NCCHC | CCHP Certification

Applying for Certification

Becoming a Certified Correctional Health Professional is the next step in your professional advancement. It is a step toward increased knowledge, greater professional recognition and identification as a leader in this complex and ever-changing field.

FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the CCHP testing protocols.

Test Sites and Proctors Sought

The CCHP program is seeking sites for future exams as well as CCHP volunteers to proctor the exams. If you would like to participate or need more information, e-mail us at cchp@ncchc.org.

Application Brochure

For a hard copy of the information on this page, download the brochure in PDF format.

Eligibility
Elements of the Application
Candidacy
The Examination
Preparing to Take the Exam

Exam Dates and Locations
ADA Compliance
Deferment and Cancellation Policies
Continuing Certification
The Application
Instructions for Submitting Your Application
Steps to Completing the Application Process

Eligibility
Professionals from many different disciplines and work settings have earned the CCHP designation. All correctional health professionals who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Eligibility requirements may be modified or adopted by the CCHP Board of Trustees at its sole discretion. The most current and complete definitions of the eligibility requirements are available at this Web site.
· Credentials that are appropriate to the applicant's field and employment position, and the requirements of the state in which the applicant is licensed. The credentials must be free of any restriction that would limit professional practice solely to the correctional setting. If a license or credential is not required for practice, then the credential is not required for certification.
· Good character and fitness. An applicant's character and fitness is one of the most important components of the application. An applicant's record of conduct should justify the trust of patients, employers, and others.
· Successful completion of the CCHP examination.
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Elements of the Application
· Application form
· Resume or curriculum vitae documenting education and professional experience
· Copies of valid credentials, e.g., license, diploma (see Eligibility above)
· Signed application statement
· Appropriate application fees
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Candidacy
When all elements have been received and the application has been approved, applicants will receive acknowledgment of their candidacy to take the CCHP examination. Incomplete applications will be kept on file for six months, after which time persons seeking certification will need to submit a new application and fees. A candidate must take the exam within one year of the application approval date or the closest date to one year that the next exam is administered.
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The Examination
Persons who meet the basic eligibility and application requirements participate in a proctored, written examination composed of 80 to 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are allowed two hours to complete the examination.

The purpose of the CCHP examination is to measure a candidate’s knowledge, understanding and application of standards and guidelines essential to the delivery of appropriate health care; the basic legal principles for practicing within a correctional health care system; the ethical obligations of correctional health care professionals; and the role of health care professionals in delivering health care in the correctional environment. The examination is not intended to measure clinical competency. Some questions are geared toward specific settings (e.g., jail, prison or juvenile facility); others are more general in nature.

Candidates will receive their examination results in writing. Candidates who fail to receive a passing score may take the exam two additional times within a two-year period from the date of the initial application approval. The reexamination fee is $45.
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Preparing to Take the Examination
The CCHP Board of Trustees has developed a study guide to help candidates prepare for the examination. The study guide will be sent automatically to all applicants. You also may download it here: Study Guide and Candidate Handbook (updated Sept. 2007)

Designed to familiarize you with the content areas covered on the examination, the study guide provides a detailed overview of knowledge areas as well as a list of study points and sample questions. The study guide does not contain the study materials but instead is a resource to help direct your studies. Test your knowledge by answering these sample questions.

The following publications contain the material covered on the examination. We strongly recommend that you study these books to improve examination performance.

· Standards for Health Services in Prisons, 2003
· Standards for Health Services in Jails, 2003
· Standards for Health Services in Juvenile Detention and Confinement Facilities, 2004
· Correctional Health Care: Guidelines for the Management of an Adequate Delivery System, 2001

These study materials may be purchased from NCCHC and are available individually or as discounted reference sets. Although the difference between prison and jail health care delivery is significant, there is much overlap in the jail and prison standards, so you might consider purchasing only one of the two. See the NCCHC catalog or call 773-880-1460. If you do not wish to purchase the books, your employer, colleagues or library may have these resources. Many CCHP candidates study together and share a single set of materials.
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Examination Dates and Locations
Examinations are offered at various dates and locations throughout the year, including NCCHC's annual spring and fall conferences, Updates in Correctional Health Care and the National Conference on Correctional Health Care. The exam also is offered at regional locations across the country where there is a qualified CCHP candidate and a qualified proctor. We will try to make reasonable accommodations for candidates who are farther than a 3-hour driving distance from a test center. Please make your request for a test center near you at least 90 days in advance.

