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Applying for Certification
Becoming a
Certified Correctional Health Professional is the next step in
your professional advancement. It is a step toward increased
knowledge, greater professional recognition and identification
as a leader in this complex and ever-changing field.
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Attn:
Veterans!
CCHP Exam Fees May Be Reimbursable |
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The CCHP
and CCHP-A exams have been accepted into the Veterans
Administration licensing and certification benefit. Now, veterans who may be eligible for the GI
bill or the Veterans Education Assistance Program may be
reimbursed for the CCHP exam fee ($165) and the CCHP-A
exam fee ($125). Learn more...
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Application
Brochure |
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For a hard
copy of the information on this page, download the
brochure in PDF format.
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Test
Sites and Proctors Sought |
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The CCHP
program is seeking sites for future exams as well as
CCHP volunteers to proctor the exams. If you would like
to participate or need more information, e-mail us at
cchp@ncchc.org.
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FAQs |
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Find
answers to frequently asked questions about the CCHP
testing protocols.
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Eligibility
Elements of the
Application
Candidacy
The Examination
Preparing to Take the
Exam
Exam Dates and
Locations
ADA Compliance
Deferment and
Cancellation Policies
Continuing Certification
The Application
Instructions
for Submitting Your Application
Steps to
Completing the Application Process
Eligibility
Professionals from many different disciplines and work
settings have earned the CCHP designation. All correctional
health professionals who meet the eligibility
requirements are encouraged to apply. Eligibility requirements may be
modified or adopted by the CCHP Board of Trustees at its sole
discretion. The most current and complete requirements are
described here.
·
Credentials appropriate to the applicant's field and
employment position, and the requirements of the state in which
the applicant is licensed. The credentials must be free of any
restriction that would limit professional practice solely to the
correctional setting. If a license or credential is not required
for practice, then the credential is not required for
certification.
·
Good character and fitness. Character and fitness is one of the most important
components of
the
application. An applicant's record of conduct should
justify the trust of patients, employers and others.
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Successful completion of the CCHP examination.
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Elements of the
Application
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Application form
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Resume or curriculum vitae documenting education and
professional experience
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Copies of valid credentials, e.g., license, diploma (see
Eligibility above)
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Signed application statement
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Appropriate examination fees
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Candidacy
When all elements have been received and
the application has been approved, applicants will receive
acknowledgment of their candidacy to take the CCHP examination.
Incomplete applications will be kept on file for six months,
after which time persons seeking certification will need to
submit a new application and fees. A candidate must take the
exam within one year of the application approval date or the
closest date to one year that the next exam is administered.
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The Examination
Persons who meet the basic eligibility and application requirements participate in a proctored, written examination composed of
80 to 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are allowed two hours to complete the examination.
The purpose of the CCHP examination is to measure a candidate’s knowledge, understanding and application of standards and guidelines essential to the delivery of appropriate health care; the basic legal principles for practicing within a correctional health care system; the ethical obligations of correctional health care professionals; and the role of health care professionals in delivering health care in the correctional environment. The examination is not intended to measure clinical
competency. Some questions are geared toward specific settings (e.g., jail, prison or juvenile facility); others are more general in nature.
Candidates will receive their examination results in writing. Candidates who fail to receive a passing score may take the exam two additional times within a
two-year period from the date of the initial application approval. The reexamination fee is $45.
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Preparing to Take
the Examination
The CCHP Board of Trustees has developed a
study guide to help candidates prepare for the examination. The study guide
is sent
automatically to all applicants.
You also may download it here: Study Guide and
Candidate Handbook (updated May 2008)
Designed to familiarize you with the content areas covered on the examination,
the study guide provides a detailed overview of knowledge areas as well as a list of study points and sample questions. The study guide does not contain the study materials but instead is a resource to help
direct your studies. Test your knowledge by answering these sample
questions.
The following publications contain the material
covered on the examination. We strongly recommend that you
study these books to improve examination performance.
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Standards for Health Services in Prisons, 2008
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Standards for Health Services in Jails, 2008
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Standards for Health Services in Juvenile Detention and Confinement Facilities,
2004
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Correctional Health Care:
Guidelines for the Management of an Adequate Delivery System, 2001
These study materials may be
purchased from NCCHC and are available individually or as
discounted reference sets. Although the difference between
prison and jail health care delivery is significant, there
is much overlap in the jail and prison standards, so you
might consider purchasing only one of the two. See the NCCHC
catalog or call 773-880-1460.
