Credentialing Fees
Credentialing Fees
CPEI credentialing fees support the administration of the certification process, including application review, credentialing panel interviews, evaluation of written materials, and the ongoing maintenance of professional standards.
Credentialing is a rigorous peer-review process conducted by the CPEI Credentialing Committee, which includes experienced credentialed chaplains and supervisor-educators. Candidates submit written materials that are reviewed in advance by panel members and then participate in a credentialing interview as part of the final evaluation process.
Fees associated with credentialing help support the work of the credentialing committee, the evaluation of application materials, and the coordination of credentialing interviews.
Credentialing Application Fee
The credentialing application fee supports the review of your application, evaluation of competency materials, and participation in the credentialing panel interview.
- Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC)
- Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
This fee is submitted with your credentialing application.
What the Application Fee Covers
The credentialing application fee supports several important components of the credentialing process, including:
- Administrative processing of the credentialing application
- Review of written materials by credentialing reviewers
- Evaluation of competency essays and supporting documentation
- Scheduling and coordination of the credentialing review panel
- Participation in a credentialing interview with qualified panel members
During the credentialing process, candidates meet with a panel consisting of a reviewer and credentialed panel interviewers who evaluate the candidate’s readiness for certification.
Annual Certification Fees
After credentialing, certified members are required to maintain their credentials through continuing education and payment of annual certification dues.
Credentialed members must:
- Complete required continuing education each year
- Maintain ecclesiastical endorsement
- Pay annual certification fees to maintain active status
Failure to meet these requirements may result in the removal of certification.
Additional details about continuing education and certification maintenance requirements are outlined in the CPEI Credentialing Manual.
Credentialing Review Process
Credentialing with CPEI is a peer-review process designed to ensure that candidates meet the professional competencies required for chaplaincy and supervisory education.
Applicants are evaluated based on their:
- Education and clinical training
- Professional experience in spiritual care
- Written competency essays
- Case study and pastoral care analysis
- Professional identity and readiness for certification
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements may be invited to participate in a credentialing interview with a panel of credentialed reviewers.
Important Note
Submitting a credentialing application does not guarantee certification. Each candidate must demonstrate competency in the required standards and successfully complete the credentialing review process.
Credentialing Fees – Frequently Asked Questions
The credentialing application fee must be submitted at the time you complete your credentialing application. Applications will not be processed until the required fee has been received.
Credentialing application fees are generally non-refundable once the review process has begun, as the fee supports the administrative work involved in reviewing application materials and coordinating credentialing panels.
If an applicant withdraws their application before the review process begins, refund requests may be considered at the discretion of CPEI.
No. Payment of the credentialing application fee allows your application to be reviewed, but certification is not guaranteed. Candidates must demonstrate competency in the required credentialing standards and successfully complete the credentialing review process.
Some candidates may incur additional costs depending on their situation, such as:
- Ecclesiastical endorsement fees (charged by the endorsing body)
- Transcript request fees from academic institutions
- Professional references or documentation
- Continuing education costs after certification
These costs are not collected by CPEI but may be part of the overall professional credentialing process.
In some cases, a credentialing panel may determine that additional preparation or documentation is needed before certification can be granted.
Candidates may be invited to reapply after addressing the panel’s recommendations. Additional review fees may apply for a subsequent credentialing panel.
Yes. Credentialed members are required to maintain their certification through:
- Annual certification dues
- Continuing education requirements
- Ongoing professional and ethical standards
Maintaining certification ensures that chaplains continue to demonstrate professional competency and engagement in their field.
Credentialing fees support the work required to administer the certification process, including:
- Application processing
- Credentialing committee administration
- Panel review preparation
- Credentialing interview coordination
- Record maintenance for certified members
These processes help ensure that CPEI credentialing remains thorough, fair, and aligned with professional chaplaincy standards.