Exam date	Exam site	Application Deadline
May 5	Wisconsin Dells, WI at the Wisconsin Nurses Association's Jail Health Care Conference	April 3
May 18	San Antonio, TX at Updates in Correctional Health Care	April 3
July 13	Las Vegas, NV at Correctional Mental Health Seminar	June 6
August 23	Corcoran, CA Santa Ana, CA Denver, CO Dedham, MA Harrisburg, PA Fort Worth, TX Bowling Green, VA Riverton, WY Other regional sites to be determined *	July 15
September 17	San Diego, CA at the California/Nevada chapter meeting of ACHSA	August 6
October 19	Chicago, IL at the National Conference on Correctional Health Care	September 5
November 5	Hendersonville, NC at the North Carolina chapter meeting of ACHSA	September 24
* Please make your request for a test center near you at least 90 days in advance.

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ADA Compliance
The CCHP program makes every effort to ensure that test centers are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates who require special accommodations must submit a written request at least 90 days before the examination date.
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Deferment and Cancellation Policies
The exam may be deferred up to one year from the date the application is approved. A candidate must request deferment in writing at least 10 business days before the examination date for which he or she originally was scheduled.

To cancel the application, a written cancellation request must be received at least 10 business days before the examination date. The application fee will be refunded less a $65 processing fee.
Deferments and cancellations should be directed to: CCHP Board of Trustees, 1145 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614. Fax 773-880-2424.
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Continuing Certification
Persons who receive a passing score on the examination are awarded certification, which is valid for one year. CCHPs must apply for continuing certification with the Board of Trustees annually. Continuing certification requires participation in 18 hours of continuing education (at least six of which are specific to correctional health care) and payment of the $75 recertification fee. Reexamination is not required. A new certificate that indicates continuing certification will be sent.
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The Application
The easiest way to apply is online. Alternatively, you may print the online application and send it by fax or mail. You also may download the Application Brochure (PDF). To receive the brochure by mail, contact us at cchp@ncchc.org, or call 773-880-1460.

Instructions for Submitting Your Application

1. Complete the application form (online, mail or fax).

2. Read and sign the application statement on the bottom of the form. If you are applying online,
indicate your signature by checking "yes."

3. Submit the following documentation (mail or fax).

Resume or curriculum vitae to document your education (e.g., degrees, major areas of study) and professional experience. At a minimum, list the dates and places of employment, starting with the most recent position, and provide a brief description of each.
Copies of valid credentials (e.g., license, diploma) to support your application and resume. The credentials should be appropriate to your field and employment position, and the requirements of the state in which you are licensed. The credentials also should be free of any restriction that limits your professional practice solely to the correctional setting. If a license or credential is not required for practice, then submission is not required.
The CCHP Board of Trustees may request additional materials to support your application.

4. Make a copy of the application for your records.

5. Send completed application form (if not applying online), documentation and payment to:

CCHP Board of Trustees
P.O. Box 11117
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax 773-880-2424

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Steps to Completing the Application Process

Submit the application
In our experience, some applications are missing required elements. We recommend that you submit your application early to allow adequate time for us to receive all materials by the deadline. Applications must be completed within six months of initial submission.

Written confirmation
As soon as all elements of the application have been received and approved, the applicant becomes a candidate for certification and will receive the following:

Written confirmation that the application has been received
Handbook and study guide
Exam registration form

Register to take the exam
Candidates must submit the exam registration form in order to participate in the CCHP examination. Once the form is submitted, the candidate will be sent an admission notice. The admission notice and a picture ID are required to gain entry to the examination.
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