Chaplain Board Certification Preparation
Board Certification Preparation provides structured, practical guidance for chaplains pursuing board certification through APC, NACC, or NAJC. Learn how to approach the application process, develop strong competency essays and clinical contacts, demonstrate required professional competencies, and prepare confidently for your certification interview, with guidance from experienced board-certified chaplains. The course addresses requirements and processes across these certifying organizations, while identifying areas where candidates should consult their specific certifying body for additional requirements or guidance.
11 video lessons
4 hours 22 minutes
For chaplains seeking board certification
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Kierstin Berndt, MA, M.Div, BCC
Kierstin Berndt is a practicing healthcare chaplain and serves as a certification specialist and approved mentor of the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) since 2019. Her extensive service on board certification committees has given her firsthand insight into the certification process, and she has mentored several candidates from preparation through completion.
Kierstin’s clinical experience spans pediatrics, palliative care, adult and pediatric behavioral health, ethics, hospice, long-term care, and telehealth. She is passionate about helping chaplains demonstrate their competence, navigate certification with confidence, and continue developing their spiritual care practice. She has been a Board Certified Chaplain through APC since 2019.
Audience
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for chaplains preparing to pursue board certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), or Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC).
Independent Preparation Program: SpirituWell is an independent provider of board certification preparation and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by APC, BCCI, NACC, or NAJC. Certification requirements and processes are established by each certifying organization and may change. Candidates should consult their certifying organization for current requirements and official guidance.
Learning Objectives
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
COURSE CONTENT
Getting Started
This is a self-paced course. Select a lesson title to open it, then press play to watch the video. You can pause and return to a lesson at any time. As you work through the course, we recommend keeping your certification application materials nearby so you can apply the guidance to your own preparation.
Module 01: Overview of Board Certification Process & Application Materials
3 Lessons
63 minutes of video content
LESSON 1.1 | Introduction to BCC Application Process and Materials
Get oriented to the chaplain board certification process. This lesson introduces the application materials, the major steps candidates will complete, and the resources to review before beginning a BCCI application.
LESSON 1.2 | Overview of Written Materials
Review the main components of the written board certification application, including the 29 competency essays and 2 clinical contacts. Learn how the pieces fit together and what to consider as you plan your writing.
LESSON 1.3 | Overview of Strategies and Resources
Develop an approach to completing your written application. This lesson introduces preparation strategies and resources that can help you organize your work, interpret the requirements, and make steady progress.
Module 02: BCCI Competencies & Written Application
7 Lessons
180 minutes of video content
LESSON 2.1.1 | ITP Competencies Part 1 | ITP1 - ITP4
Learn how to approach competency essays for ITP1 through ITP4. Consider how to select relevant examples, explain the thinking behind your spiritual care, and connect your experience to the expectations of the BCCI competencies.
LESSON 2.1.2 | ITP Competencies Part 2 | ITP5 - ITP6
Continue working through the Integration of Theory and Practice competencies. This lesson offers guidance for writing about ITP5 and ITP6 with clear examples and thoughtful reflection on your practice.
LESSON 2.2 | PIC Competencies
Explore how to write competency essays that demonstrate your professional identity and conduct as a chaplain. The lesson addresses all seven PIC competencies and helps you present your decisions, responsibilities, and professional development clearly.
LESSON 2.3.1 | PPS Competencies Part 1 | PPS1 - PPS6
Work through the first six Professional Practice Skills competencies. Learn how to use specific clinical examples to show what you did, why you did it, and how your care responded to the needs of those you served.
LESSON 2.3.2 | PPS Competencies Part 2 PPS7 - PPS11
Continue with PPS7 through PPS11, focusing on how to make your practice visible to a certification committee. This lesson offers strategies for describing your skills through concrete examples rather than broad statements about your abilities.
LESSON 2.4 | OL Competencies
Prepare essays for the five Organizational Leadership competencies. Consider how your work with colleagues, teams, and organizational systems demonstrates your contribution beyond individual spiritual care encounters.
LESSON 2.5 | Clinical Contacts
Learn how to develop clinical contact essays that give reviewers a meaningful view of your chaplaincy practice. This lesson covers choosing encounters and writing about your assessment, interventions, reflection, and professional judgment.
Module 03: Board Certification Interview Preparation
1 Lesson
19 minutes of video content
LESSON 3.1 | Interview Expectations & Preparation
Understand the purpose of the board certification interview and how to prepare for a conversation about your written materials and clinical practice. Learn ways to discuss your examples, explain your decisions, and respond thoughtfully to questions.
PRICING
Self-Guided Course
Course + Writing Review
Comprehensive Preparation
How is this different from the APC mentor program?
Many chaplains find value in APC’s mentor program. SpirituWell’s Board Certification Preparation program is designed to complement those resources by providing structured guidance, practical tools, individualized feedback, and optional mentoring support throughout the certification journey.
Do I need to be actively applying for board certification to participate?
No. The program is designed for chaplains at different stages of preparation. Some participants are just beginning to explore the certification process, while others are actively preparing competency materials or interviews.
Will I receive feedback on my certification materials?
Participants who select mentoring or writing review support options receive individualized feedback designed to strengthen competency essays and other certification materials. The level of feedback depends on the support package selected.
Can this help me if I've started the certification process but feel stuck?
Yes. Many chaplains seek support after beginning the process and encountering challenges related to timelines, written materials, interview preparation, or maintaining momentum. The program is designed to provide practical guidance and support at multiple stages of certification preparation.