If you do not wish to purchase the books, your employer, colleagues or library
may have these resources. Many CCHP candidates study together and
share a single set of materials.
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Examination
Dates and Locations
Examinations are offered at various dates and locations throughout the
year, including NCCHC's spring and fall conferences. Regional exams
are offered at locations across the country where there is a qualified CCHP candidate and a qualified proctor.
For regional exams, we will try to make reasonable accommodations for
accepted candidates who are farther than a
3-hour driving distance from a test center. Information on how
to request a test center is enclosed in the confirmation
packets; such requests must be made at least 90 days before the
exam date.
| Exam date |
Exam site
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Application Deadline
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February 21 |
Regional sites to include:
Little Rock, AR
Orlando, FL
Dedham, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Fort Worth, TX
Harlingen, TX |
January 16 |
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April 5 |
Las Vegas, NV
at Updates in
Correctional Health Care conference |
February 27 |
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May 16 |
Farmington, CT
at Academy of Correctional Health
Professionals Regional Seminar |
April 10 |
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June 20 |
Fairfax, VA
at Academy of Correctional Health
Professionals Regional Seminar |
May 15 |
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July 12 |
Seattle, WA
at Correctional Mental Health
Seminar |
June 1 |
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August 22 |
Regional sites to be determined |
July 14 |
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Only "regional" exams occur at multiple sites.
Accepted candidates should refer to the
confirmation packet
for information on how to request a test site in their area. |
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ADA Compliance
The CCHP program makes every effort to ensure that test centers are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates who require special accommodations must submit a written request at least 90 days before the examination date.
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Deferment
and Cancellation Policies
The exam may be deferred up to one year from the date the application is approved. A candidate must request deferment in writing at least
10 business days before the examination date for which he or she originally was scheduled.
To cancel the application, a written cancellation request must be received at least
10 business days before the examination date. The examination fee will be refunded less a $65 processing fee.
Deferments and cancellations should be directed to: CCHP Board of Trustees,
1145 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614. Fax 773-880-2424.
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Continuing Certification
Persons who receive a passing score on the examination are
awarded certification, which is valid for one year. CCHPs must
apply for continuing certification with the Board of Trustees
annually. Continuing certification requires participation in 18
hours of continuing education (at least six of which are
specific to correctional health care) and payment of the $75
recertification fee. Reexamination is not required. A new
certificate that indicates continuing certification will be
sent.
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The
Application
The easiest way to apply is online.
Alternatively, you may print the online application and send it
by fax or mail. You also may download the
Application
Brochure (PDF). To receive the brochure by mail,
contact us at cchp@ncchc.org,
or call 773-880-1460.
Instructions
for Submitting Your Application
1. Complete the application form
(online, mail or fax).
2. Read and sign the application
statement on the bottom of the form. If you are applying
online, indicate your signature by checking "yes."
3. Submit the following documentation
(mail or fax).
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Resume or curriculum vitae to document your education
(e.g., degrees, major areas of study)
and professional experience. At a minimum, list the dates and places of
employment, starting with the most recent
position, and provide a brief description of each.
- Copies of valid credentials (e.g., license,
diploma) to support your
application and resume. The credentials should be
appropriate to your field and employment position, and the requirements of the state in which you are licensed. The
credentials also should be free of any restriction that limits your professional practice solely to the correctional
setting. If a license or credential is not required for
practice, then
submission is not required.
The CCHP Board of Trustees may request additional
materials to support your application.
4.
Make
a copy of the application for your records.
5. Send
completed application form (if not applying online), documentation and payment to:
CCHP Board of Trustees
P.O. Box
11117
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax 773-880-2424
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Steps
to Completing the Application Process
Submit the application
In our experience, some applications are missing required
elements. We recommend that you submit your application early
to allow adequate time for us to receive all materials by the
deadline. Applications must be completed within six months
of initial submission.
Written confirmation
As soon as all elements of the application have been received and approved, the applicant becomes a
candidate for certification and will receive the following:
- Written confirmation that the
application has been received
- Handbook and study guide
- Exam registration form
Register to take the exam
Candidates must submit the exam registration form in order to
participate in the CCHP examination. Once
the form is submitted, the candidate will be sent an admission notice. The
admission notice and a picture ID are required to gain entry to
the examination.
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