Advanced Certification

Certified Correctional Health Professionals are eligible to apply for advanced certification after three years in the certification program. The advanced program recognizes CCHPs who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and contribution to the field of correctional health care and their relative discipline or profession.

Like the Correctional Health Professional basic program, the Advanced CCHP program does not seek to measure clinical skills. Rather, it is designed to assess experience in and knowledge of the delivery of health care services in correctional environments. Advanced certification requires the completion of a more detailed application and a passing score on a four-hour, proctored essay examination. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The examination is administered twice a year at the two major NCCHC conferences.

The Process
Certification under the Advanced program is a two-step process. First, an extensive application detailing the applicant's experience and contributions to the field of correctional health care must be completed. The application is divided into four categories:

• Education and Training assesses formal education, licenses and certifications, job-related skills and techniques, and participation in continuing education activities.
• Employment assesses time spent in the health care profession and the portion spent in correctional health care. In addition, professional responsibilities and professional achievements and recognitions are considered.
• Contribution to the Profession assesses overall involvement in the applicant's profession. Memberships in professional organizations, service to the profession (e.g., serving on boards or committees), scholarship and teaching (e.g., teaching courses, publishing articles) are considered.
• CCHP Performance/Quality of Application considers the applicant's score on the initial certification exam and the quality of the application itself. Also considered are the quality and tone of the supporting letters submitted on the applicant's behalf.

This application is reviewed by the CCHP Board of Trustees. In the event an application is not accepted, a description of the deficiencies in the application will be provided, and the applicant will be given an opportunity to submit supplemental documentation.

Once the application is accepted, applicants must participate in a four-hour proctored examination consisting of eight essay questions. The examination does not seek to assess clinical competency but rather measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge necessary for professional practice in correctional health care.

CCHP-A certification is awarded upon receiving a passing score (70%) on the examination.

Fees
The $125 application fee for CCHP-A certification is payable when the application is submitted for review. If the application is approved, a $125 examination fee is due before sitting for the CCHP-A examination. If the application is not approved on the first review, a second review of additional materials will be considered at no charge if the application is resubmitted within a one-year period.

For more details about the application process and the exam, consult the CCHP-A Study Guide, which also contains an application (updated July 2008).