Continuing Certification

Continuing Your Certified Correctional
Health Professional Status

Certification is valid for one year. All program participants (including CCHP-RNs and CCHP-As) must apply for continuing certification by submitting the recertification form. 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 recertification fee. Documentation of these activities is no longer required. Reexamination is not required. Once recertified, a new certificate is sent indicating continued education.

There are two categories of continuing education activities:

· Category 1: Any continuing education activity specific to correctional health care, including any activity with health-related topics that is conducted within the correctional setting or with topics that address providing health services in a correctional setting. A minimum of six hours from Category 1 is required.
· Category 2: Any continuing education activity that you choose, according to your profession and availability of resources. There is no minimum requirement for Category 2.

Additional requirements:
· CCHP-RN: Completion of at least 18 nursing contact hours, of which six must be specific to correctional health care. See CCHP-RN Recertification Requirements for details about eligible continuing education activities and contact hour equivalencies.
· CCHP-A: Every three years, documentation of participation in at least one correctional health care conference, as well as documentation of completion of an advanced project, such as publishing an article or book, teaching or giving a presentation at a correctional health care conference, receiving a national recognition, or developing a project that has significant impact on the correctional health care field. (Learn about publishing opportunities offered by NCCHC.)

Recertification form »