CPEI Credentialing
Find answers to common questions about CPEI credentialing, including eligibility, applications, professional endorsement, credentialing reviews, fees, reciprocity and maintaining your credentials.
Credentialing Resources
Getting Started
CPEI credentialing is a professional review process through which qualified candidates demonstrate that they meet established educational, professional, competency and ethical standards for the credential they are seeking.
Credentialing is intended to demonstrate professional standards, enhance professional credibility and communicate commitment to an enforceable Code of Ethics.
CPEI’s primary professional credentialing pathways are:
The Credentialing Manual also contains information concerning reciprocity and Supervisor-Educator Emeritus status.
Professional credentialing provides a structured way to demonstrate that you have met established standards for preparation, competency and ethical practice.
CPEI identifies professional credibility, personal accomplishment and commitment to an enforceable Code of Ethics among the purposes of credentialing.
No. Completion of CPEI education does not automatically result in professional credentialing.
Candidates must independently meet the applicable educational, professional, endorsement, documentation and competency requirements and successfully complete the credentialing-review process.
Chaplain Credentials
The primary educational distinction is the degree requirement.
Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC) requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and four courses or units of Clinical Pastoral Education totaling 1,600 hours.
Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) requires a 72-hour graduate theological degree or equivalent and four courses or units of Clinical Pastoral Education totaling 1,600 hours.
Both pathways include additional application, endorsement, documentation and competency requirements.
A Board Certified Associate Chaplain candidate must have:
Candidates must also meet the complete professional, documentation, endorsement and competency requirements described in the current Credentialing Manual.
A Board Certified Chaplain candidate must have:
The Credentialing Manual also identifies requirements concerning education, endorsement, professional documentation and demonstrated competencies.
Yes. The Credentialing Manual provides for consideration of educational equivalencies.
Candidates seeking an equivalency should contact the Credentialing Committee at credentialing@cpei.edu for instructions before applying.
Yes. Chaplain credentialing applicants must provide a letter of ecclesiastical or religious agency endorsement.
An endorsement is different from a professional recommendation letter. It is a formal statement from a designated endorsing or approving organization affirming that the individual is in good standing and accountable to their denomination or faith-group endorser.
CPEI may consider other endorsing agencies. Contact the Credentialing Committee if your organization is not represented on the referenced list.
Candidates should be aware that an endorsing organization considered for CPEI credentialing may not necessarily be accepted by a particular employer or other professional organization.
The current Credentialing Manual requires background checks for chaplain credentialing candidates who have not completed previous CPEI training.
Candidates should review the current Manual and credentialing application for instructions before obtaining a background check.
Application
Requirements vary by credential, but BCAC and BCC application materials include items such as:
This is only a summary. Candidates should use the current Credentialing Manual and application as the complete requirements list.
Begin by reviewing the Credentialing Manual and confirming the requirements for the credential you are seeking.
Then complete the applicable credentialing application and submit the required materials according to the instructions for that pathway.
The current Credentialing Manual lists a $249 application fee for Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC), Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) and Supervisor-Educator (SE) applications.
Candidates pursuing another credentialing or reciprocity pathway should review the applicable application or contact CPEI Credentialing for current fee information.
The current Credentialing Manual identifies three application and interview cycles:
Candidates should review current credentialing information before applying in case scheduling information has changed.
The timeline depends on the credentialing cycle, the completeness of the application and whether additional materials or revisions are needed.
Candidates should begin preparing well before the applicable application deadline.
No. CPEI specifically states that applicants should not assume credentialing is automatic.
Candidates must demonstrate that they meet the requirements and competencies established for the credential being sought.
Credentialing Review
The specific approval process depends on the credentialing pathway. In general, submitted materials are reviewed before the candidate participates in the applicable credentialing interview.
Reviewers evaluate written materials against the competencies and standards established for the credential being sought.
Credentialing interviews are conducted by video. Panel members review the candidate’s written materials before the meeting and use the interview to assess the candidate’s demonstrated competencies and professional integration.
Credentialing reviewers are credentialed at or above the level of the person being reviewed.
A typical review process includes a reviewer and three panel interviewers.
To avoid conflicts of interest, past CPE Supervisor-Educators, Training Supervisor-Educators and CPE or SEC peers do not sit on a candidate’s review board.
Candidates are evaluated through competency-based assessment using both submitted materials and the credentialing interview.
The applicable Credentialing Manual sections and assessment rubrics describe the competencies and standards used for each credential.
Chaplain competencies address areas that include:
Candidates who have additional work to complete may be required to strengthen specified materials or meet other requirements before presenting for another credentialing review.
The Credentialing Manual describes repeat-review procedures and establishes a maximum of three reviews before a certification committee.
Educator Credentials
Supervisor-Educator (SE) is CPEI’s professional credential for qualified individuals who meet the education, chaplain credentialing, supervisory preparation and competency requirements established for CPE supervision.
The current Credentialing Manual identifies Supervisor-Educator educational requirements that include:
Additional application, endorsement, documentation and competency requirements also apply.
Training Supervisor-Educator (TSE) is an advanced credential for experienced Supervisor-Educators who meet additional requirements associated with preparing and mentoring supervisory candidates.
The current Credentialing Manual requires a Training Supervisor-Educator applicant to:
Existing Credentials
Yes. The Credentialing Manual includes reciprocity pathways for qualified Board Certified Associate Chaplains, Board Certified Chaplains, Supervisor-Educators and Training Supervisor-Educators who hold applicable credentials through another professional organization.
Reciprocity is not automatic. Candidates must meet the requirements established for the applicable CPEI reciprocity pathway.
No. Prior professional credentialing may make you eligible to pursue a reciprocity pathway, but CPEI still requires documentation and review according to the applicable reciprocity requirements.
Review the current Credentialing Manual or contact the Credentialing Committee before applying.
After Credentialing
Yes. CPEI credentials have continuing professional requirements.
These include applicable continuing education, annual dues, professional ethics, religious endorsement and other requirements associated with the credential held.
Credentialed chaplains must complete a minimum of 1.0 IACET CEU or 10 contact hours per year.
Supervisor-Educators and Training Supervisor-Educators must complete a minimum of 1.5 IACET CEUs or 15 contact hours per year.
Yes. CPEI credentialed members are required to participate in at least one credentialing review annually.
This provides peer support for the credentialing process while helping credentialed members remain engaged with CPEI competencies and professional standards.
Yes. In addition to the continuing-education and annual-dues requirements, Supervisor-Educators and Training Supervisor-Educators have Staff and Faculty meeting participation requirements.
The current Credentialing Manual identifies the following as grounds for removal of certification:
Contact the Credentialing Committee if you have questions about the status of your credential.
Yes. The Credentialing Manual provides a Credentialing/Certification Appeals Process for individuals seeking to appeal a decision of the Certification Committee.
Consult the current Credentialing Manual or contact CPEI Credentialing for current appeal instructions.
Still Have Questions?
Your requirements may depend on your education, CPE history, professional credentials, religious endorsement and the credential or reciprocity pathway you are pursuing.
Review the current Credentialing Manual before applying. If you are uncertain about eligibility, educational equivalency, endorsement or reciprocity, contact the CPEI Credentialing Committee.
Take the Next Step
Review the Credentialing Manual, confirm your pathway and requirements, and prepare the appropriate application materials.