Certification FAQs - National Commission on Correctional Health Care
Search
Close this search box.

Certification FAQs

The NCCHC Board of Representatives voted in March 2023 to expand the CCHP-P correctional physician specialty certification program to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants/associates.

While physicians have unique expertise and knowledge, the CCHP-CP will focus on a shared domain of knowledge used in correctional health care. The expansion reflects the increasingly significant role NPs and PAs play, not only in corrections but also in the community, especially in primary care.

The credential is called CCHP-CP for clinical provider. Learn more.

The criteria differ for the five types of certification. In addition, candidates must meet all other eligibility requirements for each program.

CCHP: All professionals working in correctional health, including administrative, mental health and support staff, are eligible to participate in the CCHP program.

CCHP-MH: You must be a qualified mental health professional as defined by NCCHC’s Standards for Mental Health Services in Correctional Facilities (2015), MH-A-02: “psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychiatric nurses, and others who by virtue of their education, credentials, and experience are permitted by law to evaluate and care for the mental health needs of patients.”

CCHP-CP: You must possess an unrestricted license (MD DO, NP, or PA) in at least one state of the United States and be in good standing with that licensing board. For Canada and U.S. territories, credentials are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

CCHP-RN: You must possess a current, active RN license within a U.S. state (for Canada and U.S. territories, credentials are reviewed on a case-by-case basis); the license must not be restricted to practice in correctional settings only.

CCHP-A: All professionals working in correctional health, including administrative, mental health and support staff, are eligible to participate in the CCHP-A program provided they meet the other program requirements.

CCHP basic certification: No work experience requirement

CCHP-MH: Equivalent of three years of full-time practice in a correctional environment

CCHP-CP: Practice in the correctional environment over the course of at least three years (no minimum requirement of hours)

CCHP-RN:

  • Equivalent of two years full-time practice as a registered nurse
  • 2,000 hours of practice in a correctional setting within the last three years
  • 54 hours of continuing education in nursing, with 18 specific to correctional health care, within the last three years

CCHP-A:The Employment section of the application assesses time spent in the health care profession and the portion spent in correctional health care. Professional responsibilities and professional achievements and recognitions are also considered.

For applications submitted online, an email confirmation is sent immediately. Applications sent by mail take 3 to 4 weeks to process. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email on the status of your application and any additional documents needed to complete it. An email attachment will contain the candidate handbook, publication order form and exam registration form.

Complete applications for the five types of certification consist of:

CCHP

  1. Application form (online or paper)
  2. Resume or curriculum vitae documenting education and professional experience
  3. Copies of valid credentials, e.g. license, diploma (see Eligibility section in Applying for CCHP)
  4. Signed application statement
  5. Examination fee of $220 (plus $15 surcharge if application is submitted by mail or fax)
  6. Exam registration form (provided upon receipt of the above)

CCHP-MH / CCHP-CP / CCHP-RN

  1. Application form (online or paper)
  2. Copy of:
    • CCHP-MH: professional licensure or proof of license eligibility, e.g., copy of diploma, if license to practice is not required by law in your state
    • CCHP-CP: professional licensure
    • CCHP-RN: nursing license
  3. Signed application statement
  4. Examination fee of $320 (plus $15 surcharge if application is submitted by mail or fax)
  5. Exam registration form (provided upon receipt of the above)

CCHP-A

  1. Completed application in three-ring binder with appropriate tabs
  2. Application fee of $420 payable when the application is submitted. 
  3. Three letters of recommendation sent directly to the CCHP Board of Trustees
  4. Exam registration form (provided upon receipt and approval of the above)

For basic certification, the same examination is given to everyone. The exam focuses on correctional practice and does not seek to measure clinical competency. Separate exams are used for CCHP-MH, CCHP-CP and CCHP-RN specialty certifications and for Advanced certification.

No. The exam is closed book.

Basic CCHP

  • The exam has 80 to 100 questions
  • At least 65% of the questions must be answered correctly
  • See the CCHP Candidate Handbook for more information and a content outline

CCHP-MH

  • The exam has 80 to 100 questions
  • Passing grades are determined by the CCHP Board of Trustees
  • See the CCHP-MH Candidate Handbook for more information and a content outline

CCHP-P

  • The exam has 70 to 100 questions
  • Passing grades are determined by the CCHP Board of Trustees
  • See the CCHP-CP Candidate Handbook for more information and a content outline

CCHP-RN certification

  • The exam has 70 to 100 questions
  • Passing grades are determined by the CCHP Board of Trustees
  • See the CCHP-RN Candidate Handbook for more information and a content outline

CCHP-A certification

  • The exam consists of eight essay questions
  • At least 70% of the questions must be answered correctly
  • Passing grades are determined by the CCHP Board of Trustees
  • See the CCHP-A brochure for more information

Fees shown below are for applications submitted online; except for CCHP-A, a $15 service fee is charged for applications submitted by mail or fax.

ExamExam Fee
CCHP$220
CCHP-MH$320
CCHP-P$320
CCHP-RN$320
CCHP-A$420

If you opt to take the exam at a computer-based test center or online, Prometric charge an additional $50 exam registration fee.

Veterans may be eligible for reimbursement of the exam fee by the Veterans Administration. Learn more »

The handbook will be sent by email once your application has been received. You also may download the handbook (or brochure for CCHP-A certification) from Study Materials page of the website for each CCHP program.

No. You must register with either NCCHC or Prometric, following the instructions sent to you by email. You will receive a direct email from Prometric explaining the test center and online options. Once registered, you will receive confirmation from NCCHC or Prometric.

You will receive the test results with 2 weeks.

A list of new CCHPs (those who passed the exam) is posted in the news section of our website. No reference is made to candidates who have deferred taking the exam or did not attain a passing score.

If certified, you will receive a press release for submission to your employer, facility newsletter and local news media.

With adequate preparation and studying, most candidates pass the examination. Those who don’t may take it two additional times within a one year from the date of initial application approval (a retesting fee applies). Most examinees who retest are better prepared and pass on their second try.

We encourage you to try again. Unsuccessful candidates may take the exam two additional times within one year from the date of initial application approval. All you need to do is submit a $45 retesting fee along with another exam registration form by the registration deadline.

Simply log on to your myNCCHC account to update your personal information, including mailing address, email, professional credentials and more. This also is important for CCHP correspondence and recertification, processing continuing education credit from NCCHC conferences, conference registration and much more. To update (or create) your account, go to http://my.ncchc.org.

To download your certificate, log in to your account:

  • Select “My CCHP Certification”
  • Select “Details” under CCHP
  • Choose “Print Certificate”