NACC Certification and Professional Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The NACC peer review process during certification interviews primarily evaluates a candidate's:
- Theological knowledge only
- Clinical pastoral competency across all NACC domains (Correct answer)
- Length of chaplaincy service
- Hospital administrative skills
Correct answer: Clinical pastoral competency across all NACC domains
Peer reviewers assess candidates holistically across NACC's defined competency domains, not just theological knowledge or years of service.
Question 2: Which NACC document outlines the competencies required for board certification?
- The Ethical and Religious Directives
- The NACC Certification Standards (Correct answer)
- The Apostolic Exhortation on Ministry
- The Joint Commission Chaplaincy Guidelines
Correct answer: The NACC Certification Standards
The NACC Certification Standards document defines the competencies, requirements, and process for obtaining board certification.
Question 3: Continuing education activities for NACC recertification may include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Attending NACC national conferences
- Publishing peer-reviewed pastoral care articles
- Completing additional CPE units
- Watching unrelated entertainment media for personal enrichment (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Watching unrelated entertainment media for personal enrichment
Continuing education must be professionally relevant; personal entertainment unrelated to chaplaincy does not qualify for CE credit.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the NACC's mentor program for chaplaincy candidates?
- To replace the CPE requirement
- To provide guidance and support during the certification preparation process (Correct answer)
- To assign a bishop as spiritual director
- To guarantee passing the certification interview
Correct answer: To provide guidance and support during the certification preparation process
The mentor program pairs candidates with experienced board certified chaplains to guide them through certification preparation.
Question 5: A chaplain's NACC certification lapses if they fail to renew by the deadline. To reinstate, they typically must:
- Simply pay a late fee with no other requirements
- Meet current certification requirements as if applying anew (Correct answer)
- Write a letter of appeal to the bishop
- Complete one additional CPE unit
Correct answer: Meet current certification requirements as if applying anew
Lapsed certification generally requires the chaplain to meet current standards for initial certification to be reinstated.
Question 6: NACC certification is best described as a form of:
- State licensure required by law
- Voluntary professional credentialing within Catholic chaplaincy (Correct answer)
- Federal government authorization to practice chaplaincy
- Hospital employment verification
Correct answer: Voluntary professional credentialing within Catholic chaplaincy
NACC certification is a voluntary professional credential specific to Catholic chaplaincy, not a legal license mandated by government.
Question 7: Which of the following best reflects the NACC's stance on interdisciplinary collaboration in professional development?
- Chaplains should limit learning to Catholic theological sources only
- Chaplains are encouraged to engage with healthcare, social work, and other allied disciplines (Correct answer)
- Interdisciplinary training is discouraged to preserve distinct chaplaincy identity
- Only NACC-approved instructors may provide CE to chaplains
Correct answer: Chaplains are encouraged to engage with healthcare, social work, and other allied disciplines
NACC encourages chaplains to broaden their professional development through engagement with healthcare, ethics, social work, and related fields.
NACC Certification and Professional Development 3
The NACC peer review process during certification interviews primarily evaluates a candidate's: