsement or of good standing in accordance with the requirements of his/her own faith/spiritual tradition.
Be current in the payment of the annual fees as designated by the NACMC.
Have completed an undergraduate degree from a college, university, or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the CHEA. Equivalencies for the undergraduate and/or graduate-level theological degree will be granted by the individual professional organizations according to their own established guidelines.
Provide documentation of a minimum of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) accredited or approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Section I: Integration of Theory and Practice Competencies
ITP1 – Articulate an approach to spiritual care, rooted in one’s faith/spiritual tradition that is integrated with a theory of professional practice.
ITP2 – Incorporate a working knowledge of psychological and sociological disciplines and religious beliefs and practices in the provision of spiritual care.
ITP3 – Incorporate the spiritual and emotional dimensions of human development into one’s practice of care.
ITP4 – Incorporate a working knowledge of different ethical theories appropriate to one’s professional context.
ITP5 – Articulate a conceptual understanding of group dynamics and organizational behavior.
ITP6 – Articulate how primary research and research literature inform the profession of chaplaincy and one’s spiritual care practice.
Section II: Professional Identity and Conduct Competencies
PIC1 – Be self-reflective, including identifying one’s professional strengths and limitations in the provision of care.
PIC2 – Articulate ways in which one’s feelings, attitudes, values, and assumptions affect professional practice.
PIC3 – Attend to one’s own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
PIC4 – Function in a manner that respects the physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual boundaries of others.
PIC5 – Use one’s professional authority as a spiritual care provider appropriately.
PIC6 – Advocate for the persons in one’s care.
PIC7 – Function within the Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Clinical Pastoral Educators, and Students.
PIC8 – Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
PIC9 – Present oneself in a manner that reflects professional behavior, including appropriate attire, and grooming.
Section III: Professional Practice Skills Competencies
PPS1 – Establish, deepen and conclude professional spiritual care relationships with sensitivity, openness, and respect.
PPS2 – Provide effective spiritual support that contributes to well-being of the care recipients, their families, and staff.
PPS3 – Provide spiritual care that respects diversity and differences including, but not limited to culture, gender, sexual orientation and spiritual/religious practices.
PPS4 – Triage and manage crises in the practice of spiritual care.
PPS5 – Provide spiritual care to persons experiencing loss and grief.
PPS6 – Provide religious/spiritual resources appropriate to the care recipients, families, and staff.
PPS7 – Develop, coordinate, and facilitate public worship/spiritual practices appropriate to diverse settings and needs.
PPS8 – Facilitate theological/spiritual reflection for those in one’s care practice.
PPS9 – Facilitate group processes, such as family meetings, post trauma, staff debriefing, and support groups.
PPS10 – Formulate and utilize spiritual assessments, interventions, outcomes, and care plans in order to contribute effectively to the well-being of the person receiving care.
PPS11 – Document one’s spiritual care effectively in the appropriate records. Section
Section IV: Organizational Leadership Competencies
OL1 – Promote the integration of spiritual care into the life and service of the institution in which one functions.
OL2 – Establish and maintain professional and interdisciplinary relationships.
OL3 – Understand and function within the institutional culture and systems, including utilizing business principles and practices appropriate to one’s role in the organization.
OL4 – Promote, facilitate, and support ethical decision-making in one’s workplace.
OL5 – Foster a collaborative relationship with community clergy and faith group leaders.
Requirements for the Maintenance of Board Certification
In order to maintain status as a Certified Chaplain, the chaplain must:
Participate in a peer review process every fifth year.
Document fifty (50) hours of annual continuing education as designated by the NACMC.
Provide documentation every fifth year of current endorsement or of good standing in accordance with the requirements of his/her own spiritual/faith tradition.
Be current in the payment of the annual fees as designated by the NACMC.
Adhere to the Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Clinical Pastoral Educators, and Students.