CCA Practice Test

The Certified Chaplain Assistant (CCA) exam is taken by applicants for board certification through the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains. This page explains the format, scoring, fee and retake rules from the official source, then offers free practice sets by topic, worked explanations of sample questions, a study plan and answers to common questions.

CCA Exam at a Glance

What changed for CCA in 2026

• Oct 26, 2026: Delivery changed to Online test and video conference interview (previously Online test plus a board interview held by video).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Eligibility changed to High school diploma with some college credit; all other certification requirements met without degree (previously All other certification requirements met, without a degree; high school diploma plus some college credit).^[3]
• Oct 26, 2026: Exam fee changed to $120 (previously $120 application fee (includes the core competency test)).^[2]
• Oct 26, 2026: Number of questions changed to 25 questions (previously 25 questions drawn from a pool of 50).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Registration deadline changed to Within 3 months of application (previously All documentation within 3 months of applying).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Renewal changed to $100 per year (January 1 – December 31) (previously $100 per year (Jan 1–Dec 31) plus 50 hours of continuing education).^[2]
• Oct 26, 2026: Retake policy changed to Up to 3 attempts, then a 30-day waiting period (previously Up to 3 attempts, then a 30-day wait).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Score release changed to Within 20 days (previously Board decision within 20 days of the interview).^[2]

What the CCA is and how it works

According to Association of Certified Christian Chaplains, “The test consists of 25 general chaplaincy questions from a pool of 50 questions.”^[1]

The Association of Certified Christian Chaplains (ACCC) uses an online core competency test as part of board certification. The test consists of 25 general chaplaincy questions drawn from a pool of 50 questions, and a score of 70% is required to pass. The board certification application fee is $120, and that fee includes the testing fee for all certifications.

After the test, applicants complete an interview by video conference. The ACCC says the interview is held weekly at 4 p.m. CST on Microsoft Teams, once your documentation has been verified. Supporting documentation must be fully submitted within 3 months of the application. The board's decision arrives within 20 days of the interview.

For the category that applies to applicants without a higher education degree, the ACCC asks for a high school diploma with some college credit, along with every other certification requirement.

If you do not pass in 3 attempts, you must wait 30 days before testing again. Certification runs by calendar year, with renewal at $100 per year (January 1 to December 31). A $35 late fee applies for each year a certification stays expired, and anyone expired for 3 years must reapply.

The ACCC has not published a topic outline that we could verify, so our sets are practice material rather than a copy of the real test. Check the ACCC website for current requirements before you apply.

Worked examples: how to reason through CCA questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What does a sacred space provide in a chaplaincy environment?

1. A place for medical evaluations
2. A private space for legal counsel
3. A room for storage
4. A respectful area for spiritual use

Answer: D. A respectful area for spiritual use

Explanation:

The correct answer is a respectful area for spiritual use. A sacred space exists so people can pray, reflect or take part in worship in a quiet setting that supports their well-being.

A place for medical evaluations is wrong because clinical work belongs in medical facilities, and it would undermine the calm purpose of the room. A private space for legal counsel is wrong because legal advice is a separate service with its own setting. A room for storage is wrong because a space used for supplies is not set aside for worship or reflection.

The rule to remember: when a question asks what a chaplaincy resource is for, choose the answer that serves spiritual care and respect for belief, not an administrative or unrelated use.

Example 2

Question: The 'Battlemind' program was designed to help Soldiers:

1. Improve physical combat performance
2. Transition mental skills learned in combat back to healthy civilian and garrison behaviors
3. Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
4. Develop leadership skills for promotion

Answer: B. Transition mental skills learned in combat back to healthy civilian and garrison behaviors

Explanation:

The correct answer is that Battlemind helps Soldiers transition mental skills learned in combat back to healthy civilian and garrison behaviors. Skills such as hypervigilance and tight emotional control can protect someone in war but cause friction at home.

Improving physical combat performance is wrong because the program addresses mindset, not physical training. Passing the Army Combat Fitness Test is wrong for the same reason: it is a fitness goal. Developing leadership skills for promotion is wrong because the program is about readjustment and wellness, not career advancement.

The rule to remember: for questions about reintegration and mental health programs, look for the option about helping people adjust after deployment, not performance or promotion.

Example 3

Question: Why is religious accommodation important in a military setting?

1. To enforce uniformity
2. To discourage religious diversity
3. To increase recruitment
4. To respect freedom of religion

Answer: D. To respect freedom of religion

Explanation:

The correct answer is to respect freedom of religion. Accommodation lets service members practise their faith without undue interference, which supports morale, cohesion and trust.

To enforce uniformity is wrong because accommodation deliberately makes room for differences rather than erasing them. To discourage religious diversity is wrong because it is the opposite of the purpose. To increase recruitment is wrong because, even if it were a side effect, the reason for accommodation is the individual's right to freedom of religion.

The rule to remember: when an answer choice pushes sameness, or treats belief as something to limit, it is almost certainly a distractor. Choose the option grounded in respect for each person's right to practise.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official ACCC pages on certification and the frequently asked questions, so you know the format, the fee and the retake rules before you practise. Write down anything you are unsure about and check it against the ACCC site.

Then take the practice set on Start Practice Test to see where you stand. Do not worry about the score at this stage. Use it to find weak topics, and then work through the topic sets that match, such as Ethical Standards & Professional Conduct, Pastoral Care & Counseling Skills and Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention.

After each set, read the explanation for every question, including the ones you got right. Look for the general rule behind the answer, since the real test draws on general chaplaincy knowledge and may word things differently. Retake a set only after a break, so you are recalling the material and not the answer order.

Because the retake policy limits you to 3 attempts before a waiting period, treat the real test as a first-try event. Finish your practice before you open the test link.

Sources & last verified

1. Association of Certified Christian Chaplains — number of questions, retake policy, delivery, registration deadline (official source). “The test consists of 25 general chaplaincy questions from a pool of 50 questions.” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
2. Association of Certified Christian Chaplains — exam fee, passing score, validity, renewal (official source). “-Board Certification Application Fee: $120 (includes testing fee for all certifications)” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
3. Association of Certified Christian Chaplains — eligibility (official source). “To meet this category the applicant is required to complete all the other requirements for certification but is lacking a higher education degree. A high…” Verified Oct 26, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.